A family day out

Family reviews of attractions, events, walks and cycle rides, mostly in the UK.

Tennyson Down, Isle of Wight

Riding the Needles Breezer; an open top bus on the Isle of Wight

A couple of weekends ago we decided on an impromptu trip to the Isle of Wight. We belatedly realised that trying to book a late afternoon car ferry on a sunny Sunday just a few hours before travelling is rather expensive! Time for Plan B; travel as a foot passenger and a ride on the Needles Breezer.

After our trip to Hurst Castle  I was hesitant  to rely on buses but it turned out fine. The Isle of Wight has an excellent bus network with regular and tourist routes. We decided to ride the open top Needles Breezer which markets itself as one of the most spectacular bus rides in England.

Needles Breezer bus, Isle of Wight

Needles Breezer

The service starts in Yarmouth so after arriving in Cowes we caught a connecting service via Newport. Fortunately the bus services and Red Jet are joined up; we never had to wait long for a connection.

From Yarmouth the Needles Breezer covers a circular route, first heading to the south coast at Freshwater Bay before turning west towards Alum Bay and the Needles then back past Colwell Bay to its starting point. The big attraction is the open air seating up top. All passengers make a beeline for these seats despite the risk of overhanging branches!

Open air seats on the Needles Breezer

We spent the day travelling around this route, hopping off at points of interest. The Needles Breezer service runs between March and November and as there’s a bus every 30 minutes we were able to fit quite a lot into our day.

If you like boats then Yarmouth is the place to be. There’s a chandlery, yachts, car ferry port and sailing school all just a few minutes walk from the bus stop. For us it was a convenient stopover with toilets and cafe high on our list.

Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

Yarmouth also has the longest wooden pier in the UK and a castle, built by Henry VIII (an incredibly busy man), although we didn’t visit as we walked out through Fort Victoria Country Park instead.

Fort Victoria Country Park

Fort Victoria Country Park is about 20 minutes walk from Yarmouth town centre. A former artillery fortification it now houses several small attractions (an aquarium, planetarium and model railway) but we just enjoyed a walk along the beach and back through the woods.

View of Hurst Castle from Fort Victoria Country Park, Isle of Wight

My main reason for visiting Fort Victoria was for the view of Hurst Castle on the mainland. We’d visited the castle a few days previously and wondered what it looked like from the island. As you can see from the above photo we now know!

Fort Victoria Country Park, Isle of Wight

Back in Yarmouth we boarded the bus, sitting up top of course, and enjoyed a ride through the Isle of Wight countryside. It is rather exciting and bumpy being  driven through the lanes at speed. Sit on the left hand side if you enjoy encounters with branches!

The bus passed the site of the first Isle of Wight Festival (a field, no need to get off) and the pretty St Agnes thatched church.

The Needles

The ride up to The Needles stop is the trip highlight. Sitting on top it felt like we were hugging the edge of the cliff as the bus climbed towards the Needles viewpoint. It’s quite safe though and there are spectacular views of the coloured cliffs at Alum Bay.

The Needles, Isle of Wight

We’ve seen the Needles several times before but I always enjoy the view of the white rocks against a blue sea. In the past I’ve visited the Needles Old Battery, whose guns once defended the Solent. It’s worth a visit if you’ve never been before but we had plans for a walk so gave it a miss this time.

Tennyson Monument

Tennyson monument, Isle of Wight

From the Needles we enjoyed a great walk along Tennyson Down to Tennyson Monument. This was built to commemorate Lord Tennyson who lived nearby and walked on the down daily. It’s an easy and popular walk across the Downs, with great views along the south coast of the island.

With the benefit of hindsight we should have got off at the Tennyson Down bus stop, walked up to the Monument and then along to the Needles where we’d be able to rejoin the bus. Instead we had to backtrack and cover part of the route we’d already been on. On the plus side we got to ride up to the Needles again and as we managed to just miss one of the buses we were able to pop in for a quick drink in Highdown Inn.

Alum Bay sands, Isle of Wight

We didn’t get off at Alum Bay. Whilst I would have loved to take the kids down to the beach on the chairlift to see the coloured sands the rest of the site just didn’t appeal. Heaving with tourists, there are multiple ways to spend money ranging from a sweet factory demonstration to Jurassic Golf. From the looks of Trip Advisor some people love it, many don’t, but it’s just not our kind of place.

