Stroud House

Stroud House is a lovely and characterful Georgian house close to Freshwater Village and Freshwater Bay, surrounded by a traditional cottage garden.

Parts of it date back some 400 years, and it now provides 2 very comfortable guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms. The house retains many original features and has undergone a programme of repair/restoration over the past 10 years. In its long history it has served as the village school, Tea Rooms, and most recently as a Doctor's Surgery.

The productive vegetable garden provides garlic, shallots, onions, fruit and tomatoes during the season for guest breakfasts.

Local Walks & Attractions

Numerous footpaths and cycle routes are accessible nearby and the house provides an excellent stop over point for those walking or cycling round the IOW:

  • The Freshwater Way is almost on the doorstep and gives a lovely route to walk to Freshwater Bay and on up to Tennyson Down and the Needles.
  • Alum Bay has numerous attractions including a cable car to the beach, where you can take boat trips out to see the Needles up close and lies below Tennyson Down.
  • Headon Warren lies on the Northern shore with wonderful views of the mainland and Hurst Castle and footpaths lead down to Totland Bay.
  • Farringford House, Alfred Lord Tennyson’s home and gardens, which has been beautifully restored and is normally open to the public from May- October. The Grade 1 listed house is a 10/15 minute walk from Stroug house with ample parking. Viewing the house requires booking. farringford.co.uk
  • In the Freshwater Bay area there is Dimbola Lodge, home of Julia Margaret Cameron, a Victorian photographer. This has a museum, gallery and cafĂ©. dimbola.co.uk

Food & Drink

Restaurants, pub and cafes to suit all tastes are avaailable within a short distance.

  • The Piano Cafe, near Freshwater Bay, serves delicious coffee, lunches and evening meals with live music on certain days. thepianocafe.co.uk
  • The Red Lion is an excellent local pub and there are various takeaways in Freshwater Village close by, all within walking distance of the house. redlion-freshwater.co.uk
  • The beaches of Totland and Colwell are a short drive from the house and is where one can enjoy spectacular sunsets at either the Waterfront restaurant (Totland Bay) or The Hut (Colwell Bay). waterfrontiow.com thehutcollwell.co.uk
  • The historic town of Yarmouth is 3 miles away by road or less via the Old Railway Line for those on foot or bike, where there are several pubs and restaurants.

Guest Comments

Amazing house with a very warm and welcoming hostess; Sarah. Also, the location is great, next to Freshwater beach, Yarmouth and Alum bay! Traditional aesthetic with a beautiful garden and spacious parking lot. The breakfast is really nice as well! Worth visiting - recommended.

Giannis, August '25

The Isle of Wight is a fantastic place, but our stay at Stroud House made the weekend very special. Sarah is a wonderful, attentive but unassuming host. The house is gorgeous and homely and the rooms are spacious, comfortable and perfectly equipped, but the breakfast is the piece de resistance.

Carolina, August '23

This was our very favourite stay on our Island tour, and we wish we had stayed longer. Sarah is a brilliant host, nothing is too much trouble, and Stroud House the perfect antidote to clinical b&b's and corporate hotels, a real home, full of character, lovingly decorated, delightfully quirky and welcoming. Don't plan on weight loss with the delicious breakfasts!

Paul, June '25

Sarah is a wonderful host ! She tends to all your needs with her warm welcome, good advice to stroll around and her delicious cuisine ! Her cottage is so lovely and peaciful that it is hard to leave it. You can access Freshwater, Totland or Yarmouth very easily, either by bus or by feet (very pleasant walks)

Claire, July '25

We loved our stay at Stroud House. Simply one of the most welcoming B&Bs we have ever stayed in. We had a comfortable bedroom with sofa and large bathroom, fab host and perhaps the best breakfast on the island. We would happily recommend and return.

Anon, May '25

What a lovely cosy place in a beautiful setting. Sarah was a superb host with a wealth of local knowledge, and a supremely tasty breakfast with a range of homemade goodies - fruit compotes, granola, jams, tomatoes and even home made HP! Just fabulous, thanks so much Sarah.

Alison, Aug '25

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