East Wight

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The largest town on the Isle of Wight, Ryde has been named 'The Gateway to the Island', and for good reason. The catamaran from Portsmouth docks at the end of Ryde Pier. Here the connecting train can take you as far as Shanklin. Next to the pier and Ryde Esplanade bus station is the hovercraft terminal, which links to the mainland in less than 10 minutes. The town offers several miles of sweeping golden sandy beach with great for swimming for all the family. The busy town and sea front is packed with pubs, restaurants and shops and in late summer it holds the oldest carnival in the U.K.

Situated on the most easterly point of the Isle of Wight is the village of Bembridge. It has a good mix of shops, pubs, restaurants and art galleries and is a popular sailing centre with a delightful harbour and pleasant beach with rock pools. It is also home to The National Trust Windmill, the only one to survive on the Island and Bembridge Airport, the only hard surfaced runway on the Island.

St Helens lies in a coastal position between Bembridge and Seaview. The Village Green is the centre of village life, providing cricket and football pitches, children's playground and seats, as well as views right across Bembridge Harbour. It also offers a local shop and two good restaurants. The village also plays host to an annual carnival, which takes place in August. A short walk down to The Duver, a spit of shingle and sand, will present you with stunning views of the Solent and St Helens Fort where you will find a popular beach with a hugely popular beach restaurant and bar.

At the eastern end of Ryde sitting comfortably along the coast, lies the delightful village of Seaview, aptly named for its extensive outlook of the Solent. A busy sailing centre in the summer, Seaview offers safe sandy beaches ideal for windsurfing, swimming and paddling. In the High Street and nearby are many good shops, cafes and restaurants and within a few miles of the village there are several riding stables, golf courses and a wildfowl and bird park.

Cottages in East Wight