Lionstone House
13 The Strand · Ryde · Isle of Wight
A little guide to the beach on your doorstep, the best places to eat in Ryde, and the island beyond.
🌊 The beach is directly across the road — everything here starts from your front door.Welcome, and thank you for choosing to stay with us. You've landed in one of the loveliest spots on the island — right on Ryde's seafront, with a mile of sand across the road and the whole of the Isle of Wight within easy reach. We've gathered our own favourites below to help you settle in and make the most of your stay.
Make yourself at home — the sea is waiting.
Lionstone House sits directly on Ryde's seafront, a short walk east of the pier. However you cross the Solent, here's the last leg of the journey to our front door.
The Strand is the seafront road itself — the beach is directly opposite. There's one private off-road parking space per flat, with paid on-street parking outside if you need more. Check-in is self-service, and your access details will be sent before you arrive.
The fastest crossing, and the shortest walk to us. The train station and bus interchange are right beside the hoverport too.
On the mainland side, Portsmouth Harbour station and the coach stops are right by the terminal.
Buses also stop on Union Street in the town centre, a few minutes above the seafront.
By some margin the nearest car ferry to us. Bus route 9 also runs from the terminal to Union Street in about 8 minutes.
Travelling on foot instead? The Red Jet lands at West Cowes, and bus route 9 runs from there to Ryde in around half an hour.
The shortest crossing for a car, but the longest drive once you're on the island.
It's one space per flat; if you're bringing a second car, the on-street parking is your best bet.
Travelling without a car?
Both foot-passenger crossings land within a ten-minute walk of the front door, and the beach, town centre, buses and trains are all on the doorstep from there. A Southern Vectis day Rover ticket will get you round the rest of the island easily.
A little perk for our guests
As a Lionstone House guest you can get a discount on Wightlink crossings — 15% off cars, motorbikes and motorhomes, and 20% off foot-passenger travel. It's best sorted before you book your crossing, so email us at lionstone.airbnb@gmail.com and we'll reply with the discount PDF and simple instructions.
You genuinely don't need a car here — the seafront, town and transport hubs are all walkable, and the island connects together neatly by train, bus and boat.
Ryde grew up as a Victorian seaside resort, and it's still made for slow days by the water. Here's what's within a short walk.
One of the largest beaches on the island — nearly a mile of clean sand at low tide, safe for paddling and perfect for a morning walk. The sunsets over the Solent are the real treat.
Under 2 min walkFollow the promenade east and you'll reach the wooded gardens and the little fairytale Appley Tower — a lovely, easy walk with a café or two along the way.
≈ 20–25 min walk east along the frontOne of the oldest seaside piers in the country. Walk out over the water for the views back to the town, or take the little Island Line train along it to the Pier Head.
≈ 5 min to the pier entranceRyde's Victorian arcades, independent shops and the seafront boating lake and canoe lake are all close by — handy when the weather turns or the little ones need a run-around.
≈ 5–8 min walkRyde punches well above its weight for food. These are the spots we send friends and family to — a mix of morning coffee, proper dinners and cosy pubs, most a short walk away. Opening days change with the seasons, so it's worth a quick call to book at the busier ones.
A cracking little brunch spot and probably the most-loved café in town — excellent coffee and beautifully done breakfasts and lunches. It's small and popular, so worth booking.
Book aheadRight on the seafront and a favourite for genuinely great coffee, standout pancakes and fresh, made-to-order breakfasts. A warm welcome every time.
Part deli, part café — sourdough brunches, lovely coffee and a counter full of local cheeses, truffle and treats to take away. Good gluten-free and vegan options too.
Two more reliable daytime gems: Zen for fresh food and cake near the hovercraft, and The Mersley for a slightly different, well-travelled brunch menu up on the High Street.
A special one, well worth the drive across the island. A clifftop café perched above Military Road with sweeping views of the English Channel, serving beautiful seasonal food and cream teas — plus a famous pearl jewellery showroom to browse. Dog friendly, and open all year. Hot food stops at 4pm (3pm Sundays), so go for a leisurely lunch.
A view to rememberThe island's fine-dining star, from Michelin-starred chef Robert Thompson. Beautiful food, a stylish room and a garden looking out to sea — the Sunday roast has a serious local following. One to book for a special evening.
Special occasionA real local favourite — fresh, generous Mediterranean plates, chargrilled meats and mezze, with friendly service that looks after tricky diets well. Popular, so book.
Long-running, family-run Italian with a genuinely Italian welcome, proper pasta and pizza, and a tiramisu worth saving room for.
Relaxed Italian-Mediterranean grill — chargrilled dishes, pasta and good desserts in a buzzy little room. Handy for an easy evening out.
A warm, friendly local just back from the seafront with some of the best pub food in town — the Sunday lunch and midweek burger nights are worth planning around. Dog friendly.
A characterful real-ale pub by the ferry terminals, with a fine view across to Portsmouth. Cheerful, unpretentious — and you can bring in fish & chips from next door.
