Godshill | Charming village on the Isle of Wight

Picture in your mind the quintessential English village and chances are it will look a lot like Godshill.

On your visit to the Isle of Wight make time to Say Yes to a visit this lovely slice of England with its thatched buildings, Medieval church and even its own model village!

Set in the very heart of the Isle of Wight’s rolling countryside, there is so much to see in and around Godshill.

Whether you are a history buff, just enjoy strolling through a village or are love your food and drink, this little community has plenty to offer and is popular with visitors and locals alike.

Things to do

Number one on a list of things to do on a visit to Godshill has to be a trip to the Model Village Godshill. This lovely attraction is centred around miniature recreations of Godshill (of course) and Shanklin Old Village. The level of detail is incredible and there are lots of quirks to spot as you go round the attraction. The model village is linked to the Royal Horticultural Society thanks to its beautiful gardens setting.

All Saints’ Church in Church Hill is a beacon that is visible from miles around. This 14th century church has an unusual layout, with a double nave and chancel of roughly equal width, small transepts, porch and north west tower, mostly in sandstone. There are also a fascinating series of tombs of notable people from the area.

Godshill’s shops prove a popular draw for visitors. The Old Smithy next to the village car park and some interesting outlets up the main road make for a great bit of browsing and purchasing. The Isle of Wight Farm Shop on the outskirts of the village has a mouthwatering array of Isle of Wight meats, cheeses, fruit and veg, plus much more.

Godshill Orchards is a soft fruit business which produces cherries, plums and apricots.

For the walkers, there are paths off the main road through Godshill to Appuldurcombe (the now disused mansion home of the late Sir Robert Worsley), via the Freemantle Gate.

If you fancy a spot of carp fishing, the lakes at Nettlecombe Farm in the nearby village of Whitwell have good stocks of fish in a beautiful setting.

Places to eat and drink

Godshill is the home of the cream tea on the Isle of Wight with several popular tea gardens along the main road.

Scrumptious breakfasts and lunches can be had at Cook + Baker.

The Taverners pub has a great reputation for taking local produce and creating mouthwatering dishes.

The other pub in the village, the newly refurbished Griffin is popular with families and has a kids’ play area.

At nearby Rookley, the Chequers Inn has long been a favourite with Island families and visitors alike, being known for great roasts on a Sunday and a big children’s playground and indoor games room.

Places to stay

There are a number of bed and breakfasts and self-catering options in and around Godshill. One of the most decorated is Koala Cottage, which has a five star AA award to its name.

The Lakes at Rookley is ideally situated in the centre of the Isle of Wight. It offers top-notch lake houses and a number of other accommodation options as well as indoor and outdoor pools as well as other entertainment.

High quality self-catering accommodation for up to ten people is to be had at Rookley Farm Lodge, with its own pool.

Families will have a brilliant time at Nettlecombe Farm at Whitwell. This family-run farm has nine award-winning cottage units in its grounds as well as fishing in its lakes and the chance to feed the animals with the farm staff.

Godshill Park Barn is country bed and breakfast at its best with the peace and tranquillity only being broken by the occasional baa of a lamb.