Colwell Bay

We were running out of time at this point so our last stop was a quick visit to Colwell Bay. From the bus stop it was a 5 minute walk down to the beach.

Looking out over Colwell Bay, Isle of Wight

We’d managed to time our visit badly as the tide was in and there was no beach to be seen. Most people were sunbathing on concrete ledges so we bought some ice creams and sat in a shady spot to enjoy them.

There were loads of families swimming and enjoying paddling. It was a hot day and the sea certainly looked as if it would be warm. After a quick check my son confirmed it was freezing!

Ice creams finished we headed back to the bus stop for our final journey on the Needles Breezer back into Yarmouth. From Yarmouth we backtracked to Cowes and our short ferry crossing to Southampton. I had been a little unsure about relying on the buses to see the Isle of Wight but the Needles Breezer is a great service and one I’d recommend even if you do have the use of a car on the island.

  • We travelled on the Red Jet high speed ferry between Southampton and West Cowes. The crossing takes about 25 minutes and is for foot passengers only. There’s no need to book or check in before your journey, simply turn up, buy your ticket and travel. Our family day return cost £31.90 for 2 adults, 2 children.
  • Our family bus pass cost £25. This entitled us to ride on all Southern Vectis buses on the island for the day. Southern Vectis, the island bus company, offers a Downs Breezer and the Island Coaster hop on hop off services too. I had notionally thought of taking the Needles Breezer, then transferring to the other tourist services to see the whole island. Whilst this is possible in peak season it does mean you’d spend most of the day on the bus and I quickly decided to just focus on the western side of the island.

5 thoughts on “Riding the Needles Breezer; an open top bus on the Isle of Wight”

that bus tour does look wonderful and undoubtedly the best way to enjoy the island, what wonderful photos and great to see the castle you visited from a different island. I think I would have been like you about the very touristy beach, one to do out of season! Thank you for sharing your spectacular tour on Country Kids.

I love the I.O.W but haven’t visited in years, reading this makes me want to hop on a ferry and explore! That’s really good to know about the buses, I did look at ferry prices a while back and to take a car was so expensive. Another place to add to my “to visit this year” list, thank you! x #countrykids

We used the Island bus services when we stayed in Cowes four years ago – they got us all over the place. We bought seven day passes and were even able to use them on the buses going from the Isle of Wight Festival in the early hours of the morning. It was so handy. #countrykids

I love impromptu day trips – they often turn out to be the most fun. We went to the Isle of Wight last year but didn’t do an much as you! So next time I will definitely be jumping on the needle breezer – what a great value ticket! Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes

Looks like a fabulous trip! Great photos. I’ve never been to the IOW before but it’s somewhere on my must visit list! Thanks for linking up with #WHWH

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Isle of Wight Buses

Southern Vectis run extensive bus services throughout the island along 10 routes covering the entire island as well as meeting ferries at Yarmouth and Ryde.

Tickets can be bought on route or from Southern Vectis stations, Rover and Freedom tickets can also be purchased through paypoint outlets located at convience stores around the island. Click here for list of paypoint outlets.

Rover tickets last 1 or 2 days. Tickets cost 10 adult 5 child £20 family.

Freedom tickets last 7, 30 or 90 days. A 7 day ticket costs 20 adult 10 child £40 family.

For the night clubbers there's the NightRider ticket giving unlimited travel between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

NUS card holders can purchase half priced tickets.

Sightseeing

Southern Vectis run open top bus tours of the island along 4 routes:

Sandown Bay Breezer - tour of Sandown and Shanklin

Needles Breezer - tour of Freshwater and Yarmouth

Downs Breezer - Across the Isle of Wight downs throughNewton, Arreton and Wotton.

The island coaster - Southern Coast tour.

Dont forget to check the isle of wight weather forecast before taking one of these tours.

Visit Soutern Vectis for further information at www.islandbuses.info

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The Downs Breezer

open top bus tour isle of wight

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open top bus tour isle of wight

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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THE DOWNS BREEZER (Ryde) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Yarmouth to The Needles via Alum Bay – The Needles Breezer from Southern Vectis

The needles breezer from southern vectis this service is operated with open top buses..

