Bembridge

Seafaring history runs deep here, with working boats still bobbing in the harbour while the famous Bembridge Windmill - the Isle of Wight's only surviving windmill - stands sentinel on its hill. This easternmost tip of the island feels properly maritime, shaped by centuries of fishing, sailing and the occasional shipwreck.

The harbour fills and empties with the tide twice daily, creating a constantly changing landscape that locals never tire of watching. Bembridge Heritage Centre tells the story of how this community has lived alongside the sea, while the working harbour remains very much alive with yacht clubs and fishing boats sharing the water.

Beyond the maritime scene, the town spreads inland across gentle downs and farmland. The Duck Pond offers a peaceful spot for families, and the surrounding countryside is crisscrossed with footpaths leading to clifftop walks and hidden beaches. Charlotte Hodge Thomas gallery showcases local artists inspired by this dramatic coastline.

Getting here means catching the Red Funnel from Portsmouth to East Cowes, then a pleasant 20-minute drive across the island's rolling landscape. Alternatively, the Wightlink ferry from Portsmouth Harbour lands at Fishbourne, equally convenient for the short hop to Bembridge.

A holiday park base near Bembridge puts you at the island's quieter eastern end, away from the summer crowds that descend on Shanklin and Sandown. From here, you can explore the dramatic Culver Down, walk to Whitecliff Bay's fossil-hunting beaches, or simply enjoy having one of the island's most atmospheric harbours on your doorstep. The location works brilliantly for those wanting to experience island life at a gentler pace.