Warner Hotels in the Isle of Wight

Bembridge Coast | Norton Grange

With 57 miles of gorgeous coastline and the space to truly switch off, it’s easy to see why the island’s pull is as strong now as it’s ever been.

This lovely little island will take you back to the time of family-run tea rooms, thatched roofs and ice cream by the sea. What's more, you'll find Neolithic history, South American mammals, a Mediterranean climate and a village within a village – of all the lists of things to do on the Isle of Wight, this might be the most eclectic. It might be hard to believe that you’ll find animals from the Andes rubbing shoulders with horticulture from the Himalayas, but these are just some of the many unique experiences the Isle of Wight has to offer.

See breaks in the Isle of Wight

Compton Beach

12 min drive from Norton Grange / 46 min drive from Bembridge Coast PO30 4HF

Compton Beach stretches over two miles flanked by sandstone cliffs in a patchwork of colours and ends with Freshwater’s famous white chalk cliffs. The steps to the beach are a little steep, but the chance to take a guided walk through actual dinosaur footprints might just be worth the trek.

Sandown Beach

10 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 39 min drive from Norton Grange PO36 8AT

One of the isle’s most popular tourist resorts, Sandown features miles of golden sands and a pleasure pier full of traditional arcade games, ice cream vendors, and the sound of the waves lapping gently beneath the wooden boardwalk.

Cowes Old Town

33 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 27 min drive from Norton Grange PO31 7DF

Home to Queen Victoria’s seaside residence Osborne House, Cowes is a bustling town centre filled with independent shops, cafés, and restaurants (and more than a few classic British pubs). East Cowes is accessible via a unique chain ferry, while the museums and galleries offer a glimpse into the island’s history.

Shanklin Old Village & Chine

19 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 42 min drive from Norton Grange PO37 6BW

The leafy valley of Shanklin Chine, with its winding riverside walk and aviary, is hidden away behind thatched roofs, boutique gift shops and family-run tea rooms in the hilly Shanklin Old Village, one of the Isle’s oldest settlements.

The Needles

14 min drive from Norton Grange / 58 min drive from Bembridge Coast PO30 0JH

Don't miss The Needles Old Battery Victorian Fort and New Battery rocket testing station. Both of these National Trust Properties sit high above the Needles, providing a birds-eye view of the Solent and unspoilt countryside.

Perhaps the most postcard-friendly picture on the Isle of Wight, the chalky outcrop is just the tip of the iceberg for this iconic landmark. There’s also a chairlift ride with panoramic views of the area, glass makers, sweet makers, and a sand shop.

Freshwater Bay

8 min drive from Norton Grange / 44 min drive from Bembridge Coast PO40 9RA

West Wight’s famous pebbly beach might be a bit unsteady underfoot, but daily guided tours of the old pirate caves bring alive the unique history of the Isle of Wight like nowhere else. There’s also a range of cafes, bars, and tea rooms to enjoy while you’re there.

See breaks in the Isle of Wight

Ryde Beach and Seafront

18 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 38 min drive from Norton Grange PO33 1JA

Picture a traditional pleasure beach – that’s exactly what you’ll find at Ryde. Soft sand, a boating lake with swan pedalos, a classic amusement arcade and, of course, good old fish and chips, all with a panoramic view of Portsmouth.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

24 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 28 min drive from Norton Grange PO33 4DS

Travel back in time to the sights, sounds and smells of steam trains on the Isle of Wight. From tank engines to larger, tender locomotives, the 10-mile round trip across the island stops at three stations along the way, one of which also features a bird of prey sanctuary.

Quarr Abbey

24 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 33 min drive from Norton Grange PO33 4ES

Surrounded by woodlands, coastline and formal gardens, this working Benedictine abbey is built on the site of the original Quarr Abbey, whose 14th-century ruins still stand within its grounds. Quarr also boasts an orchard of over 200 fruit trees and a traditional tea room for visitors.

Mottistone Gardens & Estate

16 min drive from Norton Grange / 40 min drive from Bembridge Coast PO30 4EA

Nestled in the rolling downs, Mottistone Gardens are home to a millennia of history that includes a legendary 4m-high sandstone pillar, supposedly thrown by St Catherine in a wager with the devil himself. The estate is set on a 6,000-year-old Neolithic long barrow.

Godshill Village

24 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 31 min drive from Norton Grange PO38 3LD

Established in 1952, Godshill Model Village recreates island life in intricately detailed miniature – and the full-size village isn’t bad either. The medieval church is home to one of only two lily crucifix paintings in Europe, and the thatched roofs of the high street sit over classic tea rooms and gift shops.

West Wight Alpacas

32 min drive from Bembridge Coast / 40 min drive from Norton Grange PO38 1UL

Ventnor is protected from cold northerly winds, resulting in a Mediterranean microclimate in the heart of the Isle of Wight. The garden is home to a wide range of subtropical plant life that won’t grow anywhere else in the UK, scuttling wall lizards, secret passageways and an underground mushroom vault.