St Helens village

St Helens is, in many ways, a typical English village, with cricket and a pub on its central village green and a warm community spirit. But it has much more on offer, not least the seafront and The Duver, a wonderful sandy dune area adjoining Bembridge Harbour.

As well as the pub there are a couple of village restaurants as well as much more drinking and eating choice in adjoining Bembridge.

The village greens offer plenty of space for children of all ages to let off steam.

Things to do

Make sure to visit The Duver. This lovely spot was once a Victorian golf course which housed the Royal Isle of Wight Golf Club, amazingly, rivalling St Andrews in the early days of the sport. It is now a fascinating spot to look for wildlife including great bird life and fascinating flowers. Walk the path across Bembridge Harbour back to the village.

Take a bat and a ball and have a game on the greens, there are three of them running through the heart of the village.

Pack a picnic and go for a day on the beautiful beach. The colourful beach huts in old railway carriages provide a cute backdrop to the sands.

Walk across the Embankment, maybe stopping off for seafood at The Best Dressed Crab, to Bembridge, with its shops, pubs, restaurants and beaches.

Places to eat and drink

Ganders Restaurant is situated on The Green and offers an a la carte menu, Sunday lunches and mouth-watering home-made desserts. Also on The Green is The Vine Inn, with seating outside to watch the cricket and good pub grub inside. Choose a cocktail or an ale to go with your meal. 

Across the Embankment in Bembridge there are some great pubs, from the clifftop Crab and Lobster with its stunning vistas to the harbourside Pilot Boat, home to the Wight Knuckle brewery.

The Birdham has recently had new owners, courtesy of an established Isle of Wight pub owning family. It offers a great range of pub classics.

There are food choices for all tastes but be sure to check out the seafood at The Best Dressed Crab on the harbour between the two villages.

For a traditional English restaurant in the heart of Bembridge, try Fox’s Restaurant, which serves great food using locally-sourced ingredients.

Places to stay

St Helens is not short of bed and breakfast and self-catering choices, including Old Mill Holiday Park, with its stunning views over The Duver and Bembridge Harbour.

The biggest holiday park in the area is St Helens Coastal Resort, with luxurious lodges and classic caravans, just a stone’s throw from St Helens beach. It boasts a seasonal outdoor pool, adventure playground and landscaped grounds.

If you are looking to get away from it all, the National Trust has a couple of gorgeous properties in St Helens.

Firstly Old Church Lodge, a stone cottage at the entrance to St Helens Duver. This two-bedroom property is a delight.

Then there is The Old Club House Cottage on The Duver itself. This quirky three-bedroom wooden property was once the clubhouse for the Royal Isle of Wight Golf Club.

Another self-catering option is Yar Quay, a charming three-story home on the banks of the River Yar, overlooking marshes and the marina.

For a luxurious stay, in a stunning location, take a look at Warner Leisure’s nearby Bembridge Coast Hotel.

Tourist information

St Helens doesn’t have its own point but over in Bembridge, there is the Tourist Information Point in the village library in the centre.

Getting there and getting around

Nearby Ryde provides ferry links with the mainland thanks to Wightlink and Hovertravel and there are Island Line rail stations at Ryde and Brading.

Southern Vectis number 8 buses serve the village as do The Island Coaster and Downs Breezer summer services.