Spend your time in this laidback coastal village perusing independent shops and eateries, walking the coast, and looking for birds or enjoying some watersports in many of the surrounding bays.

And whether you're looking for fun-packed outdoor activities or indoor attractions for rainy days, there's no shortage of unique things to do in Freshwater.

Tapnell Farm Park

If you're looking for a family-friendly, all-weather attraction with something for everyone, look no further than Tapnell Farm Park.

Head 2.5 miles out of the centre of Freshwater and meet the farmyard animals, including miniature donkeys, pigs, and alpacas or go on a walkabout and spot wallabies and meerkats. You’ll also find a soft play area, trampolines, a zip wire, pedal karts, mini golf and a football shoot-out area.

And don’t forget to pack your swimming costume, as it's also home to the island's only outdoor aqua park, which boasts 20 obstacles with giant free-fall slides. Afterwards, tuck into an award-winning homemade burger at The Cow Restaurant & Bar and enjoy a stunning view across the island from the mezzanine level. 

Freshwater, Totland and Colwell Bay

If you appreciate your beaches, you're well placed in Freshwater, as the area is home to some of our favourite beaches on the Isle of Wight. Freshwater Bay itself is a dramatic pebble beach set under imposing chalk cliffs, offering a gorgeous spot to swim or walk. 

Around the Needles Headland and up the coast, you'll find the secluded beach of Totland Bay with a 2.5-mile shoreline, views across to the mainland, and a 450-foot-long Victorian pier. Or a couple of miles further up the coast, you'll stumble across Colwell Bay, a sandy beach with picturesque Solent views and a relaxed atmosphere. 

All the bays allow dogs out of peak season, but restrictions are usually in place between May and the end of September. For more of a leg stretch or to appease your dog, all bays boast easy access to the coastal path, which offers numerous walks. 

Take the 7-mile Tennyson Down trail to The Needles along the highest chalk cliffs in West Wight and take in the Tennyson Monument, soul-stirring views out to The Needles, and a visit to the National Trust's Old Battery.

The Needles

Just down the coast, you'll find The Needles, a true Isle of Wight bucket list spot. These three stacks of chalk towering some 30 metres out of the sea are the sight many think of when they bring the island to mind. Swing by when you're in Freshwater and take the chairlift down to Alum Bay for a gorgeous view, or take a boat trip for a closer look at The Needles, multi-coloured sand cliffs, and the iconic lighthouse. 

There are plenty of other things to keep you busy at the attraction, from a sweet manufactory and 11-hole mini golf to a 4D cinema and teacup rides. The attraction is dog-friendly, though they are not allowed indoors or on the chairlift. 

After exploring, tuck into a wedge of handmade cake at Marconi’s Licensed Tea Rooms, or for bigger meals and an excellent value family meal deal, head to Café Marconi’s. 

Farringford Historic House and Gardens

To learn more about the famous Poet Laureate, take a tour of Farringford. The Grade I listed house was home to the Victorian writer, who lived here from 1853 until his death in 1892. Seeking peace from the business of London, he moved here with his family. The tranquil setting attracted many of his friends over the years and became a buzzing epicentre of culture and artistic activity on the Island. 

House tours run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from late April until early October. You'll need to book and allow an hour and a half for the tour, as well as leave yourself some time to explore the gardens (one of the best gardens on the Isle of Wight).

Dogs are welcome in the restored gardens and parklands, but not inside the house. It's also worth noting that there is no gift shop or café, so it's worth taking a picnic to enjoy in the grounds. 

Tennyson Down and Monument

A walk to Tennyson Down is a must for both keen ramblers and literary lovers alike. Not to mention your dog! The 147m high grassy chalk ride is named after Alfred, Lord Tennyson, one of England's leading Victorian poets, who was said to have walked here often during his time on the Island, remarking that the air here was worth "sixpence a pint".

Take a stroll in his historic footsteps and take in the prehistoric sites and 360-degree views of the Island, the English Channel, and the mainland. It's a fantastic spot for wildlife too, and along your stroll you could spot peregrine falcons and Adonis Blue butterflies. You also can't miss the Tennyson Monument, a staggering Cornish granite cross, erected in 1897, to commemorate the Poet Laureate.

Dimbola Museum and Galleries

At 48, with six children, Julia Margaret Cameron was given her first camera by her daughter, who wrote: "It may amuse you, Mother, to try to photograph during your solitude at Freshwater". Over the next few years, more than amusement was gained, and she went on to become one of the most important portraitists of the 19th century. Her signature style was soft-focus, close-ups of famed Victorians, and her work regularly featured themes from Christianity and literature. 

You can get to know her work better with a trip to Dimbola, her former home and workplace. Inside, you'll find a series of galleries and museums that showcase her life and work, as well as contemporary exhibitions of photographers from around the world.

Afterwards, pop into the delightful Dimbola Tearoom, once the home's salon where Julia Margaret Cameron entertained guests. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in both the museum and the tea room.

Fancy a Freshwater getaway? Peruse our selection of holiday cottages in Freshwater and start planning your next Island adventure now.