Seaside village hailed for beaches & shops tipped to be top holiday hotspot

THIS stunning seaside village has been hailed for its beaches and shops and is tipped to be a top holiday hotspot this summer.

Visitors have raved about the picturesque setting, vibrant community and buzzing high street packed with independent businesses.

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A survey carried out by online review site TripAdvisor has seen Bembridge, Isle of Wight, come out on top in their list of emerging UK destinations.

Over 80% of those polled said that they are planning a holiday between June and August and the rankings put Bembridge front and centre in those discussions.

The village has received overwhelmingly positive reviews and there are around 200 crossings to the island per day from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington.

It even won Countryfile’s ‘Village of the Year’ award in 2019, which has contributed to a sharp uptick in tourism.

The BBC judges praised its “wonderful coastal setting” and “busy village community”.

Sitting on the most easterly point of the Channel island, Bembridge overlooks the spectacular Culver headland, which boasts a more than 300ft high chalk cliff.

The vast white rock towers over Whitecliff Bay, creating a sheltered cove.

It has its own harbour, pier and small airport, as well as three beaches to enjoy the beautiful summer sunsets.

With a population of around 4,000 it enjoys the hubbub of a small town, while retaining its traditional village aesthetic.

Island locals and tourists alike flock to Bembridge for sailing and rock pooling, as well as the gorgeous Bembridge Windmill, which is maintained by the National Trust.

The late-Queen Mother visited the village several times to watch Cowes Week, one of the oldest sailing regattas in the world.

Nearby there are historical attractions including a centuries-old fort and a Second World War-era anti-aircraft battery.

For those coming from Britain, and further afield, there are several accommodation options.

A large hotel sits at the back of one of the beaches, while AirBnBs and holiday cottages are available to rent all over the village.

Bembridge beat out other Isle of Wight village Ventnor, which came second in TripAdvisor’s rankings.

The areas that cracked the top 10 ranged from lesser-known spots in traditional holiday areas like Cornwall and Devon, to more out-of-the-way areas like the Scottish Highlands.

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