Drive off the ferry and head for Briddlesford Farm– look out for the giant straw bale person at the entrance to know where to turn! On site you’ll find Bluebell’s Café serving tasty breakfast options using local produce, including the farm’s own bangers, butter and halloumi.

A working dairy farm since 1923, Briddlesford Farm are famous for their lovely herd of rare Guernsey cows, producing award winning milk, cream, cheese and more. There’s a rustic farm shop on site selling locally grown veg, local meats, their own cheeses and more – we recommend trying Briddlesford Farm’s Milkshake, a creamy non-homogenized milk available in a range of flavours – and to take home, their award winning halloumi and “fetter” are a must for cheese lovers, and a lump of Briddlesford salted butter to slather on bread or crumpets.

If you’ve got time at the very end of your day, tours of the farm are available on “Welly Wednesdays” between 2pm and 4pm, a chance to meet ‘the girls’ and find out more about this family run farm – and even sit on a tractor.

Just a short drive from Briddlesford Farm is the Harvey Browns Food Hall, a one-stop-shop for Isle of Wight produce. At this modern farm shop, you’ll find a deli counter, seasonal fruit and veg, bread from Island artisan bakers, local produce and more. It’s a great place to stop off at along the way, stocking up on local goods to take home for friends and family – or to fill your cupboard at home. 

Harvey Brown’s is at the centre of a four-generation family farm in Arreton Valley, their signature crop being Isle of Wight Asparagus, also growing strawberries, potatoes, squash, brassicas, sweet corn and grains. The Island’s rich soils and warm climate makes for excellent conditions growing fruit and vegetables.

Along the road from Harvey Browns is The Garlic Farm, the ideal place to stretch your legs and stop for a spot of lunch. Here you’ll find pretty woodland walks through the grounds, a seasonal wildflower garden, a children’s play area, tractor rides and a farm shop.

At the Garlic Farm restaurant, you’ll find a delicious menu using local produce and of course, packed full of garlicky goodness. With it’s rustic beams and large windows drenching the space with light, the restaurant is an inviting place to relax and eat, with a crackling log burner in winter, sunny gardens in summer and views of red squirrels playing outside. 

Thanks to the Island’s unique climate, more hours of sunlight and rich chalky soils, garlic ‘grows like stink’ on the farm (pardon the pun).

From the original ‘Solent Wight ‘garlic local to the Island to the giant Elephant garlic, The Garlic Farm grows over 20 varieties and produce their own range of delicious garlic infused chutneys and condiments too. You’ll find all of these and more to try and buy at the farm shop on site. 

The next stop on your culinary tour of the Island is Adgestone Vineyard. Situated on Brading Downs, the 10-acre vineyard is a picturesque spot offering far reaching views of towards the sea. On a sunny day at the vineyard, it’s very easy to forget you’re in England. 

From the end of March, you can book in for a “Grape to Glass” experience, where you’ll be guided round the vines learning more about viticulture, the growing seasons and producing English wines – finishing with a tour of one of the last the subterranean commercial cellars still used at Adgestone. You can choose to take just the tour, have a wine tasting session or enjoy a “The whole vineyard experience” and do both. 

There is a wine shop on site, so you can take a bottle (or two) of your favourites with you, as well as a café and live music in the afternoons between 1pm to 3pm in the summer. Look out for ‘Something Blue’ while you’re there – we won’t spoil the surprise! 

Finish off your foodie day out with a bite at the Mermaid Bar, taking its name from the Isle of Wight Distillery’s locally produced, and very popular, Mermaid gin, vodka and spiced rum. Situated on the outskirts of Ryde with countryside views, sit back and relax with a Mermaid and Tonic on the sun terrace to round off your culinary adventure.

From the restaurant inside, you’ll see the stills in action through a glass wall. All Mermaid spirits distilled on site and infused with local ingredients to give them their distinct taste. There’s a ‘Spirit Taster’ board available to purchase from the shop and knowledgeable staff are on hand to talk you through the distillation process.

At the bar you’ll find a great choice of Mermaid cocktails to try, and there’s a menu with light bites, mains, burgers and pizzas if you’ve still got room. 

It's a 25-minute drive from the Isle of Wight Distillery to the Red Funnel terminal in East Cowes, please arrive good time ahead of your crossing.