Freshwater Village
Freshwater is a large village in West Wight and is a popular destination for visitors with the spectacular Freshwater Bay area lying to the South of the main village.
The bay is easily recognised by its chalk cliffs and the imposing “Stag” and “Mermaid” rocks that sit at the edge of the coast, which are a magnet for photographers on the Isle of Wight.
The Needles Landmark Attraction is situated on the land next to the Needles rocks (a short drive from Freshwater Bay) and is a great place to ride on the carousel, try zorbing, see the 4D cinema or hop on the chairlift and head down to the beach below. Adventure Activities offers various water activities at Freshwater Bay and also land activities at their site in Totland.
Freshwater village is the main shopping area that services the West of the Isle of Wight with a number of established stores and a supermarket. There are two churches in Freshwater which are worth a visit, the medieval All Saint’s and the thatched church of St Agnes which is in the Freshwater Bay area. Freshwater Bay has a fantastic pebble beach which is very popular all year round for swimming, walks and boating, and from here it is easy to access the coast path in either direction.
Tennyson Down (named after the local poet Alfred Tennyson) which rises above Freshwater is worth the steep walk as it opens up to some of the best views on the Isle of Wight and runs along to the iconic Needles rocks and lighthouse at the most Westerly tip of the Island. At the top of the downs you will find the striking granite cross of the Tennyson monument. On the opposite side of Freshwater is Afton Down, which provided the location of the famous 1970 Isle of Wight Music Festival.
At the south end of these downs is a golf course which provides players with fantastic views in all directions across the Isle of Wight.
There are various options for places to eat around Freshwater village and the Bay. If you are looking for something lighter, or an ice-cream to enjoy in the sun there are a couple of cafes at Freshwater Bay or for something more substantial there is the Dimbola museum and tearooms at the foot of Tennyson Down, which have recently won an award for their inventive décor. Many of the hotels in the area also have established restaurants and eateries, and there are various take-aways and restaurants in the main village.