  • This route serves Attractions
  • This route serves Heritage
  • This route serves Rolling hills
  • This route serves the Seaside

The Needles Breezer is one of the most spectacular bus rides in all of England, an open-top ride with views that will simply take your breath away, with buses running up to every 30 minutes.

Needles Breezer in Alt

Does this service run all year or seasonal

This route runs in Spring & Summer only

Route frequency

Buses run up to every 30 mins, 7 days a week

Concession passes

Sorry, we don't know about concessionary bus pass acceptance on this route.

Places to visit & things to do along the way

Yarmouth

Freshwater Bay

St Agnes Church

St Agnes Church

Dimbola Museum & Galleries

Dimbola Museum & Galleries

The Needles

The Needles

Old & New Battery

Old & New Battery

Needles Landmark Attraction

Needles Landmark Attraction

Tennyson Monument

Tennyson Monument

Colwell bay, fort victoria country park, the needles breezer :  yarmouth to the needles loop via freshwater bay, alum bay & totland.

The Needles Breezer offers a spectacular day out, ranked as the third best scenic bus route in all England!  An open-top ride with views that will simply take your breath away,

The Needles Breezer runs up to every 30 minutes. Enjoy a cliff-hugging, dizzy climb from Alum Bay right up to the Needles Battery, a unique view point from aboard the open top bus where the vistas out to sea are intoxicating.

The route links Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay, Dimbola Museum and Galleries, Farringford Estate, Tennyson Downs and Fort Victoria Country Park. The children will love the Needles Landmark Attraction at Alum Bay, with its fairground rides and chairlift down to the beach.

Timetables & more:

For more information about this service visit the website .

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Share your experiences and photos of this route and explain to others why they simply must travel on this gorgeously scenic bus route!

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Fares, tickets & passes to enjoy your day out

Concessionary bus passes.

Sorry, we don't currently have any information about concessionary bus pass acceptance on this bus route.

Rover+Breezer ticket: 24 hours »

Best for: an open-top day out, rover+breezer ticket: 48 hours », best for: travel over the weekend, multi-day ticket bundle », best for: the flexible traveller, freedom tickets », best for: a week long visit.

open top bus tour isle of wight

A lovely little town with loads of charm and a definite nautical air. It’s a delight to stroll around, with good coffee shops and pubs and, at 700 feet, the longest timber pier in England.

open top bus tour isle of wight

The towering white cliffs of Tennyson Down shelter this attractive cove. The beach is covered in a mixture of grey flint and chalk pebbles that make a unique sound as the waves rise and fall onto the shore. Explore the rock ledge revealed at low tide, which is great for rock pooling with little ones. A fantastic place to set out on several invigorating walks.

open top bus tour isle of wight

Designed by architect Isaac Jones, this thatched church with wooden bell turret was built in 1908 on land in Freshwater Bay donated by Hallam Tennyson, son of the Victorian poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Made of stone from an old farmhouse on Hooke Hill, Freshwater – the birthplace of the natural philosopher, architect and polymath Robert Hooke, it is the only thatched church on the Island.

open top bus tour isle of wight

Home and workplace of the internationally acclaimed Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. Dimbola became a focal point for a crowd of bohemian writers and poets, such as Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson and Lewis Carroll. Today it houses a programme of changing exhibitions and also has an award-winning Tea Room and Gift Shop.

open top bus tour isle of wight

Other places to visit in The Needles

Old & New Battery (Isle of Wight)

The children will love this amusement park above Alum Bay – so much to see and do. Take an exciting chair lift down to the beach below, visit The Sweet Manufactory or the interactive 4D cinema experience! Don’t miss the glass blowing display or make a souvenir in the Sand Shop.

open top bus tour isle of wight

This imposing monument to Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the Victorian poet laureate stands on the highest point of Tennyson Down on the former site of the old Nodes signal beacon that used to give warning of invasion threats. Tennyson often walked the Down and is famed for saying “The air is worth ‘sixpence a pint.’

