Monks Bay

Monks Bay is a small, rocky cove at the heart of Bonchurch, one of the most picturesque and unspoilt villages on the Isle of Wight. The beach sits at the base of the steep, wooded Undercliff, reached by a short path from the village's Shore Road, and is framed by lush vegetation growing almost to the water's edge. The bay is rocky and intimate, with boulders and pebbles dominating the foreshore, and is more of a rock-pooling and exploring beach than a swimming or sunbathing destination. Bonchurch itself is worth exploring: the ancient Norman church, the village pond, and the densely planted gardens give it a character quite different from the island's more conventional resorts. The poet Algernon Charles Swinburne grew up here, and Charles Dickens worked on 'David Copperfield' while staying in the village.

Dogs are welcome at Monks Bay year-round with no restrictions, and the rocky terrain and low visitor numbers make it a pleasantly calm dog walk. The combination of the bay, the coastal path, and the village lanes creates a satisfying short circuit. At low tide the rocks and boulders provide interesting terrain for exploration, and the seclusion of the cove means dogs can be given reasonable freedom. Access is easy from Shore Road, where there is limited roadside parking. There are no facilities at the beach itself, but the Bonchurch Inn, one of the island's most characterful pubs, is a short walk away.