The village of St Helens is named in dedication to St Helena Church, a church built in the 12th century. Only the tower of the church remains, as the rest was eroded away by the sea. Like many coastal communities, St Helens has many a story of shipwrecks and smuggling. The large, sheltered bay made it a hotspot for illicit nighttime activity during the 18th and 19th centuries, with contraband reportedly hidden in nearby cottages and outbuildings.
St Helens is located on the eastern side of the Isle of Wight, between Bembridge and Seaview. The village itself is based around a village green, and it’s about a 10-minute walk to the coast.
St Helens is perfect for a peaceful island escape. Browse our holiday homes in St Helens — from village-centre homes near the green to coastal retreats on the edge of Bembridge Harbour.
One of the main draws is St Helens Duver, a National Trust coastal nature reserve and beach area. Once a Victorian golf course that was as popular as St Andrews, this unique area now has sandy beaches, rock pools, sand dunes and coastal woods all within the same space. It’s perfect for picnicking, beachcombing, paddleboarding or simply relaxing.
Nearby Priory Bay offers calm waters ideal for swimming and a fun spot for flying kites, whilst walkers can enjoy the coastal path linking to Seaview or Bembridge.
If you’re staying in the area you can’t pass up the opportunity to see the remains of the old St Helens Church tower - a well-known local landmark that stands dramatically on the shoreline.
As you’d expect from a small village, there are a handful of cafes and places to eat in St Helens. Not being far from Ryde and Sandown provides more options, but we find a lot of our holidaymakers love to cook at their self-catering accommodation in St Helens, enjoying the slower pace of life.
St Helens is around a 10-minute drive from Ryde and roughly 20 minutes from Sandown. Visitors arriving from the mainland can reach the area via ferry to Ryde Pier or Fishbourne, then travel by car, taxi or local bus.
The Island’s Southern Vectis bus network connects St Helens to nearby coastal destinations including Bembridge, Ryde and Shanklin. For cyclists, there are quiet lanes and scenic routes along the coast and through neighbouring villages - perfect for leisurely exploration.
The village green at the heart of St Helens is claimed to be the largest in England.
St Helens is known for the St Helens Duver — a National Trust coastal nature reserve with beaches, rock pools, and sand dunes — and for the ruins of the medieval St Helena Church tower standing alone on the shoreline after the building was claimed by the sea.
St Helens Duver is a National Trust coastal nature reserve at the entrance to Bembridge Harbour. Once a Victorian golf course reportedly as celebrated as St Andrews, it now combines sandy beaches, sand dunes, coastal woodland, and rock pools. Excellent for walking, birdwatching, beach play, and picnicking.
Yes — the Duver and Priory Bay are both well-suited to families with young children. The beaches are shallow and safe, the NT reserve offers excellent free outdoor exploration, and the village pace allows children to roam freely. A good choice for families seeking something genuinely relaxed and nature-focused.
The closest mainland ferry is the Wightlink car ferry to Fishbourne (approximately 10–15minutes' drive). The Wightlink catamaran and Hovertravel hovercraft to Ryde are also approximately 10 minutes away by car. Southern Vectis buses connect St Helens to Ryde, Bembridge, and Sandown.
St Helens Fort is one of several Palmerston sea forts built in the Solent during the 1860s. It stands offshore and is visible from the Duver at low tide. One of four sea forts in the Solent, it cannot be accessed from shore.
The Vine Inn on the village green is the main option in the village. The Duver café operates in summer. For more choice, Ryde (10 minutes north) and Sandown (20 minutes south) have broad restaurant and café selections.
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