What’s new on the Isle of Wight?

Looking to have a different kind of break on the Isle of Wight? If you’ve not visited over the last year, there are plenty of new places to explore. From foodie hotspots and places to stay, to new activities and well-being retreats, we’ve got you covered.

An American School Bus has joined the fleet of original American Airstream caravans at Retro Staycations on the Isle of Wight. “Texas” has been beautifully converted from its days on the highways of Houston, where it carried up to 71 children to and from school each day.

The bus is surprisingly spacious, with enough room for couples, families or groups of friends. The bus sleeps up to six, so as well as a king-size bed there are two comfy singles and a sofa bed. There’s a well-equipped kitchen, shower, indoor and outdoor dining tables, underfloor heating and a wood-burning stove.

This destination farm shop, food hall, butchery and lakeside café bar opened on the Isle of Wight at the start of summer 2022 and has since gathered a solid following from locals. Set in stunning surroundings in the heart of the Arreton Valley, overlooking lakes dug by the Brown family’s great grandfather (a well known farming family on the Isle of Wight), it’s a beautiful place to visit for a few hours or to enjoy breakfast or lunch or even an evening beer or cocktail.

Proudly nicknamed the “deli counter of dreams” by the owners, you can pick up a veritable banquet for picnics alfresco in the food hall. There are also plans to open up its seven acres of woodland for walks and connect with popular Isle of Wight cycle trails.

The Terrace Rooms & Wine opened in late summer 2022 in Ventnor, at an iconic property overlooking the water. This seaside guesthouse and wine shop is a sister property to the well-established Terrace Restaurant in Yarmouth. It has six rooms, a 300-bottle wine cave where guests can taste, learn and buy bottles, and a small restaurant serving snacks in peak summer and dinner out of season.

The new Mermaid Zest Gin was a 2022 summer hit, with the first batch selling out across the country in a matter of weeks. So make sure you don’t miss out and get your hands on the latest spirit from The Isle of Wight Distillery; the Mermaid Spiced Rum.

Visit The Isle of Wight Distillery’s Mermaid Bar for a taste.

The National Trust launched an Isle of Wight Explorer Pass which allows reduced-cost access to properties across the Isle of Wight for up to seven days in one ticket. The Explorer Pass provides access to the Old Needles Battery, Mottistone Gardens, Bembridge Windmill and all National Trust car parks on the island, too. Visitors can buy it from the Isle of Wight’s National Trust attractions in person.

Located in a 4,000 sqft refurbished barn in a disused farmyard, situated in rolling farmland with views out to sea in the South West of the Isle of Wight, Canopy Skatepark provides an all-weather skateboarding space. Designed for recreation and education, Canopy caters for all skateboarders from beginners to pro-skaters. They are working with educational provider EduDiverse which provides youngsters with high quality alternative educational experiences. Visitors can also book to stay in the small family-friendly campsite too, with 7 pitches, a bell tent and safari tent. Communal buildings are being developed for pop-up restaurants, events and courses, with Bushcraft sessions already available in a beautiful ash tree circle.

Archery tag is similar to paintballing, but with bows. Visitors can enjoy an exciting day of target practice, missions, team building and laughs.There is nothing more rewarding than winning archery tag with a team. Some of the activities on offer are agility challenges, battlezone archery, target practice challenges, speed runs and more. Does it hurt? Bowhunter’s bows and arrows are made to a high standard and on each bow is a protective foam pad which reduces the impact significantly, meaning no paintball-style pain.