10 Best Places to Go Shopping on the Isle of Wight

Newport is the Isle of Wight’s busiest retail town, with its High Street boasting a mix of independent stores and global clothing chains. You’ll find a variety of specialist outlets tucked away down narrow alleyways. Besides the main precinct, Newport’s Victorian and Georgian squares are home to shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Major chains on Newport High Street include JD Sports, Pandora, and Trespass. For souvenirs and vintage records, head to local stores like Artisan and Sounds Great. While you’re in the area, you might want to check out the Museum of Island History, which occupies the former Guildhall.

Established in 2018, the Cowes Town Central Shopping Arcade takes on the theme of a 19th-century shopping street on the Isle of Wight. Each of the arcade’s 14 retailers sells a unique range of speciality products that include home fragrances, jewellery, gin, sweets, homewares, and quirky gifts like Star Wars souvenirs. It's also home to its own Post Office.

You’ll find the Cowes Town Central Shopping Arcade on the High Street just a stone’s throw from the harbour. It’s usually busiest between noon and 3 pm, so you might want to visit near the opening time at 10 am to avoid the queues.

St Thomas' Square is home to some of Newport’s most notable Victorian and Georgian architecture plus a range of both big-brand and independent stores. On Friday, the square hosts the Isle of Wight Farmers Market, where you can stock up on produce and treats from the island. There are also a variety of charming cafes and restaurants for when you're feeling peckish.

On some Saturdays and Sundays, themed events and markets take over St Thomas' Square. Keep your eyes peeled for the Day of Christmas Festival if visiting during the festive season. While you’re here, you might want to check out historical landmarks such as the 18th-century Newport Minster and the War Memorial.

Head to Cross Street in Ryde if you’re searching for quirky gifts, souvenirs, or clothing from independent fashion labels. It's where you’ll find a variety of boutique stores and local cafes. For vintage clothing, head to Rogues of Ryde or The Velvet Pig. To browse unique fashion designs, visit a store like Bouchic or Islandia.

From March to December, The Christmas Imaginarium is one of the most popular stores on Cross Street. This festive emporium is owned by Russel Ince, who is the author of the popular children’s Christmas book, Santa Claus: A Book of Secrets.

Union Street in Ryde is home to an abundance of locally owned stores, clothing outlets, gift shops, and boutiques. It’s also home to the Royal Victoria Arcade, cafes, and restaurants serving cuisines including Indian, Thai, and Sri Lankan. The Esplanade is located at the far north of Union Street.

Some of the most popular clothing stores on Union Street include Mia, House of Zabre, and The Velvet Pig. You can stock up on collectible comics at the Fantastic Store or local souvenirs at Number 66 Cards and Gifts. If you’re shopping for antiques, drop by a store like Jacks or Deja Vu.

The High Street is where you’ll find the highest concentration of shops in Ryde, which is the Isle of Wight’s largest town. In addition to major brands, the High Street is home to a wide selection of local stores selling products ranging from skateboard accessories to discounted books.

While browsing the High Street, we recommend looking inside locally adored stores such as the Ryde Bookshop, WightTrash and Barrow Boys. For discounted fashion items, head to Peacocks. For clothing from an independent store, try Mountain Warehouse, M&Co, or Osbornes.

Arreton is home to a selection of shops that showcase the Isle of Wight’s creatives and artisans, and that's despite it being a small village nestled in the countryside. Here, you can also stock up on local produce, homemade desserts, and local toys. Besides shopping outlets and workshops, Arreton boasts an arcade, traditional pubs, and a 12th-century church.

If you’re looking for local crafts, you might want to browse the homemade products at shops such as The Craft Cabin, Isle of Wight Studio Glass, and Ceramic Crafts. For unique gifts sourced from all over the world, head to The Corn Exchange. The popular Arreton Barns is home to crafts stores, arcade games, cafes, and more.

The Royal Victoria Arcade on Union Street in Ryde occupies a Grade II-listed building that was constructed during the 19th century. Inside, you’ll find around 14 retailers selling products such as antiques and quirky gifts. The arcade is also home to The Museum of Ryde, which is situated underground in the arcade’s former market.

The Royal Victoria Arcade is only open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. We’d recommend setting aside at least 2 hours to browse the arcade’s stores and The Museum of Ryde. After shopping at the arcade, you’ll find plenty of quirky shops and independent clothing stores on Union Street.

Cowes High Street is where you’ll find many shops that specialise in men’s and women’s outdoor clothing. The popular seaport town of Cowes is home to a selection of independent stores facing the waterfront along the High Street. You can also stock up on souvenirs from nautical-themed outlets and gift shops.

Cowes High Street runs all the way from The Anchor Inn near the harbour to the Island Sailing Club near the pink-coloured Commodores House. Some of the street’s top-rated shops include the Pocket Full of Pebbles children’s store, the White Stuff Cowes clothing store, and Wine Therapy.

Sandown is a seaside resort with a High Street that’s lined with candy stores, gift shops, and a few hardware stores. You’ll also find cafes, restaurants, and takeaways. It's situated on the eastern shore of the Isle of Wight and running parallel to the High Street is the Esplanade, which borders Sandown Beach.

Some of Sandown High Street’s best gift and thrift stores include Present Times, Creekwood Gifts, and Kaleidoscope. Head to The Rock Shop for sweets and seaside treats. For clothing and accessories, try stores such as Bags of Sandown, Rachelles, and Not Just Denim.