Ryde at one time had many famous part-time residents including: The Duke of Buckingham, Earl Spencer, Lord Vernon, the list goes on. All this long before mainland resorts like Bournemouth became popular with the wealthy.

Anthony Minghella whose film the, 'English Patient'  won numerous Oscar awards in 1997, was born in Ryde, and his family supply not only the Island, but many prestigious outlets with fine Italian ice cream.

Nuns at the local convent  sing Gregorian chants, their records are sold world-wide.

Because of it's rail and ferry links, Ryde gets more day visitors than other Island towns, and therefore a larger share of tourist pound. This has spawned some sophisticated shops by Island standards and made Union street (a street that runs steeply from the seafront to the High street), a busy place in the summer months. Ryde though, is a large Island town and it doesn't rely solely on the tourist trade.

Originally the town was two hamlets built on a north facing hill, one at the sea end and the other at the top. Like most other Island coastal towns it used to make its living by fishing. Along came the Victorians and up went the houses, and some very nice houses too. The architecture was influenced by nearby Osborne house.   Ryde has some very fine Victorian buildings.

Ryde is not the best Island resort as it's north facing and has a far reaching low tide that puts the sea too far back for most. But, there are plenty of hotels and a good night life. It also has the convenience of having good transport links.

Ryde, has some good cafe´s, pubs and shops, and is definitely worth a shopping day out.

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