Colwell Bay is a peaceful spot, a short walk from the bus stop and offers fine views of the local shoreline, across the Solent and over to Hurst Castle on the mainland. Bask in the sun while enjoying an ice cream or something more filling at one of the friendly eateries.

This park follows the coastline and has spectacular views over to Hurst Castle on the mainland. There are seashore and woodland walks and it’s a great spot to sit and watch Solent boats and shipping go by. There are attractions in the old fort buildings – a planetarium, café, model railway and the Underwater Archaeology Centre.

This listing was last updated on 28th August 2023

We can't guarantee that all information on this website is 100% accurate. You must always check with the operator's website before travelling. We can't be held responsible for any costs incurred because of inaccurate or misleading information. For more information, please read our terms and conditions .

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open top bus tour isle of wight

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  • Getting Around

Travelling around the Isle of Wight couldn’t be easier, with a range of options available to help you cover every inch of the 23 x 13 miles of the Island

open top bus tour isle of wight

There are over 500 miles of public rights of way to explore on the Island, and although it isn’t the fastest way to get around it undoubtedly gives the best views!

Put your best foot forward and explore some of England’s most spectacular coastal paths and seascapes, you’re never far from a secret cove or enchanting village!

open top bus tour isle of wight

The Isle of Wight was recently voted one of the world’s top cycling destinations by Lonely Planet, and an excellent network of cycleways and rail trails links up much of the Island.

It is also becoming a great place for a cycling holiday, with Bicycle Island presenting some great trail ideas, cycle hire and help to get you around.

You will find the main Isle of Wight bus service, operated by Southern Vectis, refreshingly visible almost everywhere you go.

Regular buses run between the main towns and resorts until very late, with services to more rural areas operating throughout the day.

Hop on, hop off the open-top bus “Breezer” tours, Island Coaster and network services and explore the Isle of Wight by bus.

The Island Line train service operates from Ryde Pierhead round the east coast of the Island, down through to Shanklin – directly linking with both Ryde passenger ferry services, providing a through service from London Waterloo.

There is also a bus link to the train which carries passengers from Shanklin through to Ventnor .

Vehicle ferry services operate from Lymington to Yarmouth, Southampton to East Cowes and Portsmouth to Fishbourne.

The road network across the Isle of Wight is well signposted and many have outstanding natural views, however a number of Island roads are quite narrow, so take care when driving and be aware of other users.

There are a number of taxis to choose from whether you fancy a trip around the Island or want to be dropped off at a specific place you've chosen to visit. 

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Getting around the Isle of Wight is easy, with the quiet roads and attractive countryside making driving an unexpected pleasure. If you´re travelling to the Island on one of the ferries as a foot passenger, there´s a good choice of public transport to get you to your chosen destination. The Isle of Wight is well served by the public transport system, which includes a good network of buses and trains.

Isle of Wight Buses

Open Top Bus

The main bus company on the Isle of Wight is Southern Vectis, who run an extensive bus network that covers most of the Island. Buses meet Wightlink FastCat arrivals at Ryde and ferry arrivals at Yarmouth . The company offers a popular and flexible Rover Ticket range for individuals, families and small groups, giving passengers unlimited travel for 1, 2, 7 or 28 days. For great views of the Island, hop aboard one of the Open Top Bus Tours, which include The Needles and Sandown Bay. These operate seven days a week, with regular departures throughout the day. The open-top buses give a birds-eye view of the Island´s top locations and a special commentary gives information about places of interest and the history and geography of areas along the way. English residents over 60 and eligible disabled residents can get free travel any time, any day on all Southern Vectis bus routes and open top buses. For information on timetables and services, phone: 01983 532373 or visit: www.islandbuses.info

Southern Vectis

The Wightbus service connects Ventnor with Island Line trains at Shanklin , Railway Station. Some buses stop at Ventnor Botanic Garden, St Lawrence and Bonchurch. Wightbus also operates a number of registered local bus services available to the general public over a variety of routes. The service operates throughout the day Monday to Saturday, plus a Sunday service from Easter through to late September.

