Isle of Wight Coast Path

The Isle of Wight Coast Path stretches the entire perimeter of the island - roughly 67 miles of cliff-top and beach walking that delivers proper coastal drama without the crowds you'd find on the mainland. Starting near Ventnor, you can tackle it in sections or go all-in over several days, and each stretch feels genuinely different. One moment you're edging along red sandstone cliffs with the English Channel spreading endlessly below, the next you're dropping down to shingle beaches and hidden coves where you might spot seals.

Walkers will absolutely thrive here - the path's well-maintained, signposted throughout, and rarely feels touristy even in high season. History enthusiasts should clock the Victorian fortifications near Sandown and Shanklin; geology types will spend hours photographing the multicoloured cliff strata. Families can do manageable day walks rather than the full circuit; kids don't get bored when there's a clifftop scramble every thirty minutes and ice cream waiting in the next village.

It's free to access. Allow anywhere from two hours for a coastal section to two weeks if you're doing the full loop. Early spring and autumn offer the best weather and visibility - summer gets rammed with school holidays.

Stay at Warren Hill Camp, just 3.3 miles away, or Grange Farm Camping and Cottages if you want a proper base. Both put you within striking distance of the path's eastern sections near Ventnor. You'll do a lot of walking, but the views more than justify aching legs.