Colwell Bay

About

Colwell Bay is one of many picturesque beaches in West Wight, offering spectacular views back across the Solent to mainland England. It is a small, easily-accessible beach on the north-west coast, with clear, calm waters and gently sloping sand and shingle, making it an ideal beach for swimming.

This is a popular family beach, with a traditional seaside cafe just before you reach the beach, and beach hut shops on each side of the slipway selling everything from ice-creams and snacks to inflatable toys and wet suits. If you are looking to make a day of it you can hire deck chairs and beach huts from the beach shop. On the road down to the shore there is a bar plus if you walk along the sea wall to the left you will find a bistro style restaurant, The Hut.

The beach is down a short road from the main Yarmouth to Totland road, there is a good sized car park with toilets and access for the disabled is good. There is a lovely walk from here along the sea wall to Totland Beach with stunning views across the Solent.

Included in the panoramic views from here across the Solent is the striking Hurst Castle, and just along the Island coast to the right you can spy the former Victorian gun tower of Fort Albert. This is an ideal place to see yachts sailing by on the Solent waters as the gap between the Isle of Wight and the mainland at this point is relatively narrow.

TOP TIP:
Make sure you check the tide tables as there is very little beach at high tide – although you can sit on the sea wall, or in one of the cafes, and wait for it to recede.

For bus information please visit the Southern Vectis website - www.islandbuses.info/