Karla & Ozzy's guide to howlidays on the Isle of Wight

Sandown Beach

We love going to the beach on the Isle of Wight and highly recommend Sandown Beach. Outside of the high season, dogs are allowed on most beaches – including Sandown -  with restrictions in place from 1st May to 30th September. However, the nearby Yaverland Beach (left of the groin) is dog friendly year- round, so even in summer there are still plenty of dog-friendly beaches for your furry friend to enjoy and take a dip. During the colder months the Island’s beaches are much quieter, and on a chillier day, you might even find you have the whole beach to yourselves to run, dig and play!

With miles of golden sand, Sandown Beach feels like you’ve travelled abroad whatever the time of year – it’s picturesque, tranquil and the locals are all super friendly. This beach even has a pier where you’ll find fish & chips, ice creams, amusements and more – though the pier itself is not dog-friendly.

Why Ozzy loves Sandown Beach: Plenty of space to sniff and explore. Extra points when the beach is empty! 

Firestone Copse

This dense forestry England managed woodland offers free all year-round access and is home to a wide variety of trees such as Oak, Ash, Douglas Fir and Cedar. You’ll find yourself following the circular path under the canopies, fully immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. Firestone Copse is one of the prime locations for spotting red squirrels, jays, woodpeckers and is wheelchair accessible with a car park and flat (but stoney) pathways through the woodland. 

Why Ozzy loves Firestone Copse: Designated off lead areas allowing time to roam the forest freely.

Parkhurst Forest

Parkhurst Forest is another great location for spotting beautiful red squirrels in their natural habitat. There is even a designated hide where you can quietly wait for them to appear – they are notoriously shy!
Ozzy loves this walk because of how quiet and calm the environment is. He absolutely loves running free along the many pathways and exploring all that Parkhurst Forest has to offer. There are even designated picnic areas for the warmer months so you can spend a day in nature. 

Why Ozzy loves Parkhurst Forest: Perfect for quiet and calm walks. 
 

Snacks & Ladders Board Game Café

This dog friendly board game cafe on the Isle of Wight is the perfect place to spend a rainy day!

The staff are super friendly, welcoming and even provide your pooch with a basket of goodies when they arrive, so they’re not left out of the fun and are well taken care of. The gift basket includes a blanket, a beautiful biscuit for your pooch and a water bowl.

Snacks & Ladders have over 800 games to choose from, paying just £3.50 per person to stay and play! They also have a great menu to choose from. We highly recommend visiting here and have been on multiple occasions.

Why Ozzy loves Snacks & Ladders Board Game Café: Basket of goodies on arrival!

Rocket Ronnies

Rocket Ronnies is a pool hall and sports bar in Newport and is also dog-friendly, offering pool, darts, music and more. We visited Rocket Ronnies twice on our Isle of Wight visit and couldn’t recommend it more. The staff were so down to earth, the environment wasn’t loud or overstimulating for Ozzy it was just right – though Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings can be a little more lively and it might not be suitable for a more sensitive pooch. 

We spent a few hours playing pool, darts and listening to our favourite songs on the jukebox. So if you’re wanting to escape the rain or have a fun filled evening, then be sure to head to Rocket Ronnies. 

Why Ozzy loves Rocket Ronnies: Great for people watching and spending the evening out with your owners.
 

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