Isle of Wight Trains The 8½ miles of passenger railway on the Island is operated by Island Line Trains, on a route serving Shanklin, Lake, Sandown, Brading, Smallbrook Junction and Ryde Pier Head (where there is a connection with the Wightlink high-speed catamaran service from Portsmouth Harbour). It is one of 26 train companies that form the UK´s National Rail Network. The actual rolling stock consists of lovingly cared for ex-London Underground trains and they operate from early morning (starting around 6am) until after midnight. Throughout most of the day, there are two trains an hour. The company has a wide range of ticket types. Phone 812591 or visit: www.island-line.co.uk for details.

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Isle of Wight Steam Railway If you´re a steam train buff, then the Isle of Wight Steam Railway is an absolute must. With grand old locomotives pulling wonderfully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages, the trains travel along a five-mile route from Wootton, through Havenstreet and Ashey, to Smallbrook Junction, which is the interchange with Island Line Trains (see above). Tickets are valid for unlimited travel on the day of ticket issue, so you can ride as often as you wish. For more information, phone 01983 882204 or visit: www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk (Talking Timetable Service: 01983 884343)

Cowes Chain Ferry There is a chain ferry (also known as the floating bridge) for transporting foot passengers and vehicles across the River Medina from East to West Cowes and vice versa. For further information including current crossing times and prices, contact the Ferry Manager on 01983 293041.

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THE 5 BEST Isle of Wight Bus Tours

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open top bus tour isle of wight

1. Isle of Wight - Day Tour from Portsmouth including Ferry Crossing

open top bus tour isle of wight

2. Osborne House-A driver guided tour of Victoria's Island Paradise

open top bus tour isle of wight

3. Isle of Wight - Day Tour from Brighton

open top bus tour isle of wight

4. Isle of Wight Guided Day Tour from London

open top bus tour isle of wight

5. 3-Day Isle of Wight and the Southern Coast Small-Group Tour from London

open top bus tour isle of wight

6. Isle of Wight Full-Day Private Tour from London

open top bus tour isle of wight

7. FullDay Private Shore Tour in Isle of Wight from Southampton Port

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

open top bus tour isle of wight

Southampton: Post-Cruise Tour to London via Salisbury, Stonehenge and Windsor

open top bus tour isle of wight

Poole Harbour and Island Cruise from Poole

open top bus tour isle of wight

South Downs and Seven Sisters Full Day Experience from Brighton

open top bus tour isle of wight

Lulworth Cove & Durdle Door Mini-Coach Tour from Bournemouth

open top bus tour isle of wight

Half-Day Guided E-Bike Tour Portland with Lunch

open top bus tour isle of wight

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Brighton with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

open top bus tour isle of wight

4x4 Land Rover Safari Across Purbeck Hills and Jurassic Coast

open top bus tour isle of wight

Retro E-Bike Hire Experience exploring the New Forest coastline

open top bus tour isle of wight

Full Day Jurassic Coast Mini-Coach Tour from Bournemouth

open top bus tour isle of wight

Portsmouth Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK

open top bus tour isle of wight

Bespoke private tours of Stonehenge and Avebury by car with local guide

open top bus tour isle of wight

Stonehenge and Bath - Day Tour from Brighton

open top bus tour isle of wight

Southampton to London via Cotswold Villages, Downton Abbey Locations & Pub Lunch

open top bus tour isle of wight

Small-group New Forest Discovery Walk from Lyndhurst

open top bus tour isle of wight

Luxury Sailing Experience Day with Champagne and Lunch or Dinner

open top bus tour isle of wight

Hengistbury Head: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

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Portsmouth Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest

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Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Portsmouth by Zombie Scavengers

open top bus tour isle of wight

Ship Simulator Experience

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Stonehenge Private Immersive Audio Guide

open top bus tour isle of wight

Southampton Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK

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Cambridge and Greenwich - Day Tour from Brighton

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Leeds Castle and Canterbury - Day Tour from Brighton

What travelers are saying.

