EXPLORE CENTRAL
EXPLORE CENTRAL In the middle of the Island you’ll find the county town of Newport, which is surrounded by a series of smaller villages with impressive downland stretching away to the south and east.
NEWPORT
WHY GO? Shopping in Newport offers less of a distraction from mainland life than other Isle of Wight towns, but it has its own charm. Seek out independent shops including The Little Nook (thelittlenook.co.uk), which stocks a wide range of local produce, crafts, and gifts. “Zero waste” store Peach (peach-veganzerowaste.co.uk) caters for vegan diners in its cosy café. St Thomas’ Square is the place for al fresco lunch, with cafés and restaurants including French Franks (frenchfranks.co.uk) and Toto (totoiow. co.uk). Nearby, you’ll find the small Museum of Island History and Watchbell Lane, which must be the Island’s narrowest shopping street. If you’ve got a few minutes, pop into homeware and hardware store W Hurst & Sons (hurst-iw.co.uk) in nearby Holyrood Street. It’s a local favourite which offers a shopping experience which has disappeared from most mainland high streets.
Head from here down to Quay Arts (quayarts.org), which has art galleries to visit, a craft shop selling locally made gifts and a café bar with riverside terrace. This side of Newport is also home to the Isle of Wight Festival in June. Outside of festival time you can explore the park and arboretum or walk along the banks of the River Medina to see the remains of paddle steamer ship “Ryde Queen”. A short drive from Newport is the imposing Carisbrooke Castle (english-heritage.org.uk) where Charles I was imprisoned before his execution. A free alternative is the one mile walk around the Castle’s grounds. Children will love running up and down the dry moat. From the Castle, walk to Carisbrooke Priory (carisbrookepriory.org.uk) – a less well-known historic gem on the Island. The former nunnery is now a house of prayer which is free to visit. Explore the atmospheric cloisters, chapel and courtyard garden or stop for a coffee in the tea rooms. Call ahead, as it’s not open every day.
TOP TIP – MONKEYING AROUND
The number one “thing to do” on the Isle of Wight according to Tripadvisor reviews is, more often than not, the fantastic Monkey Haven (monkeyhaven.org), just outside Newport. This primate rescue centre has won several high-profile awards, with its collection of happy animals, knowledgeable staff, and an immaculate park. Once you’ve met the monkeys, head up the road to Briddlesford Farm (briddlesford.co.uk), to sample a tasty menu of fresh seasonal food from the Island’s farmers and growers at the Bluebell Café. In the school holidays you can often book onto farm tours, just don’t forget your wellies! REDFUNNEL.CO.UK
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