Sandhills Holiday Park

The crunch of gravel underfoot, the tang of salt air drifting in from the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight — Sandhills sits where Bembridge's quiet coastal charm meets practical year-round camping.

This one works for families after a straightforward island base, caravanners who appreciate uncomplicated pitches, and tenters happy to keep things simple. Bembridge itself is a proper sailing village with a working harbour and beach access, the sort of place where you can potter about without needing a rigid itinerary. Dog walkers will find coastal paths within easy reach, and anglers have Bembridge Angling Club just down the road if the sea's too wild for the shore. The island's compact enough that you're never far from a cliff walk or a harbour-side pint.

Facilities aren't shouted about here, so it's worth checking what's available when you arrive — same goes for campfires, which may or may not be allowed depending on conditions. It's a laid-back, no-frills sort of spot: pick your pitch, settle in, and use it as a proper island jumping-off point rather than a destination in itself.