General:
Situated in the quieter, more rural 'West Wight', there are many local attractions for all the family to ensure an enjoyable holiday. Close by is the yachting centre and ferry port of Yarmouth, one of the oldest towns on the Isle of Wight with its harbour and castle. Freshwater, the shopping centre for this part of the Isle of Wight, is only a few minutes drive.
From Yarmouth Pier you can take motor launch trips. Sail to Alum Bay and on to the Needles, or take a fishing trip. There are trips to Bournemouth and Swanage, Hurst Castle and Lymington Market. Perhaps the finest walk of all the picturesque walks on the Island is from Freshwater Bay over Tennyson Down, commemorating the great Poet Laureate, to Alum Bay. Places to visit nearby include the famous Alum Bay with its coloured sands and chairlift; The world famous Needles lighthouse; Colwell, Totland and Compton Bay for bathing and boating; Victoria Country Park, Yarmouth Castle; Calbourne Water Mill, Island Pearl and Chessell Pot
Walking & Cycling:
The Isle of Wight has over 500 miles of scenic walks. On your travels you will chance upon some secluded villages of thatch and stone, ancient churches and manor houses. Leafy lanes wind their way from coast to coast through green valleys, meadows and forests providing some of the best walks in Britain, with Tennyson Down being a particular favourite amongst ramblers.
The Isle of Wight offers many other means of visiting the Islands other tourist attractions. A number of cycle lanes span the Island, which together with a number of off-road routes provide something for everyone, from leisurely outings on a summers evening to all-day rides for the cycling enthusiast. The all weather cycle ways provide easy access to Newport and Cowes thus enabling easy access to attractions such as Cowes Week and Osborne House.
Public Transport:
The small towns of Freshwater and Yarmouth are nearby with local shops and churches. The Afton Down Golf Club is only two miles away. Buses linking Yarmouth, Freshwater and West Wight run at the end of Monks Lane at least every hour. There is also an open top bus between Yarmouth and Alum Bay in the summer.
Finally the Isle of Wight is well catered for by bus and trains. Particular favourites are trips on the Islands open top buses which travel around the Island, providing an interesting perspective of the countryside and villages it passes through. The Island Line train service also provides scenic trips from the passenger ferry at Ryde to Sandown and Shanklin