A big, family-friendly pub in a castle-like building right on the seafront, serving from breakfast through to dinner. Handy and central when you just want something easy nearby.
The spot for live music at the weekend, with a big beer garden and a proper local atmosphere. Dog friendly and always lively.
The whole island is smaller than you'd think, so even the far-flung spots are an easy drive or bus ride. We've grouped our favourites by the kind of day you're after. Times are rough drives from Ryde — do check opening hours online before setting off, as they shift with the seasons.
A giant ancient oak that grew sideways across a babbling brook, wrapped in a local dragon legend. A magical, slightly hidden spot — bring wellies for a paddle and a clamber. Free to visit.
The island's famously subtropical garden, thriving in a sheltered south-coast microclimate. Palms, exotics and sea views.
A romantic wooded ravine tumbling down to the sea, with a waterfall, rare ferns and lantern-lit summer evenings.
A breezy chalk clifftop walk up to the Tennyson Monument, with some of the finest sea views on the island out towards the Needles.
The island's only surviving windmill, beautifully kept by the National Trust. A lovely short, characterful visit.
A tranquil National Trust estuary of tidal creeks and salt marsh — wonderful for birdwatching and a peaceful wander.
Quiet woodland trails winding down to a creek, with easy, shady walks very close to home. A gentle favourite.
The island's iconic chalk stacks and candy-striped lighthouse, with the famous chairlift cable car down to the multicoloured sand cliffs of Alum Bay. ★ chairlift
A dramatic medieval castle, once Charles I's prison. Climb the ramparts and meet the donkeys that turn the great well wheel.
The romantic baroque shell of the island's grandest former mansion, set in tranquil grounds.
The island's only standing stones — a Neolithic site on the down above Mottistone, with a good walk to reach them.
Queen Victoria's opulent seaside palace, with grand state rooms, sweeping gardens and her own private beach.
A working Benedictine monastery in striking pinkish brick, with peaceful grounds, woodland and a lovely tea room. One of our closest gems.
The former home of pioneering Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, now a photography museum and gallery.
Beautifully restored steam trains through the countryside; hop on and off all day. A firm family favourite too.
Remarkably preserved Roman mosaics under cover — one of the finest Roman sites in Britain.
A tiny, atmospheric medieval church tucked near the sea, lit by candlelight and full of quiet history.
A charming miniature Isle of Wight set in beautiful gardens, in one of the prettiest thatched villages on the island.
A dinosaur museum in a pterosaur-shaped building, with skeletons and guided fossil hunts down on the beach.
Britain's oldest theme park: a quirky clifftop world of dinosaurs, pirates and fairy tales that children adore.
Animals to meet, go-karts and inflatables, and a summer aqua park — easily a full day out.
A craft village of artisan studios and shops with a café and a country pub, plus regular events. Good for a relaxed browse.
A much-loved primate and bird-of-prey rescue sanctuary — friendly, ethical and a hit with children.
A seafront sanctuary home to rescued lions, tigers, bears and lemurs, surprisingly close up.
Exotic animals and birds across indoor and outdoor enclosures — a reliable all-weather day.
Woodland adventure park with a toboggan run, falconry displays and play zones across pretty countryside.
All-weather outdoor go-karting on a floodlit track, for ages 8 and up. Right on our doorstep at Westridge.
The island has a wonderful calendar of festivals, sailing and seaside carnivals. Here are the annual highlights by season — the ones marked are close to home in Ryde. Dates shift a little each year, so do check the live listings for exact days.
Last updated: July 2026Two weeks of 60-plus guided walks exploring the island's coast, countryside and history.
A much-loved island-wide charity walk raising funds for the local Mountbatten Hospice.
Everything from fun runs to a half-marathon, based right here in Ryde. ★ near us
One of the UK's biggest music festivals, at Seaclose Park in Newport.
A spectacular yacht race, with up to 1,500 boats circling the whole island in a day.
The island's vibrant Pride celebration, with a colourful parade through Ryde. ★ near us
A beloved small arts festival across Ventnor — theatre, comedy, cabaret and music.
The world's oldest and largest sailing regatta, with a week of shoreside festivities.
A famous island institution near Newchurch celebrating all things garlic, with food and live music.
A long-running seaside carnival with processions right along our stretch of town. ★ near us
The season's second walking festival — quieter paths and crisp coastal views.
Author talks and literary events at handsome Northwood House in Cowes.
Seasonal lights, markets and pantomime around the island and here in Ryde.
Exact dates & the latest listings
For confirmed dates and everything happening during your stay, the island's official listings at visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on are kept fully up to date.
The practical bits, for when you just need milk, a chemist or a big shop.
Everything you might need to reach in one place — from us, to emergency services, taxis and the ferries home. In a life-threatening emergency, always dial 999.
A gentle note
Lionstone House is a much-loved Victorian property, and the exterior is awaiting its next phase of restoration — so it looks a little more weathered than the freshly prepared flats inside. Thank you for being part of its journey as we bring this special seaside home back to its best.