A secluded, privately owned sandy bay between Seaview and St Helens, backed by woods and eroding cliffs, reached only on foot along the coast at low tide; for confident walkers, dog owners and anyone after quiet, with no facilities at all.
- quiet
- walking
- dogs
- scenery
What Priory Bay is like
Priory Bay is a curve of sand between Horestone Point, south of Seagrove Bay, and Nodes Point above St Helens. Woodland runs almost to the shore, and the cliffs behind the bay rise to around 40 metres. There are no roads, buildings in use or cafés on the beach, which is why people who make the effort tend to love it.
Sand is exposed mainly at low tide, with driftwood and trees along the top of the beach. The southern part of the bay is eroding: old sea defences have been breached and their remains lie scattered on the shore, and the cliffs are slipping in places. The beach and the land behind it are privately owned. The former Priory Bay Hotel above the bay closed several years ago; the owners have planning permission to redevelop it but no public opening date has been announced.
Walking in
The only way in is on foot. From the south, start at St Helens Duver, where the National Trust and the council both have car parks, and follow the shore north past Nodes Point. From the north, walk south from Seagrove Bay along the timber walkway past Horestone Point. Both routes cross rocks and sand that are only safe within about two hours of low water; the National Trust's own coastal walk from the Duver skips Priory Bay at high tide and takes an inland detour instead.
A public footpath also reaches the beach from the Seaview side and from Nodes Point; the owners describe it as rough ground with stairs. In 2022 they fenced off part of a bridleway for safety during building work, and they ask walkers not to stray from the public rights of way.
Dogs, swimming and what to bring
Priory Bay is not covered by the council's summer dog exclusion order, and the council lists it as one of its recommended year-round dog walks, describing it as quiet and remote. Keep dogs on the beach and public paths rather than the private land behind.
Priory Bay is not a designated bathing water, so it has no official rating; the nearest tested waters, Seagrove to the north and St Helens to the south, were both rated Excellent in 2025. There are no lifeguards, toilets, bins or refreshments, so bring water, food and a bag for your rubbish, and wear shoes that cope with wet rocks. Nearest toilets and cafés are at Seagrove Bay and St Helens Duver.
Parking and buses
The most practical base is St Helens Duver. The National Trust car park there is paid through the JustPark app (location code 80680) and is free for members who register their card; there is no overnight parking. The council's St Helens Duver car park (PayByPhone 84044) charges standard long-stay rates from £2.05 an hour. Allow around 20 minutes to walk from either to the bay at low tide.
By bus, Southern Vectis route 8 and the summer Island Coaster stop at Nodes Point, the closest stop to the bay, and in Seaview for the northern approach. From Seaview you can also park in the council's Pier Road car park and walk via Seagrove Bay.
Dogs at Priory Bay
Not in the council's seasonal dog exclusion order. The council's April 2026 guide lists Priory Bay among its year-round dog beaches. The land behind the beach is private, so keep dogs on the public paths and the foreshore.
- January: dogs allowed
- February: dogs allowed
- March: dogs allowed
- April: dogs allowed
- May: dogs allowed
- June: dogs allowed
- July: dogs allowed
- August: dogs allowed
- September: dogs allowed
- October: dogs allowed
- November: dogs allowed
- December: dogs allowed
Dogs allowedNo dogs
For every beach on one page, see our Isle of Wight beach dog ban dates.
Parking and buses
| Car park | Postcode | Prices | Walk |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Helens Duver (National Trust)National Trust | PO33 1XZ | National Trust car park: pay through the JustPark app (location code 80680); free for National Trust members who register their card in the app; no overnight parking. Prices not published on the Trust's page. | about 20 minutes along the shore at low tide |
| St Helens Duver car park (council)Isle of Wight CouncilPayByPhone 84044 | – | Council long stay off-street: £2.05 up to 1 hour, £3.60 1–2 hours, £6.20 2–4 hours, £8.30 4–6 hours, £12.50 6–10 hours, £2.00 overnight 6pm–8am (council tariff page, checked October 2026) | about 15–20 minutes along the shore at low tide |
By bus: Southern Vectis routes 8, Island Coaster to St Helens Nodes Point. Route 8 and the summer Island Coaster stop at Nodes Point on the road above the coast; from there you walk down to the shore. The Island Coaster ran from 28 March to 26 September in 2026.
Staying safe
The walk in along the shore is only safe within about two hours of low water; outside that you face a scramble over slippery rocks, and you can be cut off by the rising tide. Check tide times and leave with the tide still falling. The cliffs behind the southern part of the bay are actively eroding and old sea defences lie broken on the beach, so keep away from the cliff foot and watch for debris. There are no lifeguards, toilets or other facilities, so tell someone where you are going. In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Local tips
- Plan the walk around low tide and set off while the tide is still going out.
- Combine Priory Bay with St Helens Duver: park at the Duver, walk north at low tide, and finish at the café there.
- Take everything with you; there are no bins or facilities on the beach.
- Stay on public paths; the woods and old hotel grounds behind the beach are private.
Sources
- Isle of Wight Council: 14 beaches where you can walk your dog all year round (30 April 2026) (checked 2026-10-16)
- Isle of Wight Council: Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for dogs (checked 2026-10-16)
- Isle of Wight Council: PSPO dog exclusion order, Schedule 2 beaches (checked 2026-10-16)
- RNLI: find my nearest lifeguarded beach (no Isle of Wight beaches listed for 2026) (checked 2026-10-16)
- National Trust: St Helens Duver (checked 2026-10-16)
- National Trust: coastal walk at St Helens Duver (checked 2026-10-16)
- Isle of Wight Council: Seaview, St Helens and Bembridge parking (checked 2026-10-16)
- Isle of Wight Council: public toilets managed by town and parish councils (checked 2026-10-16)
- Isle of Wight Guru: what is happening at Priory Bay Hotel (updated 2026) (checked 2026-10-16)
- Wikipedia: Priory Bay (checked 2026-10-16)
- Wikipedia: Seagrove Bay (checked 2026-10-16)
- Environment Agency bathing water profile: Seagrove (2025 classification) (checked 2026-10-16)
- Environment Agency bathing water profile: St Helens (2025 classification) (checked 2026-10-16)
- bustimes.org: Southern Vectis route 8 timetable and stops (data dated 14 September 2026) (checked 2026-10-16)
- Southern Vectis: Island Coaster 2026 season (checked 2026-10-16)
- bustimes.org: Island Coaster stop list (checked 2026-10-16)
- OpenStreetMap: beach outlines, coastline, car parks, toilets and cafés (via Overpass API) (checked 2026-10-16)