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  • Isle of Wight - Day Tour from Brighton
  • Isle of Wight - Day Tour from Portsmouth including Ferry Crossing
  • Isle of Wight Guided Day Tour from London
  • FullDay Private Shore Tour in Isle of Wight from Southampton Port
  • Osborne House-A driver guided tour of Victoria's Island Paradise

Isle of Wight: Bus Tours Information

IMAGES

  1. Our family review of the Needles Breezer, an open top bus on the Isle

    open top bus tour isle of wight

  2. The Needles Breezer (Open Top) Bus at Yarmouth

    open top bus tour isle of wight

  3. Southern Vectis Isle of Wight open top bus operating the island

    open top bus tour isle of wight

  4. An Open Top Bus on the Isle of Wight Stock Photo

    open top bus tour isle of wight

  5. Bristol 5 cylinder open top bus at the Isle of Wight Bus Museum Ryde

    open top bus tour isle of wight

  6. Open top bus ride, isle of wight.

    open top bus tour isle of wight

VIDEO

  1. #Tfl London 🚌 Bus 18/Sudbury-Euston

  2. Vintage Southern Vectis Bus

  3. 11 December 2023

COMMENTS

  1. Days out & open tops

    The bus links the Esplanade with Ryde town, Wootton Station, Robin Hill Adventure Park, Sandown Seafront, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Dinosaur Isle, Browns Golf Course and Bembridge. Our open-top double deck buses with friendly local drivers run every hour from Ryde. Hop on and off anywhere along the route using your 24-hour ticket which also ...

  2. Southern Vectis

    THE NEEDLES BREEZER. The Needles Breezer is one of the most spectacular bus rides in all of England, an open-top ride with views that will simply take your breath away, with buses running up to every 30 minutes. Enjoy a cliff-hugging, dizzy climb from Alum Bay right up to the Needles Battery, high up where the vistas out to sea are intoxicating.

  3. Tours and Sightseeing on the Isle of Wight

    The Isle of Wight Walking Festival holds two events, one in spring and one in autumn with both offering a wide range of walks for all abilities, including some with fascinating themes. For instance, in 2023 there was a guided walk around the grounds and buildings of Northwood House in Cowes. Look out for the 2024 programme coming soon.

  4. THE 5 BEST Isle of Wight Bus Tours (Updated 2024)

    These experiences are best for bus tours in Isle of Wight: Isle of Wight - Day Tour from Brighton; Isle of Wight - Day Tour from Portsmouth including Ferry Crossing; Isle of Wight Guided Day Tour from London; FullDay Private Shore Tour in Isle of Wight from Southampton Port; Osborne House-A driver guided tour of Victoria's Island Paradise

  5. Riding the Needles Breezer; an open top bus on the Isle of Wight

    Back in Yarmouth we boarded the bus, sitting up top of course, and enjoyed a ride through the Isle of Wight countryside. It is rather exciting and bumpy being driven through the lanes at speed. Sit on the left hand side if you enjoy encounters with branches! The bus passed the site of the first Isle of Wight Festival (a field, no need to get ...

  6. Isle of Wight Buses

    Southern Vectis run open top bus tours of the island along 4 routes: Downs Breezer - Across the Isle of Wight downs throughNewton, Arreton and Wotton. The island coaster - Southern Coast tour. Dont forget to check the isle of wight weather forecast before taking one of these tours. Visit Soutern Vectis for further information at www.islandbuses ...

  7. THE DOWNS BREEZER (Ryde)

    The Downs Breezer provides a glimpse of the delights of the Island from the scenic coastline on our open-top buses. It's a circular route through the heart of the Isle of Wight's pretty countryside with breathtaking views stretching over the expanse of the Solent across to mainland. Starting in Ryde, the route runs every 60 minutes, in an ...

  8. Yarmouth to The Needles via Alum Bay

    An open-top ride with views that will simply take your breath away, The Needles Breezer runs up to every 30 minutes. Enjoy a cliff-hugging, dizzy climb from Alum Bay right up to the Needles Battery, a unique view point from aboard the open top bus where the vistas out to sea are intoxicating. The route links Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay, Dimbola ...

  9. The Christmas Lights Tour is back

    Get wrapped up ready for a unique festive experience for all the family aboard an open top bus. Running on selected dates in December the festive tour leaves Newport Bus Station at 6.30pm. The Southern Vectis Christmas Lights Tour offers spectacular views of the Isle of Wight at night and visits some of the Island's best Christmas light displays.

