Ventnor

The Victorian cliff railway still clanks its way down to the beach, though these days it feels more like a theme park relic than essential transport. Ventnor spreads itself across a steep hillside like an amphitheatre facing the English Channel, its terraced streets climbing from the shingle beach to the chalk downs above. The town has the slightly faded grandeur of a Victorian seaside resort that's seen better days - but that's part of its charm.

St Lawrence sits just to the west, home to the thatched church that claims to be the smallest in England. From the downs above town - particularly from St Martins Down and Appuldurcombe Down - the views stretch clear across to France on a good day. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary makes for a proper family afternoon out, while Ventnor Park Putting offers old-school seaside entertainment by the seafront.

Ventnor Bandstand overlooks the beach from its clifftop perch, hosting summer concerts that draw crowds from across the island. The surrounding downland is criss-crossed with footpaths leading to peaks like Week Down and Stenbury Down, offering some of the best walking on the Undercliff. Historic sites dot the landscape too - the Site of Cooks Castle and Worsley Monument remind visitors of the island's military past.

Reaching Ventnor means crossing the Solent first, then a drive south from Newport through Godshill. Having a base at one of the nearby parks like Isle of Wight Coastal Park makes perfect sense - you're close enough for easy beach access but far enough from the summer crowds to enjoy some peace.