Priory Beach

Priory Bay is on the eastern coast of the Isle of Wight just east of Nettlestone. It takes its name from a small priory that was once connected to St Helen’s Old Church nearby.

The bay runs from Horestone Point to Nodes Point and is edged by 7.5 acres of National Trust woodland known as Priory Woods. The only access is by walking from either of these points along the coastal footpath.

Stretching 1/2 mile in length, the bay looks across the Solent to Selsey Bill on the mainland. The beach is sandy with some pebbles and is bordered by rocks and the remains of coastal defences. These were intended to protect the cliffs from the constant erosion by the sea.

The shallow bay slopes gently towards the Gull Bank, a sandbar that creates a lagoon of water at low tide. It’s too shallow for swimming but ideal for paddling.

It’s a popular bay for visiting boats to drop anchor adding to the picturesque setting.