Diamond Isle, Isle of Wight accommodation, self catering accommodation, Niton, Isle of Wight

"Great value... beautiful countryside and fantastic coastline... very peaceful." Mr & Mrs C, Staffs

A few minutes' walk away and steeped in old smuggling tradition, unspoilt Niton village still retains much of its old charm with thatched stone cottages and ancient inns serving cask ales and home-cooked food.

Shops include an excellent food market & off-licence, post office & newsagents, butchers (lovely homemade sausages!), chemists and bookshop. Local churches of all main denominations include the tiny 12th century Old Church at St Lawrence.


	One of the most outstanding views on the whole Island is actually right on your doorstep. Follow the Coastal Path up from outside Westcliff's car park and you'll find it opens out onto miles of rolling hills and fields, St Catherine's Lighthouse below and a vast expanse of ocean. Heading further up on a clear day rewards with a breathtaking sight: the octagonal "Pepper Pot" (Britain's last remaining medieval lighthouse), the exhilarating cliffs up around Brighstone, Compton and Freshwater Bay, then past the Needles and right across the Solent to the Dorset coast beyond.

Down the lane from what one guest called our "rambler's paradise", enchanting Castlehaven Cove, Puckaster Cove and Reeth Bay on Niton's coast offer a glimpse back in time. Small boats, seaswept shacks and ramshackle groynes... it's almost like looking at a painting from centuries ago.

Nearby Whitwell has fishing lakes, a beautiful old church and fabulous food at the White Horse. Venture further to St Lawrence, for Isle of Wight Glass and its local glassmakers demonstrating their skills and selling their wares, and there's yet more fine dining at the Inn at St Lawrence (a microbrewery and locals' favourite).

Towards Ventnor exotic goats, llamas and miniature donkeys (!) compete for your attention at the Rarebreeds and Waterfowl Park, and the sheltered sub-tropical climate provides the Botanic Gardens with its famous collection of plants from around the world in a beautifully landscaped setting.

Ventnor is the closest main town - the self-styled 'antiques shop capital' of the Isle of Wight with its steep Mediterranean terraces and exuberant architecture also has a lovely park and duck ponds which are illuminated on summer nights. Down on the seafront, the Spyglass Inn is justly famous for its local crab and lobster, steaks and specials board, a relaxing drink and superb views across the Bay.

These are just a few suggestions for the South Wight area alone! The Isle of Wight has so many attractions to suit all tastes that we couldn't even begin to cover them all. However for those new to the Island (and as a reminder for the seasoned visitor), you'll find some guides and booklets in the chalet which we've put together to make your stay even more enjoyable.