The Downs Breezer: Ryde, Robin Hill, Sandown, Bembridge and the campsites on the route
The Downs Breezer is a summer open-top bus that makes one big loop from Ryde. It heads west past Quarr Abbey to Wootton and the steam railway station, then climbs over the downs to Robin Hill. From there it runs along the top to Brading Down and drops to Sandown seafront and Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. It comes back via Whitecliff Bay, Bembridge, St Helens and Seaview to Ryde.
In 2026 it ran daily from 23 May to 26 September, with four buses a day, about every two hours. It did not run from 18 to 22 June during the Isle of Wight Festival. The season has now ended. Check islandbuses.info in spring 2027 for next year's dates.
Farm campsite · Wootton Bridge · 10 min walk to the stop
Kite Hill Farm Caravan & Camping Park
Stop: Wootton Bridge Kite Hill (SW-bound) · Wootton Bridge Kite Hill stop, about 450m in a straight line from the farm off Firestone Copse Road.
Tents, caravans, motorhomes
- Dogs welcome
from £22/night
ViewPop-up campsite · Wootton Bridge · 5 min walk to the stop
Oakdene Orchard
Stop: Wootton Station (adjacent)
Tents
- Dogs welcome
- Campfires
Prices on request
View
Glamping site · Newchurch · 10 min walk to the stop
The Garlic Farm Yurts
Stop: Knighton Mersley Down (E-bound)
Yurts
- No dogs
- Campfires
- Glamping
from £100/night
ViewHoliday park · Sandown · a couple of minutes' walk to the stop
Fort Holiday Park
Stop: Sandown Fort Mews (adjacent)
Static caravans
- No dogs
- Near beach
Prices on request
View
Holiday park · Bembridge · 5 min walk to the stop
Sandhills Holiday Park
Stop: Whitecliff Bay, opposite Peacock Hill · Whitecliff Bay stop opposite Peacock Hill, about 450m in a straight line. Caravans only, and no dogs.
Static caravans, lodges
- No dogs
- Near beach
from £69.29/night
View
Holiday park · Bembridge · a couple of minutes' walk to the stop
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park
Stop: Whitecliff Bay (opp) · Whitecliff Bay stop, about 200m from the park on Hillway Road. About an hour from Ryde on the loop.
Tents, static caravans, lodges
- Dogs welcome
- Pool
- Near beach
from £13/night
ViewGlamping site · Bembridge · a couple of minutes' walk to the stop
Kingswood Bembridge (glamping)
Stop: Bembridge, opposite Kingswood Centre
Bell tents
- Near beach
- Glamping
Prices on request
View
Holiday park · St Helens · 5 min walk to the stop
St Helens Coastal Resort
Stop: St Helens, outside The Vine · St Helens stop outside The Vine, about 250m from the park on Field Lane.
Lodges, static caravans
- Dogs welcome
- Pool
Prices on request
ViewHoliday park · St Helens · 5 min walk to the stop
Old Mill Holiday Park
Stop: St Helens Guildford Road (adjacent) · St Helens Guildford Road stop, about 250m from the park on Mill Road.
Static caravans, lodges, cabins
- No dogs
- Near beach
- Glamping
from £65.71/night
View
Small certificated site · St Helens · a couple of minutes' walk to the stop
Fakenham Farm CS
Stop: St Helens, opposite Nodes Point · St Helens stop opposite Nodes Point, about 130m from the farm on Eddington Road. Camping and Caravanning Club members only.
Members only · join the Camping and Caravanning Club to stay
Tents, caravans, motorhomes
- Dogs welcome
- Near beach
from £15/night
View
Holiday park · St Helens · 5 min walk to the stop
Nodes Point Holiday Park
Stop: St Helens, opposite Nodes Point · St Helens stop opposite Nodes Point, about 400m from the park entrance on Nodes Road.
Tents, caravans, motorhomes, safari tents, static caravans
- Some dogs
- Pool
- Near beach
- Glamping
from £12/night
ViewNo campsites match all of those.
How often it ran in 2026
Buses left Ryde Transport Interchange at 09:55, 11:55, 14:15 and 16:15. A full loop took about an hour and a half. Robin Hill was 22 minutes from Ryde, Sandown about 45 minutes and Whitecliff Bay about an hour. The last bus got back to Ryde at 17:38.
Because the route is a one-way loop, the trip back to a campsite can mean riding the rest of the way round. Some open-top buses may be swapped for closed-top ones.
Tickets
The Breezer is not part of the Government's £3 fare cap, and concessionary bus passes are not accepted. Ordinary Rover tickets do not cover it. For 2026, a 24 Hour Rover + Breezer costs £15.50 on the app or £16.20 on paper for an adult, and £8.50 or £8.90 for a child aged 5 to 16. A 48 Hour Rover + Breezer is £19.80 or £20.50. Single fares are sold by the driver.
Campsites you can reach
The eastern half of the loop passes a string of holiday parks at Whitecliff Bay and St Helens. Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park and Nodes Point both take tents. Route 8 serves the same stretch all year.
See campsites near Robin Hill and campsites near Whitecliff Bay.
Luggage, dogs and bikes
Up to two dogs normally travel free on Southern Vectis buses, off the seats. Luggage is carried where it is safe. Folding bikes are allowed if there is room. Electric bikes and scooters are not allowed.
Where it connects
Ryde Transport Interchange is beside Ryde Esplanade station and the hovercraft to Southsea. The 2026 timetable was set to connect with ferries and the hovercraft. See campsites near the Ryde ferry. Wootton is a station on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Questions people ask
When does the Downs Breezer run?
In 2026 it ran daily from 23 May to 26 September, except 18 to 22 June during the Isle of Wight Festival. It leaves Ryde about every two hours. Check islandbuses.info for the 2027 dates.
Does the Downs Breezer go to Robin Hill?
Yes. It stops outside Robin Hill Adventure Park, about 22 minutes from Ryde on the 2026 timetable.
Can I use my bus pass on the Downs Breezer?
No. Concessionary passes are not accepted and the £3 fare cap does not apply. You need a Rover + Breezer ticket or a single fare from the driver.
Which campsites can you reach on downs Breezer?
12 campsites are within a short walk of a stop: The Woodland Retreat, Kite Hill Farm Caravan & Camping Park, Oakdene Orchard, The Garlic Farm Yurts, Fort Holiday Park, Sandhills Holiday Park, Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park and Kingswood Bembridge (glamping).