Ryde
Ryde is the largest town on the Isle of Wight.
Understand
Ryde is situated in the north-east of the island, with its grand Georgian and Victorian houses, it rises up from the 1/2 mile long pier and into the hills behind. The pier was built in 1814 and now houses the high speed ferry link operated by Wightlink to and from Portsmouth, as well as the terminus for the island's electric railway which runs to Shanklin. The pier is one of only a few in the country that you can drive your car along and park it at the end for the ferry.
The long High street houses a wide variety of shops and boutiques and takes you down to the Esplanade with its golden sand beaches and wide choice of activities. The Esplanade consists of a ten-pin bowling alley, indoor ice rink, swimming pool, and a nightclub as well as numerous amusement arcades and children's play areas.
Further from the Esplanade, is the Promenade which stretches from the esplanade to Puckpool Park. Along the Promenade is Appley Tower, a Victorian Folly and nearby is Appley gardens.
Get in
By ferry or hovercraft:
- The Fast Cat operated by Wightlink runs just about every half hour in the summer.
- The Hovercraft run by Hovertravel also leaves every half hour.
Get around
Island Line trains run a regular service from the Fastcat terminal at the pier head. this stops at: Ryde Esplanade, Ryde St John's, Smallbrook Junction, Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. This service operates ex London Underground rolling stock.
Southern Vectis has a bus terminal at the foot of the pier adjacent to the Ryde Esplanade railway station.
See
Do
Buy
Eat
- Michelangelo's Italian Restaurant, 30 St Thomas St, +44 1983 811966, http://www.ristorantemichelangelo.co.uk
- Olive, 33 Union St, ☏ +44 1983 611118. Authentic Italian restaurant, delicious pizzas (£10-20) and very friendly staff
Drink
- The Solent Inn, 7 Monkton St, +44 1983 563546. A multiple CAMRA award winning pub where the local musical talent can be seen on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
- Liberty's Cafe Bar, 12 Union St, +44 1983 811007, [1]. Eat, drink, meet friends & stay a while.
- The King Lud, 2 Esplanade, +44 1983 562942. Friendly staff and not too smokey
Sleep
- Dorset Hotel, 31 Dover St, PO33 2BW, ☏ +44 1983 564327, hoteldorset@aol.com. Situated close to six miles of sandy beaches, Esplanade, Ryde Shopping Centre & transport routes. Ryde offers a range of restaurants, pubs, night clubs & other entertainment for the young & old. Online booking