Isle of Wight town information

Cowes (approx 12 Miles from Brambles Chine)

Cowes is the Island's main port with a natural harbour at the mouth of the Medina river. Yachtsmen from all over the world participate in the season's prestigious sailing events, of which the best known is Cowes Week, held annually at the beginning of August.

Cowes offers excellent shops, many catering for the yachting and fashionable clothing shops, gift shops, delicatessens, cafes, restaurants and lively pubs.

The high speed passenger catamaran service to Southampton as well as the Red Funnel car ferry to Southampton operates out of East Cowes which can be reached via the chain ferry.

East Cowes is where you will also find Osborne House, the former seaside holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Ryde (approx 16 Miles from Brambles Chine)

Ryde is just a short sea crossing from Portsmouth or Southsea. With the construction of the pier, in 1814, and the establishment of a regular ferry service in 1825, the town became an elegant Victorian seaside resort.

It offers miles of glorious golden sand and shallow coastal waters that extend all the way around the coast to Springvale and Seaview. The tide goes out a long way, leaving firm sand ideal for beach games.

Shanklin (approx 18 Miles from Brambles Chine)

Shanklin is full of interesting small shops. Sheltering cliffs provide the ideal suntrap position for the seafront Esplanade, where there is a pier and chair lift. Shanklin offers safe bathing from a sandy beach, water sports, car parks, hotels, amusements and a host of pubs and restaurants.

In Shanklin old Village you will find picturesque cottages clustered around the thatched Crab Inn which now become craft and gift shops or restaurants. Shanklin Chine is a dramatic fissure in the rock where a 45 ft waterfall cascades through boulders and ferns to the shore.

Godshill is just a short distance away from Shanklin. Godshill is famous for its picture postcard scene of thatched cottages around the hill top church and has a number of visitor attractions.

Sandown (approx 19 Miles from Brambles Chine)

Sandown seafront is just yards from the town's shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants, with easy level walking along the broad promenades and sea wall.

Safe bathing and a mild climate with consistently high placing in the UK's sunshine records provide the essential ingredients for a summer holiday.

You will find deckchairs, beach huts, water sports and the pier, which dates from 1879 and now provides all weather amusements and the opportunity to walk out over the sea.