Cycling the Isle of Wight’s East Coast | Ryde, Sandown & Beyond

Join me on a full day of cycling adventure on the Isle of Wight, starting from Portsmouth Harbour on England’s south coast. This vlog takes you on a 50-kilometre loop around the island’s east side — with seaside villages, historic landmarks, coastal views, and a ride along the Red Squirrel Trail.

I began my journey in Portsmouth, right on the Solent — the narrow stretch of water separating the mainland from the Isle of Wight. From my hotel, it was a short cycle to Portsmouth Harbour, where I boarded the Wightlink FastCat ferry for the quick 20-minute crossing to Ryde Pier. The ferry ride itself is a highlight, gliding past the Spinnaker Tower and sharing the crossing with fellow cyclists.

Arriving at Ryde Pier Head, you immediately step onto one of the island’s oldest seaside piers, riding straight into the heart of town. From here, I followed the coast east to Seaview, a charming Victorian seaside spot with rock pools, sandy stretches, and sweeping views across the Solent. Sailing boats dotted the water, and the Seaview Yacht Club with its famous Mermaid boats added a touch of maritime history.

The route then passed through Nettlestone and into St Helens, home to one of the largest village greens in England — still used for cricket matches and fairs today. Soon after came Bembridge Harbour and the bustling village of Bembridge, often called the largest village in England. With cafés, pubs, and shops, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stop and linger.

Leaving the villages behind, I cycled past farmland and Bembridge Airport, before dropping down to the coast at Sandown. With its long sandy beach, traditional pier, and classic English seaside charm, Sandown feels like a step back in time. I paused for an ice cream before picking up the Red Squirrel Trail — an 8-mile traffic-free cycle path that follows a former railway line through wetlands, meadows, and woodland.

The Red Squirrel Trail is one of the best places to spot the island’s iconic red squirrels. Sadly, I didn’t see any this time, but knowing that the Isle of Wight is one of the last strongholds for red squirrels in England makes the ride even more special. Along the way I passed Merstone Station and enjoyed the shaded, flat paths — perfect for summer cycling.

After reaching Newport, I followed the River Medina north on a gravel path, riding past Seaclose Park and the Medina Arboretum, before detouring inland at Island Harbour Marina. At around 40 km, it was the perfect time to stop for lunch, so I dropped into The Cedars pub in Wootton for a well-earned meal.

On the return towards Ryde, I discovered Quarr Abbey, a working Benedictine monastery with a striking red-brick abbey built in 1912. Set among woodland and coastal paths, it’s a peaceful spot to explore, with ruins of the 12th-century abbey, nature trails, and even a farm shop selling local produce.

Finally, I cycled back down Ryde Pier and boarded the ferry to Portsmouth, ending the loop with sunshine, sea air, and that satisfying tired-legs feeling after a perfect day of cycling.

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Tips for cyclists planning this route:
• The Red Squirrel Trail is mostly flat but does turn into gravel in places — a gravel or hybrid bike is more comfortable than a pure road bike.
• Bring snacks or stop in villages like Bembridge or Wootton for food — plenty of pubs and cafés to choose from.
• Keep an eye out for red squirrels, especially near Merstone and in wooded areas.
• Ferries run regularly from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head (Wightlink FastCat). Bikes are easy to take onboard.

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Highlights in this vlog:
• Portsmouth Harbour & Spinnaker Tower views
• Wightlink FastCat ferry crossing to Ryde
• Cycling Ryde Pier into town
• Seaview & St Helens village green
• Bembridge Harbour & Bembridge village
• Sandown seafront & pier
• Red Squirrel Trail ride to Newport
• Lunch at The Cedars, Wootton
• Quarr Abbey visit
• Return ferry to Portsmouth

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If you’re looking for a cycling day trip in southern England, the Isle of Wight is perfect: ferries are quick and frequent, the island is bike-friendly, and the scenery is unbeatable — from seaside resorts to quiet countryside lanes.

I hope you enjoy this ride-along vlog of my Isle of Wight adventure!

🚴‍♀️ Have you cycled the Isle of Wight before? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear your route suggestions.

