Finding the right self-catering accommodation in the Isle of Wight meant picnicking opportunities for you, for your family and friends. This is one side of England known for having the laid back environment by the beach under the shade. Those areas are easily accessible by taking the bike trails if you don’t feel like driving around the countryside. So having a light snack under the trees overlooking the lake is easy with a mountain bike and a backpack spacious enough for the food and drinks for the picnic. And since the weekend includes dinner before bedtime, which self-catering accommodation in the Isle of Wight would fit your culinary needs? Read on and check out the options available for you.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 03, 2024.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. Enjoy the fully equipped kitchen (from USD 119)
How English can a cottage get in the Isle of Wight? Much of what you see in front of the Granary at French Mill is the rustic brick roof and the walls. Sometimes, it comes across as a contrast to the interiors of the property. A pleasant surprise since the fully equipped kitchen will give you ideas on what to cook in your stay outside the microwavable food variety. (We’ve all been there.) With attractions like the Steephill Cove and other spots by the beaches close to the property, preparing food for a picnic just got more exciting. It’s also a convenient excuse to bring a few bottles of garlic beer bought from one of the shops nearby.
2. Nice place to prepare your picnic fare (from USD 265)
Staying within walking distance by the beach, the coastal attractions and by the Yarmouth ferry brings out that inner paleo in you. Not that you get to hunt for your own food. You don’t need to do that. Buying your paleo-based ingredients to go with your gluten-free essentials at one of the supermarkets within driving distance will make it easier for you to decide which recipe you should try next in this cottage. In case you have trouble deciding which finger foods to eat on your next picnic the following day, go with the organic veggies with the fat-free dip. The kitchen has enough tools to help you prepare them before hitting the beach in a jiffy.
3. A Fresh Water stone house for fun (from USD 186)
One of the few stone houses that also come with a woodburning stove, previous occupants enjoyed preparing their food in the old English setting. Some amenities by the kitchen are modern to accommodate temporary inhabitants who might be taking home some leftovers for reheating purposes later. The larger part of the property is preserved as the house’s biggest claim to fame is that it used to be owned by the renowned English poet, Lord Tennyson. So having mini-reading sessions by the Freshwater Bay with your family and friends sounds great while enjoying home-cooked picnic lunch.
4. Spacious cliffhanger with a pleasurable kitchen (from USD 1343)
Perhaps one of the most spacious vacation rentals in this list, this cottage preserved some of its old English charms the way most weekenders like it. Much of the modernity is found in the fully equipped kitchen and well-lit dining hall big enough to host 10 diners. Previous renters enjoyed having a panoramic view of the bay where they can easily check out Redjet High Speed Passenger Ferry. This property is highly recommended for nature lovers with a penchant for touring the area on a mountain bike to stop over some of the Isle of Wight’s historical attractions like the Carisbrooke Castle and the Osborne House.
Cliffhanger 18 Castle Road
Address: Cliffhanger 18 Castle Road Cowes Isle of Wight
2.71 km (1.7 mi) from Osborne
Isle Of Wight Tour Guide
Andrew Wheeler
Greetings. My name is Andy, and I am a Blue-badge Tourist Guide, accredited through the Institute of Tourist Guiding in London since c.2014. I live in the New Forest, a national park, famous for its wild ponies, located in Hampshire. The nearest city to me is Southampton. I conduct both walking tours and coach tours in the area known as Wessex, which includes the counties of Hampshire, Isle ... Read more
Tours by Andrew
5. Memorable views from a beautifully-furnished property (from USD 164)
Chilling by the Wootton Creek is the best way to enjoy the breakfast you just made at this rental. Or you may watch the dramatically beautiful sunrise first thing in the morning before you head to the fully equipped kitchen to make some tea and crumpets. Or a breakfast hash. That is how this coastal property, northeast of the Isle of Wight, is the preferred vacation property for backpackers and casual travellers alike to stay the weekend. Feel free to tag along with your dog in this certified pet-friendly property. Sometimes, some peace and quiet with chirping birds in the background are best shared with loved ones.
