8 must-see historical attractions on the Isle of Wight

There are lots of amazing attractions on the Isle of Wight to visit on your holidays, and top of the list should be these incredible old buildings. From castles and forts to a royal recidence and a Roman villa, this small island is full of fascinating history that offers fun for people of all ages.

1. Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Isle of Wight. Famous for the imprisionment of King Charles I, this well-preserved castle in Newport also has a good museum and lovely Edwardian inspired gardens the adults will love. Kids will have fun meeting the castle’s donkeys and watching the jousting events.

The castle is open from March to November and costs £20 for a family of 2 adults and 3 children.

2. Yarmouth Castle

Yarmouth Castle located near Yarmouth Marina in the north of the island is a wonderful family attraction with fantastic views over the Solent - an ideal for a place to relax and have a picnic. The castle was built by Henry VIII in 1547 and the interior reveals a rich and fascinating history via informative exhibitions which recreate how the rooms in the castle were once used.

There are great facilities on site including a gift shop and a children’s play area which includes Tudor games and books. Tickets for entry are £4 for adults and £2.40 for children and the castle is open between March and October.

3. Quarr Abbey

Quarr Abbey is a monastery situated not far from the villages of Binstead and Fishbourne in the north-east of the island. This abbey was founded in 1132 and is steeped in history and religion: it was the centre of island life until the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII in 1536. Monks returned to the abbey in 1912 and these days a small community of monks continue to run the monastery and the farm attached to it.

The Isle of Wight is extremely proud of this grade I listed national treasure and it is considered one of the most important religious buildings in the UK. You can enjoy tours of the monastery, a wonderful tea room and farm shop and a gift shop as well as an art gallery showcasing work from local artists. Quarr Abbey makes an interesting visit and is a great way to spend the afternoon.

4. Brading Roman Villa

Located in the town of Brading, Brading Roman Villa is one of the best Roman sites in the UK revealing a unique insight in the life of Romans Britain. The site is famous for its amazing mosaic floors and there is an excellent Roman artefacts and archaeology.

There are fun, interactive displays to keep the kids interested, a café, shop and a Roman garden and meadow trails the whole family will love exploring. The whole site is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is not to be missed. A family ticket costs £20 and you can visit the villa every day from 9.30am-5pm.

5. St Catherine’s Oratory

Overlooking Chale Bay on top of St Catherine’s Hill you will find St Catherine’s Oratory - a fascinating medieval tower that is also thought to have been used as a lighthouse. Built in 1328, the tower is octagonal in shape and stands on top of one of the highest points of the island, part of the Tennyson Heritage Coast. Historians believe the tower was built as a penance by Walter de Godeton, a local landowner who stole casks of wine from a shipwreck nearby in Chale Bay in 1314.

The tower can be visited for free and dogs are welcome in the area, so that plus the wonderful views make this a great place for a stroll. It is advised to wear appropriate footwear as there is no established footpath to the tower and the grass can be slippery when wet. Car parking is available nearby, as is the White Mouse Inn, an ideal spot for a refreshing drink or lunch break. 

6. Osbourne House

The Fabulous and grand seaside palace of Osbourne House in East Cowes was once a royal residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Built between 1845 and 1851 as a summer home and rural getaway for the royal family, this stunning attraction providesan intimate look into the families’ lives as your tour its many rooms. Don’t miss the breath-taking views out across the Solent from the terraces.

There are beautiful and peaceful gardens to explore and you can also discover Queen Victoria’s Beach - a once private beach where the nine royal children played and learnt how to swim. The beach is now fully open to the public for all to enjoy. Adults tickets are £13.40 and children tickets are £8, do check online for opening times and these vary throughout the year.

7. The Needles Battery

The Needles Battery located on the very western tip of the island was built between 1861 and 1863 to guard against possible invasion by the French. A newer battery was built in 1895 because the cliffs were beginning to crumble due to concussion from firing the guns. Both the old and new batteries later provided important defence during the two World Wars.

The Victorian buildings on site house a small exhibition telling the battery’s dramatic story and you can also enjoy spectacular views over the Solent and the Needles rocks – in fact, this is the closest view you can get of these famous landmarks from land. There’s also a quaint tea room to relax in. There is a small entrance fee and the battery is open most days of the year.

8. Bembridge Windmill

The historic windmill in Bembridge was built around 1700 and was in use until 1915. It is the only surviving windmill on the island and has become one of the island’s iconic buildings. Owned by the National Trust, visitors will be spoilt by the magnificent views of the countryside from the top of the 4 storey tower and you can also learn how the windmill worked, what life was like for workers in the windmill and see most of the windmill’s original machinery still intact. The site is open from January to October and there are pleasant walking trails nearby too.

As this list shows, the Isle of Wight is rich in history and historical attractions. These buildings make brilliant days out for people of all ages, with stunning architecture to admire, stories and histories to discover and, on top of all that, the chance to see some of the most beautiful views on the island.