Aerial view of Ryde Pier and Ryde, Isle of Wight

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Top tips for your visit to the pretty Victorian town of Ryde on the Isle of Wight

A ticket to Ryde

Isle of Wight

Ryde

View across to The Needles, Isle of Wight

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The Isle of Wight Coastal Path is an undeniably beautiful hiking route—offering every kind of coastal landscape imaginable

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Newtown Creek, Isle of Wight

Hiking the Isle of Wight Coastal Path from Ryde to The Needles

Things to do

Yarmouth

Wightlink ferry, St Clare on the Solent with the Isle of Wight in the background

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Whether you travel frequently to and from the Isle of Wight or you’re planning your first Wightlink ‘cruise’ you may be curious about some of the landmarks you can see from the ferry.

Spy on The Solent...

Lymington

Mainland

Portsmouth

Wightlink

Child descending a tree with Goodleaf Tree Climbing, Isle of Wight

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Goodleaf Tree Climbing was started by New Zealander Paul McCathie in 2015. In this blog, Paul shares some information about why Goodleaf Tree Climbing is a popular Isle of Wight adventure activity, and how you can get involved.

Climbing trees with Goodleaf on the Isle of Wight

Appley Beach in Ryde is perfect for families with young children. There’s a playground, a café, well-equipped toilets, and a lovely sandy beach on which to build sandcastles. There’s a pushchair and wheelchair friendly walk along the shore, and, if you want to bring your dog, the Seaview end of the beach is dog-friendly.

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Appley Beach

The Royal Esplanade is a 70-bedroom Victorian Grade II listed hotel offering a range of bed and breakfast and half board short break options.

Harry’s Bar and Brasserie, based within the hotel, offers a delicious range of food for all appetites and has a good range of wines, real ales, beers and cocktails. You’ll also find a coffee lounge, open to residents and non-residents, which is perfect for tea and cakes.

Perfectly situated on Ryde Esplanade, it’s within walking distance of glorious sandy beaches, the gorgeous Ryde Harbour, Ryde town centre and our <a href="https://www.wightlink.co.uk/facilities/ports/ryde">Ryde Pier Head FastCat port</a>.

The Royal Esplanade Hotel

Ryde Pier is a fascinating historic structure. It's the UK's oldest pier and the second-longest seaside pier in the country.

The original structure opened in 1814 and was extended in 1824 and by 1842 it had reached its current length of half a mile.

The pier is really three piers in one – the second was built in 1864 to support a horse-drawn tramway which ran from the pier head all the way through Ryde to provide a connection for steamer passengers with the original rail terminus.

In 1880, big mainland rail companies built the third pier to carry a double-track rail line from the pier head down to Ryde Esplanade then through a tunnel to join the original rail terminus. This opened up steam train travel to the ferries from all rail connected parts of the Island. Today, repurposed London underground trains have replaced the steam trains.

The horse tramway was eventually cut back to its pier section between the promenade and railway piers, remaining in use operated by steam, electricity and petrol rail cars until 1969.

The tramway compromised of two parallel single tracks, each with a petrol-engine tram and trailer car. For thousands of holiday makers, the ride down Ryde Pier on the tram was their first experience of the Island.

Ryde Pier

Who doesn’t want to be a racing driver? Well, now’s your chance. Don your own racing suit and helmet and enjoy the thrill of the track at <a href="https://www.wightkarting.co.uk/">Wight Karting on the Isle of Wight</a>.

Based near Ryde, not far from <a href="https://www.wightlink.co.uk/facilities/ports/ryde">our FastCat port</a>, Wight Karting boasts a fantastic all-weather, floodlit, 520 metre track, ideal for all ages and all levels of expertise.

If you’re coming to spectate, watch with a drink from La Babalu licensed bar or take the best vantage point from the balcony. Parking is free or the track can be easily reached on bus.

There are a huge range of races and events to choose from, including Junior Track Days and private events, so bring along your family, friends, work colleagues or classmates for an exhilarating day out. <a href="https://www.wightkarting.co.uk/">Check the Wight Karting website</a> for any deals and to book your visit.

Wight Karting

<ul class="dolist">
<li>Start location: Ryde or Brading</li>
<li>Difficulty: Moderate</li>
<li>Ride distance: 15 miles</li>
<li>Ride duration: 1.5 hours</li>
<li>Places to stop for food &amp; drink</li>
<li>Viewing &amp; rest stops en route</li>
</ul>
Skirt the Island’s coastline through the little Edwardian resort of Seaview and surprisingly large village of Bembridge to historic Brading before returning along roads and country lanes. Lots of opportunities for a swim and pit stop en route.

Ryde to Brading cycle route

<ul class="dolist">
<li>Start location: Pier Entrance, Ryde</li>
<li>Difficulty: Moderate</li>
<li>Walking distance: 8 miles</li>
<li>Walk duration: 3 hours</li>
<li>Places to buy food &amp; drink</li>
<li>Viewing &amp; rest stops on route</li>
<li>Family friendly walk</li>
</ul>
The eight mile amble from Ryde Pier, the second longest in Britain, to the floating bridge at Cowes offers plenty of contrasts. You’ll walk through woodlands and past the ruins of old Quarr Abbey and the new Abbey built in 1912 and still home to an order of Benedictine monks, who welcome visitors. Another home – royal this time – is Queen Victoria’s beloved Osborne House, where you can visit the State Apartments, private rooms and stunning gardens leading down to the beach.

Ryde to Cowes walking route

<ul class="dolist">
<li>Start location: Pier Entrance, Ryde</li>
<li>Difficulty: Easy</li>
<li>Walking distance: 2 miles</li>
<li>Walk duration: 30 minutes</li>
<li>Places to buy food &amp; drink</li>
<li>Viewing &amp; rest stops on route</li>
<li>Family friendly walk</li>
</ul>
This two mile amble from Ryde Pier to Quarr Abbey is perfect for all the family – whether it’s a stroll with the kids, to work up an appetite for lunch, or just to get some room to breathe on your day trip from the mainland. Landmarks include Binstead Church, and, of course, Quarr Abbey. Extend the walk by five minutes and stop off for lunch in the Fishbourne Pub Dining Rooms.