The 'English Med' is a cool, creative hub without the crowds of St Ives. When Sophie-May Williams first moved to the Isle of Wight from Brighton in 2021, she worried about being cut off from a creative community. On the East Sussex coast, she had nightly gigs, street performances, and festivals at her fingertips. The island seemed sleepy and distant, with little to offer a girl in her mid-20s except better tanning conditions. Last year, Condé Nast Traveller named Ventnor beach one of the best in the UK. But how naive she was. Five years on, she is watching the place she loves and calls home have a moment in real time. Fuelled by a thriving DIY arts scene, an emerging food scene, and a growing wellness space, this diamond isle is as unique as its shape.
Bohemian Energy in Ventnor
Ventnor is where the magic happens. This tiny seaside town is perched on a cliff on the south of the island, enveloped by St Boniface Down. Its rolling hills are steeped in centuries of Anglo-Saxon and maritime folklore. On a clear day, you can see for over 70 miles, from Beachy Head to Normandy. Ventnor also has Italianate vibes, thanks to its pastel-coloured villas and zig-zag hill leading towards the seafront. The feel of the place is bohemian, like stepping back to the '70s. Daisy Jones & The Six wouldn't feel out of place here.
Ventnor Exchange is the island's creative pulse, an independent venue and record store that is one of the favourite places to hang out. There is always something going on, whether it is a book club Sunday, a creative writing Monday, or a sketcher's workshop Thursday. The Exchange team are also behind Ventnor Fringe Festival, which the Sunday Times described as 'one of the country's most surprising and inspirational arts festivals.' Every July, the town is transformed into a world of pop-up venues and bars in every conceivable space, including gigs in 11th-century chapels and laundrettes. It is soon set to become an island-wide, year-long event with the creation of the Exchange Arena, a huge circus tent that will pitch up in different towns for two weeks at a time, complete with theatre, comedy, and musical performances.
Ventnor is also the town that gave Wet Leg their first gig. In 2019, the Grammy and Brit award-winning band played a low-key, intimate show at the now-closed The Rose Inn. Later, they recorded their first NPR Tiny Desk concert at the Exchange. This year, you can catch them at the Isle of Wight Festival, another island calendar staple. As soon as you set foot in Seaclose Park, where the festival is held, it is like being transported back to the summer of love. Ferris wheels, camper vans, and vintage stalls spill out onto the fields. Stages like Cirque de la Quirk and Kashmir Café promote an independent feel, showcasing everything from immersive cabarets to indie folk performances. The latter is a volunteer-run stage, with all profits directly supporting Quay Arts, the island's leading art gallery and venue. This year, the stage is set to welcome both local artists and emerging acts from all over the UK, including funk fusion from North Wales-based band Hunzz and alt-rock island band Pet Lounge. Standard weekend tickets cost £320.
Best Island Events for Summer 2026
- Joyride Festival is a new multi-day event centred around cycling, wellness, and music, set within the grounds of Northwood House. There will be guided rides across the island's coastal and countryside routes, curated wellness programmes, and Michelin star dining.
- Garlic Festival celebrates the famous locally grown bulb with everything from garlic beer (an acquired taste) and popcorn to ice cream.
- Cowes Week is celebrating its 200th year. As the world's oldest and largest sailing regatta, expect cool coastal vibes, open-air bars, and waterfront entertainment.
A Wellness Movement
You do not have to travel to Finland to experience sauna culture. Head to Slomo instead, a wellness concept from Rob and Josie da Bank (who also founded Bestival). The couple have two locations on the island — Tapnell Farm and The Point at Bembridge — where you can experience Scandinavian-style 'contrast therapy.' At Tapnell, relax in the UK's original floating sauna on the lake. In Bembridge, invigorate your senses in a wood-fired sauna followed by an ice bath or a dip in the sea. Fancy some refreshments? The Point also houses a bar and pizza truck right on the beach, where you can grab locally brewed beers from Wight Knuckle Brewery, or a G&T from Mermaid Distillery. Slomo Sauna sessions start from £15 per person per hour for a communal sauna session, and £120 for a private group of up to 14 people. If you are in the market for something that combines wellness and creativity, Department, a new cultural space in Ryde, is launching neon and yoga workshops in July. The experience will start with a short yoga session, before experts teach you how to make your own neon light designs.
A Communal Food and Drink Culture
'The Isle of Wight has quietly become one of the UK's most exciting food and drink hotspots,' Xavier Baker, co-founder of Mermaid at the Isle of Wight Distillery, tells Metro. 'There's a real collaborative energy among local growers, chefs, and food artisans that's helping to put the island firmly on the culinary map.' Mermaid is legendary on the island, from distilling award-winning rum, gin, and vodka on site (Lush actually uses their Salt Vodka in its products) to offering tasting experiences. Toby, one of the company's distillers, also runs monthly open mic nights at their bar.
Back in Ventnor, there is a new all-day concept from the team at Smoking Lobster — one of the favourite places to dine on the isle. The Prep Room, coming this summer, will operate as a seafood restaurant by day, before transitioning into a tiki-style cocktail bar by night. Braai, a farm-to-fork pop-up restaurant on the historic Nunwell Estate, is also a highlight. Every summer, locals and visitors gather for a communal barbecue feast. Last year, Sophie savoured everything from roasted halloumi in garlic butter to flame-grilled meats. A cookout of dreams.
Where to Stay on the Isle of Wight
The island has plenty of accommodation options to suit every traveller. For boutique hotel vibes, nothing beats The Terrace Rooms & Wine in Ventnor. Run by husband and wife duo Ashley and Tom Fahey, the hotel was recently nominated for the Condé Nast Traveller Reader's Choice Awards. Rooms start from £250 per night. Looking for self-catering options? The Lighthouse in Steephill Cove is the ultimate coastal spot. Perched right on the beach, the house lives up to its nautical name, offering panoramic views of the ocean from every room. The accommodation sleeps up to six people, and rates start from £147 per night. Finally, for something a little different, book a houseboat on Bembridge Harbour. Bembridge Houseboats has two boats up for rent: Islay and Eleuthera, which can sleep up to 10. Prices start from £250.
