Shopping trip

A little retail therapy is usually on the menu when you are on your holiday, whether it is a spot of window shopping, finding a gift for a friend or relative, or wanting to take a little flavour of the Wight home with you.

The Isle of Wight has an abundance of independent shops catering for everything from Island food and drink to homeware, gifts and clothes.

The high streets of towns such as Cowes, Ventnor and Ryde are buzzing with these independent retailers so why not Say Yes to spending a couple of hours browsing. There are always pubs, tearooms and cafes dotted among them if you have built up a thirst or are feeling a bit peckish.

The Isle of Wight is well known for some of its home grown produce – why not take a trip out to taste and buy what we grow. We also have plenty of large national stores selling everything from groceries to electrical items; they’re the perfect complement to our local shops. You’ll find shopping on the Isle of Wight is a bit like the Island itself; distinctive, unique and very special!

Town centres to tantalise

If you are heading to Ryde, the Isle of Wight’s largest town, then an amble down Union Street will take you past a whole host of quirky little shops, with restaurants, bars and cafes entwined in the street scene.

It’s a similar set up in Cowes where the home of yachting is also a superb shopping destination and Ventnor has a traditional High Street feel.

Over in Shanklin, Regent Street is another thriving shopping area while the county town of Newport is a good mix of local shops, eateries and national chains.

The villages of the Island have lovely local shops and Godshill is always popular for a stroll with a little light shopping. Bembridge also has the “butcher, baker, candlestick maker” blend to serve locals and visitors’ needs.

Several Isle of Wight towns have retro shops selling books, records, fashion and home goods from different decades.

If you go out of town, there are lots of great options to find a gift or a tasty treat.

Isle of Wight Pearl in the west of the Island offers some lovely jewellery and a café with stunning views, while Oasis on the outskirts of Brading has some classy furniture brought to you from suppliers across the world.

A flavour of the Wight

Shopping on holiday is often about finding something lovely to eat or drink and visitors to the Isle of Wight will find no shortage of amazing, tantalising local produce to buy.

While many supermarkets and convenience stores stock a small selection, where better to pick up Isle of Wight meat, cheese, bread, fruit and veg than at a farm shop.

There are lots of these dotted around the Island with a number even having their own cafes.

Four Island breweries are selling their beers and with two vineyards and the Mermaid Gin, Rum and Vodka available in many outlets, you won’t be thirsty wither.

Of course, if you don’t drink alcohol there are coffee roasters whose beans are ground in cafes and restaurants, while Island apple juices is available.