Edwardian seaside resort on UK’s sunniest island to be huge this summer – one very famous local reveals where to visit
A PRETTY English seaside village often overlooked by tourists is set to be even more popular this year.
Seaview on the Isle of Wight was named the top trending coastal destination in the UK by Tripadvisor.
As part of its Summer Travel Index 2025, the Edwardian village was named the top place that is seeing soaring demand.
It has been popular with some famous people in previous years – Margaret Thatcher previously rented a cottage in Seaview when visiting the island
Sir Ben Ainslie once lived on the island, but put his £3.5million house on the market last year.
And on the outskirts of the village is Woodlands Vale, which was visited by Queen Victoria.
The village once had a pier that connected the island to destinations such as Portsmouth.
Opening in 1881, it closed in 1951 due to major storm damage and was demolished the following year.
Now, the main activity for tourists visiting Seaview is sailing, with an annual Regatta every summer.
There is also the main Seaview Beach, as well as Seagrove Bay.
The most popular place to grab a bite is The Old Fort, a gastropub right on the seafront.
Having won a number of wards including Best Seaside Pub and the Isle of Wight‘s Pub of the Year, some tourists have said it was the “best meal they’ve had in a while”.
And gin lovers can head to the Isle of Wight Distillery on the edge of the village which makes the popular Mermaid Gin.
If you want to stay longer than a day, there are a number of B&Bs in the village too.
However, the main hotel is the Seaview Hotel which dates back to 1901 with both rooms and even a cottage you can rent.
Or there is the more affordable Northbank Hotel with 18 rooms in the converted Victorian house.
Boats from Portsmouth take just 45 minutes to reach Seaview.
The Isle of Wight is also home to the country’s only floating train line.
It is also the only part of the UK to have more than five hours of sunshine on average per day, according to research, carried out by The Independent.
What else to do on Isle of Wight
Ex-Radio 1 DJ and Bestival co-founder Rob da Bank shared his top tips on what to do on Isle of Wight.
Following the opening of his floating sauna, he said: “Ten years ago, there were very few attractions on the Isle of Wight that appealed to younger families, but it’s an incredible place to live.”
Here are his favourite places:
- Tapnell Farm – a “mini world for families”
- The Cow Restaurant & Bar – “one of the best burger joints on the Isle of Wight”
- Smoking Lobster – “pan-Asian sushi with a coastal twist”
- Salty’s Pizza – “great for families”
- The Needles – “favourite place to take kids”
- Newton Creek – “a very beautiful place with seals and wildlife”
- Tennyson Down trail – “it is a good family walk because it’s not too steep”
- Windmill Campersite – “the best campsite in the world”
The island was even named the best place for a caravan holiday.
And the Sun’s Gardening Editor recently visited Isle of Wight – here’s how to do a holiday there.