  10. Southern Vectis

    The principle bus operator on the Isle of Wight, Southern Vectis has been getting Island visitors and residents from A to B since 1929. ... Dig out your winter woollies and experience the magic of Christmas aboard an open top bus. The annual Southern Vectis Christmas Lights Tour offers spectacular views of the Isle of Wight at night and visits ...

  11. Getting Around

    Regular buses run between the main towns and resorts until very late, with services to more rural areas operating throughout the day. Hop on, hop off the open-top bus "Breezer" tours, Island Coaster and network services and explore the Isle of Wight by bus. Find out more about the bus service. By Train

  12. Travel Isle of Wight

    Isle of Wight Buses. ... They also run 3 open top bus tours in peak season which take you on a journey round some of the Islands most beautiful scenery. Website. Island Line. Island Line train service is part of South Western Railway and connects Ryde, Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. The service can be picked up from the foot passenger ...

  13. Isle of Wight Public Transport

    Buses meet Wightlink FastCat arrivals at Ryde and ferry arrivals at Yarmouth. The company offers a popular and flexible Rover Ticket range for individuals, families and small groups, giving passengers unlimited travel for 1, 2, 7 or 28 days. For great views of the Island, hop aboard one of the Open Top Bus Tours, which include The Needles and ...

  14. All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

    The Downs Breezer provides a glimpse of the delights of the Island from the scenic coastline on our open-top buses. It's a circular route through the heart of the Isle of Wight's pretty countryside with breathtaking views stretching over the expanse of the Solent across to mainland. Starting in Ryde, the route runs every 60 minutes, in an ...

  15. The Times spotlights Isle of Wight in UK's Top open-top bus routes

    5, February 2024. Last updated: 5, September 2023. The Times newspaper recently presented a picturesque journey through the UK's best scenic bus routes, and the Isle of Wight's iconic Needles Breezer has grabbed the spotlight. Chosen as the headline image for their article titled ' Seven of the UK's prettiest open-top bus routes ...

  16. The Needles Breezer

    4 years ago Sun 17th Mar 2019. The Needles Breezer is one of the most spectacular bus rides in all England. A circular route connecting the West Wight, this open-top ride has views that will simply take your breath away. There's that cliff-hugging, dizzy climb from Alum Bay right up to the Needles Battery, high up where the vistas out to sea ...

  17. THE 10 BEST Isle of Wight Tours & Excursions

    Isle of Wight - Day Tour from Portsmouth including Ferry Crossing. 18. Historical Tours. 8-9 hours. The Isle of Wight, home to a variety of distinctive landscapes, dramatic cliffs, long stunning beaches and great attractions…. Free cancellation. Recommended by 100% of travelers. from. $97.

  18. Ride On An Open-Top Tour Bus

    #southernvectis#isleofwight#kittikokoSouthern Vectis 1929-2004: 75 Years Serving the Isle of Wight https://amzn.to/3Lze8vCExploring Southern Vectis Countryht...

  19. THE 5 BEST Isle of Wight Bus Tours (from $96)

    These experiences are best for bus tours in Isle of Wight: Isle of Wight - Day Tour from Brighton; Isle of Wight - Day Tour from Portsmouth including Ferry Crossing; Isle of Wight Guided Day Tour from London; FullDay Private Shore Tour in Isle of Wight from Southampton Port; Osborne House-A driver guided tour of Victoria's Island Paradise

  20. The Needles Breezer Bus Tour

    The open top ride runs between Yarmouth and the Needles Battery. This short clip shows the ... The Needles Breezer is a scenic bus journey on the Isle of Wight.

  21. 2023 Christmas Lights Tour

    The Lights tour for 2023 is now SOLD OUT - See you on board. The popular Christmas Lights Tour is back this December and we cannot wait to welcome you on board! Get wrapped up ready for a unique festive experience for all the family aboard an open top bus. Running from Friday 8th December right through to Saturday 23rd December, this year ...

  22. Southern Vectis

    Southern Vectis - The Island's Buses. The Needles Breezer is back from the 2nd March 2024. Our other seasonal routes are not far behind! Timetable Changes to Route 3. Due to the ongoing closure of Leeson Road, Bonchurch, we are introducing timetable changes to route 3. Mountbatten announced as our corporate charity for 2024 and 2025.