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Chapters:
00:00 Portsmouth Harbour & Ferry
02:30 Ryde Pier Arrival
04:10 Seaview & St Helens
07:00 Bembridge Harbour & Village
10:20 Sandown Seafront
13:40 Red Squirrel Trail to Newport
17:20 River Medina & Island Harbour
20:00 Lunch Stop in Wootton
22:10 Quarr Abbey
25:00 Return to Ryde & Ferry Back

Portsmouth, on England’s south coast is my main launch point for the Isle of Wight. It sits right on the edge of the Solent the narrow stretch of water that separates the mainland from the island. And it’s one of the easiest places to start your crossing. My plan for the day was to cycle to Portsmouth Harbour and take my bike on the ferry across to Ryde Pier on the Isle of Wight. I would map out of 50km ride around the east coast of the island and then plan to get the ferry back to portsmouth in the late afternoon. Hey guys, today I’m going to explore the Isle of Wight. Right now I’m in portsmouth and I’m going to the ferry port. Let’s go! After a short pedal through town from my hotel, I arrived at Portsmouth Harbour and boarded the Wightlink FastCat for the 20-minute crossing to Ryde. I iust got to the ferry port. Now I’m waiting for the ferry. After that we are going to cross. I’m so excited. It’s going to be awesome. I’m going to have a hot chocolate. Okay, a quick of hot chocolate before crossing the ferry. I arrived here a little bit early so I have to wait for like an hour and a 15 minutes. I’ve finally made it to the ferry now and we are about to cross. It’s a short 7km stretch of water and it was a beautiful day for it. The Isle of Wight is there. And we have about 22 minutes to cross to the Isle of Wight. The ferry passed right by Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower and there were a handful of other cyclists making the crossing too. I’m nearly there now. Arriving at Ryde Pier Head, you step straight into the Isle of Wight’s oldest seaside pier with the town and beach about half a mile away. It’s a nice ride along the Victorian Pier into town. Just arriving on Isle of Wight and I’m riding on the jetty. From Ryde I headed east along the coast towards Seaview. I just left Ryde. Now I’m heading to Seaview. Just entered Seaview and now I’m riding along the coastline. It’s so beautiful with the sun out. I stopped for a breather and to check out the beach. It was perfect weather with plenty of people out sailing. Seaview is home to the historic Seaview Yatch Club and its famous mermaid racing boats. With its Victorian seaside charms, rock pools and sandy stretches, it’s a favourite for holiday makers and nature lovers. From here you get sweeping views across the Solent, spotting ferries, yachts, and even Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower on a clear day. Finally I made it to the Isle of Wight. It’s so nice to be able to ride and explore this island. Some people are doing a sailing race or sailing lessons, not sure. There are lots of people sailing right now. Just left Seaview and now I’m heading into St. Helens. Going down some lovely country lanes. Leaving Seaview, I pass through Nettlestone before reaching St. Helens. Known for its large village green, one of the biggest in England, where cricket matches and fairs are still held. Just entering St. Helens. From there I cycle past Bembridge Harbour and into Bembridge Village, often described as the largest village in England. It’s got a lively mix of independent shops, cafes and traditional pubs. Just coming into Bembridge. So right now I’m in Culver Down and I’m on my way to Sandown. I’m about 15 kilometres now. Let’s continue. After Bembridge, I rode through rolling countryside and farmland passed Bembrdge airport tracing the coast to Sandown Just coming into Sandown. I’m by the beach at Sandown now. It’s beautiful. I can’t believe that England has a beach like this. It doesn’t look like UK. Sandown on the southeast coast is a classic English seaside resort with a long sandy beach and a traditional pier stretching into the bay. The waterfront is lined with cafes, ice cream parlours and arcades, while the calm waters are popular for swimming and water sports. Just inland you’ll find the Isle of Wight Zoo and Dinosaur Isle Museum and the surrounding cliffs and downs offer scenic walks with sweeping coastal views. I’m just gonna stop for an ice cream. Just one scoop The lemon crunch. It’s never early for ice cream. I already had breakfast before. Time for ice cream. Sit down and enjoy the view and my