Seaview
Seaview sits to the eastern end of the town of Ryde, known for its Edwardian charm and maritime culture with picturesque views across Solent.
This sailing village is one of the Island’s most desirable places to live and is home to some of the best beaches on the Isle of Wight including Seagrove Bay and Priory Bay which boast panoramic views towards the mainland, the Solent sea forts and passing ships and ferries.
It is a magnet for sailors and seafarers too with a strong nautical heritage, its very own sailing club and an annual sailing regatta.
The Seaview Regatta is an annual event held in mid August. There are lots of activities to watch, or take part in, including sailing, tug of war, beach sports, swimming, diving & rowing. The regatta concludes with a grand firework display!
On our visit, the first thing we did was to take a stroll around the Hersey Nature Reserve, known for its open water marshland and meadows, which attract an amazing array of birds and wildlife.
Whilst we were lucky to go on a beautiful sunny day in February, wellie boots were a must, due to the muddy pathways from the recent rainfall. During our walk, we spotted these graceful swans grazing on the wetlands. It’s such a peaceful setting and a must for you avid bird watchers and nature lovers.
The reserve details a list of the birds that you can spot at certain points of the year.
- Grey Hernon (Can be seen all year round. Will often stand motionless in shallow water then dart its head down to catch fish, frogs and other prey)
- Common Tern (A summer visitor to the UK, the common tern is a little like a gull but has a forked tail, Terns are expert divers and nover overhead to pinpoint fish below)
- Moorhen (Common all year round, often seen on streams and ponds)
- Cormorant (A supreme fisher and can often be seen standing prominently with its wings out, after diving to feed)
- Mute Swan (A familiar and elegant wetland bird)
- Coot (Found on ponds and lakes all year round around the coast in winter. All black body apart from its beak and a white shield on its forehead)
- Kingfisher (Seen on lakes, wetlands and rivers all year round, moving to estuaries in winter. Surprisingly hard to see, usually just a blue flash and a piercing whistle)
- Little Egret (This continental bird first arrived in Britain in the late 1980s but is now a very common sight, especially along the shores of the Solent. It looks and behaves exactly like a small white heron)
- Brent Goose (A winter visitor to coastal areas. This small goose often appears in large and noisy flocks)
- Oystercatcher (Feeds on shellfish it finds in the mud and shallow water, cracking them open with its powerful beak)
From here we wanted to grab a bite to eat in the village and do some window shopping! It’s only a short walk from the Reserve to the village.
We took the scenic route along the sea wall, the tide was in and we did get a little wet from the waves crashing into the wall, so do be careful and check the tides. The path took us towards the Old Fort, a seaside pub and restaurant in the heart of Seaview. We stopped and had an indulgent hot chocolate to warm us up, with marshmallows and cream! It was to die for!.
We carried on along the seafront and took the public footpath to Circular Road and on through to the High St. We decided to carry on down Pier Road to Seagrove Bay. In summertime the beach is best known for its windsurfing, surfing, kayaking. It was so lovely to stop and take in the breathtaking views and remind ourselves at how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful place.
With our tummies rumbling we took ourselves back up along Pier Road, there are some amazing little shops here, such as This and That which is full of Island related items for your home. When you turn the corner you are in the heart of the village, which is lined with more unique independent shops and cafes.
We decided that we would try out Lilys Cafe, which has sandwiches & baguettes, coffees, teas and delicious cakes. I had one of the best homemade brownies I had ever tasted! They are also vegetarian friendly and offer gluten free options as well as vegan. Why not take your dog for a walk and enjoy some lunch at Lilys, they are dog friendly too! A great pit stop after exploring Seaview.
Places to eat in Seaview
If you are looking for something more substantial to eat, here are a few of our favourite places.
The Old Fort is a multi-award winning seaside pub & restaurant in the heart of Seaview. It is located right on the water’s edge on the Esplanade and has an outdoor beachfront patio that offers sweeping panoramic views of the Solent.
They serve a mix of delicious pub classics, through to mouth watering daily specials, and are always looking to provide fresh, local and seasonal produce! As well as catering for Vegans, Vegetarians, Gluten Free and Dairy Free – So there is something for everyone to enjoy! There are amazing dishes to choose from, superb food at a lovely new designed restaurant, we definitely recommend!
They are also dog friendly so, if you have a four legged friend with you, then they welcome well behaved dogs outside on the patio, and downstairs in the pub!
The Boathouse, situated on the fringe of the chic village of Seaview is an idyllic beachside venue offering quality dining by the sea. They pride themselves on offering superb ales and an extensive wine selection to compliment their award winning food.
Puckpool Point features a natural sheltered bay offering a large expanse of sand and a gently sloping beach, which becomes very popular with tourists and local residents during the summer season. There is a promenade leading the whole way along to Ryde which is perfect for a stroll or bike ride.
Puckpool Park is just a stone’s throw away from the beach. There is a children’s play area, crazy golf and tennis courts, as well as lots of grass space for games and picnics! During the summer months there is an outdoor cinema at Puckpool; Pictures in The Park, hosted by The Old Barracks Restaurant and Tea Gardens.
What to do in Seaview?
The best thing to do in Seaview is explore by foot. There are some amazing coastal routes to take, especially the Ryde to Seaview / Seagrove Bay. A great walk for all the family with amazing views along the way. The route is suitable for pushchairs, although the path is a little bit bumpy at the Seaview end, and it has plenty of places to stop on route for refreshments.
If you wish to continue the path, past Nettlestone Point and the well-known Priory Bay which is approximately a ten-minute walk from the village of Seaview. This stretch of beach can only be reached at low tide and is filled with white sand and offers excellent swimming conditions.
Dog Walkers
Seaview bay is a great place to take your four-legged friend, although dogs are not permitted on the beach here between the 1st of May and the 30th of September. However, a little further along, Seagrove Bay is dog friendly all year round! The beach does disappear at high tide, so it is a good idea to check the tide table before you visit! You can find the tide times here.
Staying in Seaview
Our Seaview holiday homes offer something for everybody. We have 2 chalets at Salterns Village, just a stone’s throw away from Seaview Beach and the Hersey Nature Reserve. These 2 bedroom chalets, with a private decking area are pet-friendly and perfect for those bucket and spade moments.
Our beach fronted 3 bedroom converted Victorian Boathouse is on the shores of Seagrove Bay, with stunning views of the Solent. This spacious, contemporary home compliments its surroundings with a seaside feel. It is also pet-friendly on request.
Check out these properties for an unforgettable UK Staycation to the Isle of Wight.
