Ventnor has been named one of the best seaside towns in the UK for 2026 by The Times.
Travel writer, Oliver Berry included the southernmost town on the Isle of Wight in his piece for the paper this weekend.
Ventnor has been a seaside resort since Victorian times, when sea bathing and bracing coastal walks were promoted as a cure for the ills of mass industrialisation.
The town has had its ups and downs since then, but is certainly on the up!
“Mayfair by the Sea”
Oliver references Ventnor’s nickname, “Mayfair by the Sea”, though he concedes the tag might be “overdoing it a little”. Even so, he calls it a lovely spot.
If you haven’t visited before, the town is framed by the chalky cliffs of St Boniface Down.
Below them sits Ventnor’s own small patch of sand at the bottom of a beautiful terraced bay.
Walks and a botanic garden
Oliver rates Ventnor as handy for some of the best walks on the Isle of Wight, but it’s not just walking that is popular.
In September the town plays host to the Annual Fell Running Series which sees hundreds of runners take part in races from the bottom of the seafront right up to the top of the downs.
Oliver also points visitors towards the town’s botanic garden, describing it as a must-see.
Fringe festival adds to the draw
The recognition comes as Ventnor Fringe Festival runs in the town, continuing daily until 26th July 2026. See the Ventnor Fringe website for programme details of more than 130 shows.
There is no better time to visit Ventnor than right now, whilst the town is buzzing and offering something for everyone.
