Freshwater is situated at the western tip of the Isle of Wight and consists of Freshwater Village and Freshwater Bay. Freshwater village offers a good selection of small independent shops, cafes and the West Wight Sports Centre and Indoor Swimming Pool. The magnificent high chalk cliffs, rolling downs and delightful beaches at Freshwater Bay and nearby Compton Bay attract many visitors and surfers all year round. The renowned Freshwater Bay Golf Club, which overlooks the English Channel has stunning coastal sea views from most tees and offers a superb day out for golfers of all abilities, whilst the area is a haven for birdwatchers, cyclists and walkers with many wonderful walks to be enjoyed not only on West Wight but across the entire Isle of Wight criss-crossing over a much varied island landscape. Locally, Afton Down (the location of the famous 1970 Isle of Wight Music Festival), and Tennyson Down are the most popular walks. At the foot of Tennyson Down is the Dimbola Museum and Photographic Galleries. The Needles Pleasure Park at Alum Bay with its coloured sand cliffs and chairlift to the beach is just south west of Freshwater, plus a little further afield on the north coast of the Isle of Wight is the premier yachting centre of Cowes. Osborne House (the former home of Queen Victoria) is located at East Cowes. The nearby Farringford Hotel on the edge of Freshwater Bay was once the home of the British Poet Laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson, and many notable poets, authors and painters have been attracted to the area of West Wight over the years. With the seaside town of Yarmouth close by with its busy harbour and pier, shops, inns, eateries and impressive Tudor castle, this is an ideal base for an enjoyable holiday.