ice cream. Holy s**t. There’s a dinosaur behind me. Yummy. Lemon ice cream. I love lemon. I cycled along the waterfront in search of an ice cream. Just before joining the red squirrel trail which runs all the way to Newport. I just left Sandown. Now I’m heading to cycle path. I’m just joining the cycle path on the way to Newport. This mostly traffic-free path follows a disused railway line through the heart of the island. Passing wetlands, meadows and quiet villages. It’s about 8 miles from Sandown to Newport with a good chance of spotting the island’s iconic Red squirrels along the way. The route passes through Merstone and Blackwater and it’s flat, shaded and perfect for a hot day. Right now I’m riding along the old railway. It’s very nice and flat. The weather is really good today! Not much cloud. Yeah, very nice. Good temperature. The next village along this bike path is Arreton. I’m stopping now just to check where the cafe is. Just been through the Langbridge. At Arreton, the surface turned to gravel and it was quite bumpy. This road is very bumpy, gravely. I think it will be better if I’m using gravel bike or mountain bike. I don’t like it bumpy, especially on my road bike. But if it was on my mountain bike, it would be fine. I like jumping around. So I’m looking for a lunch spot now. Maybe we’ll find something on the way. I passed the old Merstone station station where I stopped for an apple fresh from the tree. I’m driving through Merstone old station. There used to be a station here. Stopping here at Merstone old train station. Behind me is the platform. So many apples here. Oh, that looks good. Mmm, juicy. Slightly sour. I’m not far from Newport now. I’m keeping my eyes peeled for red squirrels the whole way. But I didn’t spot any. The Isle of Wight is one of the few places in England where they still thrive. Thanks to the absence of grey squirrels, this means the red have less competition for food and habitat. I didn’t realize there’s going to be so much gravel on the cycle path. I hope I will not get any flat tyres today. At Newport, I followed the river Medina along a gravel path on the east bank towards Cowes. Passing Seaclose Park and the Medina Arboretum before turning inland at Island Harbor, Marina. Just entered Newport. I left Newport. Now I’m riding along the Medina River. My next stop is Wootton. Maybe I’m going to have some lunch there. By now, I had ridden about 40 kilometers and was ready for lunch. So I stopped in Wooten at a lovely pub called the Cedars, which really hit the spot. Stopping for some lunch. I was thinking to have some lunch on the cycle path before, but the cafe was closed. So yeah, I found this one. See what they have. Big burger for a little girl like me. See if I can finish this. I wanted to share it with you. Feeling better now after the food I was so hungry on the road before. I’ve finished two orange juices Now I’m ready back on the road again. This is not mine. I think the waitress just put it on the wrong table. Mint cake. I’ve never had that before Let’s go back on the road. After lunch, it was just a short ride back to Ryde via fishbourne. Just had some lunch. Came out from Wootton. Now I’m heading to Fishbourne. I’m going slow now. Too full for any hills right now. I might just find something really, really flat all the way back. Just been to Fishbourne. Now I’m on the gravel bicycle path. Along the way, I stumbled across quarr abbey a working Benedictine monastery set in peaceful countryside between woodland and the Solent shore The current redbrick abbey church, with its distinctive blend of French Byzantine, and Moorish architectural styles, was completed in 1912 and is still home to a community of monks. Visitors can explore the ground, walk the nature trails, see the ruins of the original 12th-century abbey stop at the farm shop and tearoom for local produce. All right, let’s go. I’m back into Ryde. I’m going to get a ferry to go back to the mainland. Back in Ryde, I rode down the pier and caught the next ferry back to portsmouth. Back to the pier now and in a few minutes, I’m going to get the ferry back to the mainland. It was a fantastic days ride in the Isle of Wight and I was lucky to have such a beautiful sunshine. If you are planning to do this route, I would maybe suggest a gravel or mountain bike for the cycle path as it does get a bit bumpy for a road bike. Apart from that, it’s a super ride! So I’m back in portsmouth. That was a great ride. I hope you guys enjoy watching my video.