A lovely little town with loads of charm and a definite nautical air. It’s a delight to stroll around, with good coffee shops and pubs and, at 700 feet, the longest timber pier in England.

The towering white cliffs of Tennyson Down shelter this attractive cove. The beach is covered in a mixture of grey flint and chalk pebbles that make a unique sound as the waves rise and fall onto the shore. Explore the rock ledge revealed at low tide, which is great for rock pooling with little ones. A fantastic place to set out on several invigorating walks.

Designed by architect Isaac Jones, this thatched church with wooden bell turret was built in 1908 on land in Freshwater Bay donated by Hallam Tennyson, son of the Victorian poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Made of stone from an old farmhouse on Hooke Hill, Freshwater – the birthplace of the natural philosopher, architect and polymath Robert Hooke, it is the only thatched church on the Island.

Home and workplace of the internationally acclaimed Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Dimbola became a focal point for a crowd of bohemian writers and poets, such as Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson and Lewis Carroll. Today it houses a programme of changing exhibitions and also has an award-winning Tea Room and Gift Shop.

The children will love this amusement park above Alum Bay – so much to see and do. Take an exciting chair lift down to the beach below, visit The Sweet Manufactory or the interactive 4D cinema experience! Don’t miss the glass blowing display or make a souvenir in the Sand Shop.

This imposing monument to Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the Victorian poet laureate stands on the highest point of Tennyson Down on the former site of the old Nodes signal beacon that used to give warning of invasion threats. Tennyson often walked the Down and is famed for saying “The air is worth ‘sixpence a pint.’

Colwell Bay is a peaceful spot, a short walk from the bus stop and offers fine views of the local shoreline, across the Solent and over to Hurst Castle on the mainland. Bask in the sun while enjoying an ice cream or something more filling at one of the friendly eateries.

This park follows the coastline and has spectacular views over to Hurst Castle on the mainland. There are seashore and woodland walks and it’s a great spot to sit and watch Solent boats and shipping go by. There are attractions in the old fort buildings – a planetarium, café, model railway and the Underwater Archaeology Centre.

A lovely little town with loads of charm and a definite nautical air. It’s a delight to stroll around, with good coffee shops and pubs and, at 700 feet, the longest timber pier in England.