Route 12 is the scenic way to the West Wight. From Newport it runs through Carisbrooke and the Bowcombe valley to Shorwell and Brighstone. It then goes past Mottistone, Brook and Compton Bay to Freshwater Bay, Freshwater and Totland, ending at the Needles Landmark Attraction at Alum Bay.
It runs about every two hours, with seven or eight buses each way Monday to Saturday and five on Sundays. It is the bus for walkers on the downs and the coast path, and for the campsites around Shorwell and Freshwater.
Glamping site · Carisbrooke · 10 min walk to the stop
Stop: Bowcombe Barn Farm · Carisbrooke Bowcombe Barn Farm stop, about 550m in a straight line. Or walk about ten minutes from Carisbrooke High Street. The site is down a quiet lane.
Tents, motorhomes, shepherd's huts, cottages
from £38/night
ViewPop-up campsite · Shorwell · 5 min walk to the stop
Stop: Westcourt · Shorwell Westcourt Farm stop on the Limerstone Road. The site says buses stop at its entrance. It is open in the school summer holidays only.
Tents, motorhomes, bell tents
from £20/night
ViewPop-up campsite · Brook · a couple of minutes' walk to the stop
Stop: Sun Inn Hulverstone
Tents
Prices on request
ViewSmall certificated site · Freshwater · 5 min walk to the stop
Stop: Southdown Road
Members only · join the Caravan and Motorhome Club to stay
Caravans, motorhomes
Prices on request
ViewCampsite · Freshwater · 5 min walk to the stop
Stop: Freshwater Fire Station · Freshwater Fire Station stop, about 400m in a straight line. The field is down Court Road, a single-track lane. It is for organised groups in July and August.
Pre-pitched tents
from £112.50/night
ViewHoliday park · Colwell Bay · 5 min walk to the stop
Stop: Coastguard Cottages Totland
Cottages, lodges
from £45/night
ViewCampsite · Totland · 10 min walk to the stop
Stop: Church Hill · Totland Christ Church stop, about 400m from the site on Weston Lane, opposite the Highdown Inn.
Tents, caravans, motorhomes, cottages
from £24.50/night
ViewNo campsites match all of those.
The timetable from Sunday 27 September 2026 is the same as summer 2026. Southern Vectis made no changes to route 12 for summer or winter. Monday to Saturday, buses leave Newport at 09:30, 10:40, 13:20, 15:40, 17:40, 20:55 and 23:10, plus 08:28 Monday to Friday. The 20:55 stops at Totland and does not go on to Alum Bay. On Sundays buses leave Newport at 09:30, 10:40, 13:20, 15:40 and 17:40.
From Alum Bay the last bus to Newport is 18:50 Monday to Saturday and 16:45 on Sundays. A later Monday to Saturday bus starts from Totland at 21:40. The whole trip takes about 55 minutes.
Troopers View is a summer holiday pop-up beside the road at Shorwell. At the western end, route 12 shares its stops in Freshwater and Totland with route 7, which runs much more often.
For a site near the beach, see campsites near Compton Bay and campsites near Freshwater Bay.
Single fares are capped at £3 under the Government scheme, which was still running in October 2026. A 24 Hour Rover costs £11.40 on the app or £11.70 on paper for an adult (October 2026). Contactless tap on, tap off charges no more than the best daily fare.
Up to two dogs normally travel free but not on the seats. Luggage is carried where it is safe. Folding bikes are allowed if there is room in the luggage area. Electric bikes and scooters are not allowed.
In Freshwater, Totland and Alum Bay you can change to route 7 for Yarmouth and the Lymington ferry. In season you can also change to the Needles Breezer. In Newport, buses run on to Cowes, East Cowes and Ryde.
About every two hours. There are seven or eight journeys each way Monday to Saturday and five on Sundays between Newport and Alum Bay, on the timetable from 27 September 2026.
Yes. Route 12 stops at Brook, near Compton Bay, and at Compton Farm, on its way between Brighstone and Freshwater Bay.
23:10 Monday to Saturday, reaching Alum Bay at 23:56, and 17:40 on Sundays, on the timetable from 27 September 2026.
7 campsites are within a short walk of a stop: Windmill Campersite, Troopers View Campsite, Chapelfurlong Farm, The Bungalow CL, Freshwater Camp Equipment Trust Campsite, The Bay Colwell and Stoats Farm Caravan and Camping.
