Ryde

Ryde is the largest town on the Isle of Wight.

Understand
Ryde is in the north-east of the island. With grand Georgian and Victorian houses, it rises up from the 1/2-mile-long pier and into the hills behind. The pier was built in 1814 and now houses the high-speed ferry link operated by Wightlink to and from Portsmouth, and the terminus for the island's electric railway which runs to Shanklin. The pier is one of only a few in the country that you can drive your car along and park it at the end for the ferry.

The long high street houses a wide variety of shops and boutiques and takes you down to the Esplanade with its golden sand beaches and wide choice of activities. The Esplanade consists of a ten-pin bowling alley, indoor ice rink, swimming pool, and a nightclub as well as numerous amusement arcades and children's play areas.

Further from the Esplanade, is the Promenade which stretches from the esplanade to Puckpool Park. Along the Promenade is Appley Tower, a Victorian Folly and nearby is Appley gardens.

Get in
By ferry or hovercraft:
 * The Fast Cat operated by Wightlink runs just about every half hour in the summer.
 * The Hovercraft run by Hovertravel also leaves every half hour.

Get around
Island Line trains run a regular service from the Fastcat terminal at the pier head. This stops at: Ryde Esplanade, Ryde St John's, Smallbrook Junction, Brading, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. This service operates former London Underground rolling stock.

Southern Vectis has a bus terminal at the foot of the pier adjacent to the Ryde Esplanade railway station.

Do

 * Ryde Carnival is on three days in late Auugust/early September. Day 1 is the children's event, Day 2 the main carnival, and Day 3 is the night carnival.
 * Ryde Carnival is on three days in late Auugust/early September. Day 1 is the children's event, Day 2 the main carnival, and Day 3 is the night carnival.

Connect
Ryde has 4G from all UK carriers. As of June 2022, 5G has not reached town.

Go next

 * The rest of the Isle of Wight is all within a short drive.
 * The ferry takes you back to Portsmouth on the mainland, or you can sail from Cowes to Southampton.