10 Best Things to Do After Dinner on the Isle of Wight

As the Isle of Wight’s 2nd-largest town, Newport is home to a buzzing nightlife scene, with bars, historical pubs, and a few nightclubs centered around the High Street and the surrounding lanes. Most pubs and bars close at around 11 pm to midnight, though venues such as Fever IOW and Strings Bar & Venue remain open until the early hours.

If you fancy enjoying a tipple in a renovated church, head to The Man in the Moon, where the locals go for traditional pub grub, craft beer, and real ale. The nearby Castle Inn was once a hideout for thieves during the 16th century. Decorative touches like oak beams and flagstone floors give a nod to the Castle Inn’s past.

The seaside resort town of Shanklin is home to a variety of traditional pubs and live music venues, and many acoustic musicians showcase their skills along the seafront. You’ll find most indoor venues in Shanklin Old Village, mostly centered around the High Street and the Esplanade. Most venues close at 11 pm.

For drinks with ocean views from a terrace, head to a pub such as The Chine Inn or The Waterfront Inn along the Esplanade. If you’d prefer to embark on a pub crawl through the Old Village, start at The Falcon and head south along the High Street towards King Harry’s Bar. You’ll pass around a dozen bars and pubs along the way.

In the seaport town of Cowes, you can visit a handful of popular pubs and bars that line the High Street, with many offering views over the River Medina to the neighbouring town of East Cowes. On the northern shore of Cowes, you can take in sunset views from the Egypt Esplanade or the nearby Gurnard Beach.

You’ll find most of the bars in Cowes near the marina. We recommend starting your evening at Cowes Ale House before making your way north along the High Street towards The Union Inn. Some of the most popular venues in the area include Pier View, Compass Bar, and The Painters Arms. Head to the Fountain Inn Hotel to enjoy drinks in an 18th-century pub.

Gurnard Bay is one of the most idyllic coastal attractions on the Isle of Wight, home to a shingle and sand beach backdropped by beach huts, grassed areas, and a historic promenade. As the sun goes down, Gurnard Beach is one of the island’s best spots to watch the sunset, with hues of orange and red bouncing off the Solent.

Gurnard Bay is just a short walk from hotels including The Woodvale Hotel, The Blue House, and 36 Marsh Road. After watching the sunset, head to the High Street in Cowes, where you’ll find a variety of pubs and bars overlooking the River Medina.

The Bugle Coaching Inn is a 16th-century pub located just a stone’s throw from the harbour in Yarmouth’s Market Square. While the pub’s real ale menu is extensive, it also offers a range of dishes made with local produce. You can either sit in the charming interior or in the garden during summer.

Because The Bugle Coaching Inn has a play area, children’s menu, and baby-changing facilities, it’s an ideal place to visit with the family. The pub remains open from noon to 10 pm daily. While you’re in the area, you might want to check out the nearby Yarmouth Castle, which was constructed under the orders of Henry VIII.

The Hambrough Restaurant and Bar offers panoramic views of Ventnor Harbour, thanks to being perched on top of a hill near the coast. Its menu features an extensive range of cocktails, ales, and fine wines, plus a selection of dishes prepared by its award-winning chef. You can also indulge in an afternoon tea in the venue’s Secret Garden area.

On top of being a popular food and drinks venue, The Hambrough Restaurant and Bar is a highly regarded hotel. If you’re staying at the hotel or nearby, we recommend waking up early to watch the sunrise from Ventnor Beach. After, you can explore the Ventnor Heritage Museum, which remains open until 1 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Opened in 1936, the Commodore Cinema is one of the oldest cinemas on the Isle of Wight, and it remains the island’s only independent cinema. The locals love the Commodore for its old-school style and discount days. It’s one of the best venues to soak up the local heritage or catch the latest blockbuster after dinner.

You’ll find Commodore Cinema in the centre of Ryde on Star Street. Discounted tickets are available on Saturday mornings and all day every Monday. While walk-in customers are accepted, ordering your tickets online in advance is encouraged.

Shanklin Theatre is the Isle of Wight’s largest theatre with a seating capacity of 615. It's where over 150 shows in genres such as comedy, music, and dance are held every year. The building that houses the theatre was originally constructed in 1879, though it was largely rebuilt in the 1930s following a fire.

If visiting during the summer, we recommended watching the stage show Beyond the West End, which is an annual production performed by an Isle of Wight-based entertainment company. While inside the theatre, don’t forget to check out the historical Map Room, which served as a local command and control centre during WWII.

Hike to Saint Catherine’s Oratory if you want to observe the stars while visiting the Isle of Wight. This medieval lighthouse is located on top of Saint Catherine’s Down. From here, you can see the island’s southern coast and Chale Bay. You can also learn about the site’s history as a prehistoric burial mound.

We recommend hiking to Saint Catherine’s Oratory just before sundown so that you can watch the sunset before seeing the stars. Other top spots for stargazing on the Isle of Wight include Freshwater Bay, Newchurch, Whale Chine, and Saint George’s Down.

The Electric Woods Festival of Light takes over the woodlands of Robin Hill each year for an entire month in autumn. After sundown, the woods become a spectacle of creatively themed colour, sound, and light. In the past, themes have included Chinese New Year and the Hindu Festival of Diwali.

You’ll find Robin Hill in the small settlement of Downend, which is located about 2 miles east of the town centre of Newport. You can reach Robin Hill by taking bus number 8 or 68 from Newport to the Downend bus stop.