6. Book for the barbecue, stay for the coastal resort access
Getting within walking distance to Saint Helen’s Coastal Resort is often the main reason why travellers would book a night at this cottage. Then they see great deals for ferry tickets upon confirming their reservation and the vacation just gets better. All that is left then for vacationers like you is preparing your own dinner before hitting the sack. Best rented with your friends if you’d like to try hosting a barbecue party this time in a setting by the Isle of Wight. In case you feel like splitting your stash of meat for grilling into two batches, the freezer at the kitchen has enough space to accommodate the cold cuts needed for the next day’s barbecue party.
St. Helens Holiday, Field Lane Birch 8
12.32 km (7.7 mi) from Osborne
7. Old English countryside cottage
This rental described as “a picturesque chalet” has attracted tourists and weekenders with a penchant with the old English countryside. As a property that existed since 1924 - the brick roof, white picket fence and the coffee table by the porch looked like preserved items from a time capsule transported to the current year. The beach can easily be viewed from the veranda. The site makes you want to go to the fully equipped kitchen and prepare a nice meal worth sharing with the family on a beach-side picnic. Previous occupants without kids have booked the weekend here to prepare food in the chalet first and stage the picnic close to the shore with a few bottles of beer.
Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
3.99 km (2.5 mi) from Osborne
8. A clifftop property at Sandown
One of the cliff-top properties by the Isle of Wight with a recently installed modern kitchen, the owners even made sure that the pantry has the basic amenities - milk in a carton, some coffee and sugar plus biscuits. Couples and families with diet specifications from paleo to keto to the gluten-free variety, they get to utilize the kitchen to prepare a healthy brunch to take to the beach and have fun under the sun by the beach. The closest beach from the chalet is Yaverland Beach, accessible within a five-minute walk.
Yaverland Road 113 Sandown Bay Holiday Centre
13.71 km (8.6 mi) from Osborne
9. Book two nights for a riverside courtyard feel
What riverside courtyard feel? The rental’s name should have given you an idea of one of the most peaceful sights ever to grace the Isle of Wight - seagulls. A place known for being within a few steps from the souvenir shops and the marinas, the laidback countryside led some backpackers to book here first and bike around the Isle of Wight the morning after. What encouraged most backpackers and vacationers alike is to prepare their own meals in this two-bedroom property in the communal areas by the river. Early dinner within sight of the river helps in meeting new friends and sharing space with companions in the cottage with fellow backpackers.
1.68 km (1.1 mi) from Osborne
10. A weekend for the idyllic farm experience
A cottage with the old-fashioned red brick roof and stone walls in the middle of a farm surrounded by animals make an ideal countryside weekend getaway. The brightly lit kitchen sometimes come across as a pleasant contrast to the old-fashioned exteriors but it is the best reminder of how this property is equipped enough to help you prepare food. Whether it is brunch for the picnic by the pond or dinner to cap off the night before hitting the sack, this barn conversion is your best bet if your travel itinerary includes walking by the beach at Compton Bay or exploring the open fields around the cottage for that brief “nature walk” alongside barn animals.
12.05 km (7.5 mi) from Osborne
Cook your own food and enjoy picnic by the beach
While the Isle of Wight has become a haven for stock photos best used as desktop wallpaper, the serenity of watching the sunrise upon waking up helps you meditate for a better day ahead away from the hustle and bustle of the urban jungle. Nature walk from your chosen cottage towards the picnic grounds close to the lake or soaking up the sun by the beach within walking distance from your chalet helps in de-stressing away the negativity. Recharge with the help of panoramic views and the calming presence of the beach and in less than a two-night booking, you feel rejuvenated. Add the option of preparing your own food fit for your health needs and you feel less pressured to eat because office lunch break time limits don’t apply to your vacation.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data