Camping on the Red Squirrel Trail: Where to Stop Overnight on the Isle of Wight

The Red Squirrel Trail is one of those rides that gets under your skin. Thirty-two miles of mostly traffic-free cycling through the heart of the Isle of Wight, through estuaries, woodland, farmland and a stretch of coastline that makes you wonder why you don't do this more often.

Whether you're doing the full loop, tackling it over two days, or just riding a section with the family, at some point you're going to want to know where you can stop for the night.

Here's the honest guide.

How long does the Red Squirrel Trail take?

Most cyclists doing the full 32-mile loop take a day, but plenty split it into two days, particularly families or anyone who wants to actually stop and look at things rather than just get round. The trail runs from Cowes to Sandown and Shanklin via Newport, with a southern loop taking in Wroxall and Godshill before rejoining at Merstone. It's mostly flat on the old railway paths, with a few rougher sections and some hillier stretches around Godshill worth knowing about in advance.

Where can you camp on or near the Red Squirrel Trail?

Options are genuinely limited, which is part of why planning ahead matters.

For the western and central sections of the trail, most cyclists either push through to Sandown or Shanklin on the east coast, where there are several larger campsites, or they look for something closer to the route itself.

If you want to stop roughly in the middle of the island rather than diverting to the coast, your options get narrower. There's no campsite sitting right on the trail, but there is one sitting 4 kilometres from Merstone Junction, just as the route heads towards Sandown.

That's us. Rusty Meadow Campsite, near Godshill.

We're not going to pretend we're on the trail itself, but four kilometres from Merstone is about as close as you'll get without wild camping, and the detour is a gentle one. You're back on the route the next morning before most people have eaten breakfast.

What's at Rusty Meadow for cyclists?

We built this place with people like you in mind. Bike lock points on site, a solar charging hut for phones and lights, drinking water, a washing up station and firepits to hire. Pitch up from £15 a night. Book in advance or just turn up and pay by QR code. No faff, no fuss.

If you want a proper bed rather than a tent, Rusty's Retreat is our bell tent with a super king bed, armchairs and fairy lights. Lean the bike outside and sleep like a human being for once.

Godshill village is a 15-minute walk for pub food, tea rooms and a small shop if you need to refuel properly.

What about the eastern end of the trail?

If you're completing the loop and heading into Sandown or Shanklin, there are several larger, well-established campsites in that area. They're worth looking at if you want more facilities or hook-ups.

A note on the rougher sections

The stretch around Godshill on the Stenbury Trail section is worth knowing about. It's a field bridleway that can be bumpy in dry weather and muddy in wet. Road bikes will find it tough. Gravel bikes and hybrids handle it fine. If you're on a road bike, the lane alternative around that section is worth taking.

Getting to Rusty Meadow from the trail

From Merstone Junction, follow the signs towards Godshill. We're about 4 kilometres along that road. There's plenty of space to park bikes securely overnight, pubs nearby for that well earned beer and some grub and we even have pretty bike rack planters! We are properly leaning in!