Ryde Area Guide

Located on the north-east coast of the Isle of Wight, Ryde is a bustling seaside town boasting a mix of national and independent shops, parks, play areas and historic buildings. With easy access to the mainland via ferry, property in Ryde also allows for a quick escape to the English south coast.

WELCOME TO RYDE

With an eclectic blend of attractions, including its lido-style Waterside Pool, Ryde is a family-friendly town with links to coast and countryside. It's home to sports clubs, including golf, bowls, football and sailing, while its sandy beaches and beautiful scenery mean you'll never be short of walking routes in the surrounding area.

WHY RYDE IS A BIG HIT WITH FAMILIES

The local area boasts some excellent schools, including Nettlestone, Haylands, Greenmount and Dover Park primaries for infants. For older kids, there’s the private Ryde School with Upper Chine and Ryde Academy, which caters for pupils aged 11 to 18.

GETTING AROUND IN RYDE

Property in Ryde benefits from excellent transport links, with the Hovercraft terminal offering connections to Southsea in Portsmouth every 30 minutes. With a journey time of just 10 minutes, it’s perfect for quick trips to the mainland. Nearby Fishbourne operates 45-minute ferries to Portsmouth, while there are also convenient bus services from Ryde across the island, including Osborne House and the Needles.

A SHORT HISTORY OF RYDE

Ryde has been a popular seaside resort for centuries and is home to the oldest pleasure pier in the UK. Dating back to 1814, today it’s home to Ryde Pier Head and Ryde Esplanade railway stations. You can also see many examples of Victorian and Georgian architecture around the town. Other historical buildings of interest include Quarr Abbey, a Benedictine monastery which welcomes visitors to its gardens, tea shop and visitor centre.

FESTIVITIES IN RYDE

Ryde is the proud host of several annual festivities, including an international scooter rally and northern soul event, which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Once a year, residents also participate in the unofficial Fort Walk at low tide from Bembridge to St Helen's Fort. Perhaps the most fun of all is the Ryde Slide, which sees a 200m waterslide set up on Union Street for kids and adults of all ages to enjoy racing to the bottom. Who could resist?

SHOPPING, DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT IN RYDE

Property in Ryde benefits from all the amenities you’d expect of a large seaside town, including a cinema, shops, and a park with tennis courts and a kids’ play area. There are two scenic golf courses – Westridge and Ryde – together with Smallbrook Stadium, which hosts speedway events all year round. When it comes to food and drink, there's a mix of national and independent restaurants, with local favourites including Fumo 33, Ristorante Michaelangelo and the Fishbourne Inn.