Freshwater

Freshwater is situated in the West Wight and is known as a town although some still regard it as the largest village in England and is made up of a host of hamlets, some still known and some which have vanished; including Norton Green (Norton), Afton, Middleton, Easton, Weston (now part of Totland), Freshwater Bay and Colwell.

There have been a few famous people reside in Freshwater during modern history, notably the famous poet and poet laureate from 1850-96 Alfred Lord Tennyson and Julia Margaret Cameron - a famous photographer of celebrities in the 18th century. Their homes are open to the public: Alfred Lord Tennyson’s home Farringford House is a hotel with large grounds and it’s own golf course, and Julia Margaret Cameron’s home Dimbola Lodge is now a photographic museum.

Around the Freshwater area there is plenty to see and do for the whole family:

• Compton Bay Beach is uncommercialised and very popular during the summer
• Freshwater Bay Golf Course situated on Afton Downs
• The Famous Needles at Alum Bay has visitor attractions, a fort and lighthouse, and 21 different coloured sands
• West Wight Sports Centre with athletics track, 2 swimming pools, gym and many courses available

Freshwater has local shopping facilities and two supermarkets, a couple of B&B’s, Hotels and Self Catering Sites, and public houses.

Be it visitor attractions for the children, lazing around on the beach soaking up the sun, or taking a stunning cliff top walk along Tennyson Down, Freshwater is worth a visit during your stay at the Isle Of Wight