When is the best time to camp on the Isle of Wight?

The sweet spots are late May and June before the schools break up, and September once they've gone back. The sea is warmest in late August and September; campsites are quietest and cheapest outside the school holidays. Use the month pages to see which campsites are open and what a night costs.

Month by month

• March and April: many campsites open around Easter. Cold nights, empty paths, lambs on the downs.
• May: the Walking Festival, bluebells and long evenings. Bank holiday weekends are busy and often have minimum stays.
• June: longest days and good value outside the Isle of Wight Festival week.
• July: warm and busy from mid-month, with the Round the Island Race early on.
• August: peak prices and peak crowds, Cowes Week, and the best chance of beach weather. Book early.
• September: warm sea, quiet beaches and lower prices. Many people's favourite month.
• October: the Island's long October half term keeps some sites open; most close by the end of the month.
• Winter: a handful of sites stay open all year, plus lodges and holiday homes.

How prices change

Campsites price by season: school holidays and bank holidays cost the most, and many add weekend rates and minimum stays. Every campsite page has a price calendar for the next twelve months, so you can see the cheapest nights at a glance, and the price comparison prices every campsite for your dates at once.