Windmill Campersite on the Isle of Wight

What kind of campsite is this? That was pretty much my first thought when I arrived at Windmill Campersite on the Isle of Wight. And the longer I wandered around, the clearer it became that I probably wasn’t going to leave again anytime soon.

I had originally booked two nights and deliberately left a third night open. I wanted to keep the option of staying somewhere else on the Isle of Wight afterwards.
Well, that plan didn’t last very long.
During my first walk around the campsite, when I was shown around, I already knew: I wanted to stay for that third night too. Luckily, there was still availability, so I was able to extend my stay spontaneously. Looking back, I probably could have stayed for another two weeks.

Because Windmill Campersite is definitely not just an ordinary campsite. There’s a UFO parked next to a military helicopter, a James Bond submarine enjoying its rather unusual retirement here, and somewhere in between you’ll find a pirate ship, some seriously crazy-looking chickens, a little cinema, and a shower complete with disco lights and music. And no, I didn’t make any of that up.

A Campsite Full of Personality

Windmill Campersite is run by a father and son team, with the father being the creative driving force behind the place. And you can tell that someone here really enjoys doing things a little differently.
A lot of it is handmade, completely individual, and comes with a goof portion of humour. There are little details, funny signs and quirky ideas everywhere that you probably wouldn’t expect to find at your average campsite.

I have to admit, before arriving, I was a little worried that all the different accommodations, quirky ideas and vintage pieces might make the campsite feel a bit cluttered and messy. There’s certainly a lot going on in the photos I have seen.

But it was actually the complete opposite. Everything was spotlessly clean and well maintained, the different areas were spacious, and nothing felt cluttered or chaotic. There was plenty of room, while at the same time, there was always something new to discover.
I have to admit, that really surprised me in the best possible way. I’m all for a campsite being a little crazy. Just not at the expense of feeling cosy.

My Little Home: Millie

For my stay, I chose Millie, a cosy little Shepherd’s Hut for two, and it turned out to be absolutely perfect for me. Millie is small and cosy, with a comfortable double bed, a little sink and electricity. There’s also a private seating area outside and a parking space. Guests can use all of the campsite’s communal facilities during their stay.

I felt at home there straight away. Because it’s such a small and cosy space, it quickly feels like your own little home away from home.
For one person, I’d absolutely recommend it. For two, I’d just be a little careful with the amount of luggage you bring. Two large suitcases could make things a little too cosy. If you’re travelling by car and can leave some of your luggage there, it’s obviously a bit easier.
For me, travelling alone, Millie was absolutely perfect.

You Never Really Feel Alone Here

I was given such a warm welcome at the campsite and was shown around the grounds with plenty of wit and charm. It quickly became clear that Windmill Campersite is much more than just a collection of quirky accommodations. There’s a cosy communal area where you can cook, eat, hang out or simply have a chat with the other guests.

Even though I was travelling around the Isle of Wight on my own, I never really felt alone there. I kept getting chatting to other guests, whether while cooking, sitting around the fire in the evening, or simply somewhere around the campsite. I met some genuinely lovely and interesting people along the way.

At the same time, the campsite is small enough that it never feels busy or crowded. You can easily find a quiet spot and have some time to yourself. For me, that balance was just perfect.

The Social Area: Where the Action Happens

The Social Area is almost an attraction in its own right. There’s a converted double-decker bus that serves as the communal kitchen, with washing-up facilities, a dishwasher, fridge, kettle, toaster and even a dedicated pizza prep area. Upstairs, you can sit and eat together when the weather isn’t playing along. Tea and coffee are also available for free.

When the weather is good, though, I’d much rather cook outside. There’s good old Big Bertha, a huge BBQ station with a potato oven and pizza oven. There’s also a fire pit with seating and plenty of space to enjoy a meal together outdoors. Firewood, charcoal and firelighters are all provided free of charge by the campsite.

And once you’ve cooked and eaten, the evening is far from over. The Pigs Ballroom is home to a seriously cool silent disco. Headphones on, music up and off you go. For a campsite, that’s pretty impressive.
Honestly, it was probably my favourite spot on the whole site!
Otherwise, things are wonderfully relaxed. People gather around the fire, roast marshmallows and naturally end up chatting with other guests.

A Little Honesty Shop

If you happen to be missing something while cooking, there’s a little Honesty Shop on site. You’ll find the essentials and those little things you always seem to forget when camping. Everything works on trust: just take what you need, leave the money in the box or make a note of your purchases and pay later.
And, of course, there are fresh eggs from the campsite chickens too.
I really like little concepts like this. It fits perfectly with the relaxed atmosphere of the place.

A Campsite Made for Exploring

There’s plenty to discover around the campsite beyond the accommodations themselves. It’s a particularly great place for kids, with the Black Pearl, a pirate ship to play on, various other play areas and even a little cinema.
There’s also plenty of space to run around and explore, so kids definitely won’t get bored here anytime soon.

There are also animals around the site, including a horse and, of course, the seriously cool chickens with their rather outrageous home. I’ve honestly never seen a chicken coop with quite so much personality.

The ShowerShack: A Shower with Disco Lights and Tunes

And then there’s the ShowerShack. Warning: it’s almost too good to be true! A regular shower would probably have been far too boring for this campsite, so instead you get a waterfall shower, disco lights, music and even an “Emergency Manilow Button.”

I don’t think I need to say much more about it. Showering has rarely been this entertaining.
There are also other bathroom facilities around the campsite, including a toilet called The Turdis, which is a pretty obvious nod to Doctor Who.

And Then There’s the Chapel

Yes, there’s even a little chapel. And, of course, this wouldn’t be Windmill Campersite if it were just a pretty little chapel.
Instead, there’s a direct telephone line to God.

You’ll find little touches like this all over the campsite. Funny signs, quirky details and little surprises that make you stop for a moment and smile. There’s simply no way to mention them all. Otherwise, this article would probably turn into a complete Windmill Campersite encyclopedia.

The Most Unusual Places to Stay

Millie was the perfect choice for me. But of course, Windmill Campersite has some much wilder accommodation options too. So, if a little Shepherd’s Hut isn’t quite your thing, there are some pretty unusual, and above all, much bigger alternatives.

Galahad: Sleeping in a Military Helicopter

Galahad is an original Westland Wessex XT469 from 1965, which was once used as a rescue helicopter. Today, you can actually spend the night inside it. Many of the original details have been preserved, and the helicopter has been converted into accommodation for up to four people.
I mean, how many people can say they’ve slept in a real military helicopter on the Isle of Wight?

HMS Bond: A Little James Bond Magic

One step crazier is HMS Bond. It’s the original submarine prop from the 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough. The former film prop was bought on eBay and transformed into accommodation for up to five people.
There are two double beds and a bunk bed. You probably shouldn’t expect much headroom, but you do get a whole lot of film history and, I imagine, a pretty good conversation starter for the next morning.

Pluto: Staying in a UFO

And then there’s Pluto. The UFO really does look as if it has just landed on the Isle of Wight from somewhere out in space. It comes with a little base station with a kitchen and additional sleeping space.
Inside the UFO itself, there’s a large curved bed and, of course, the obligatory space lights.
If you ever get the chance to sleep in a UFO, you might as well go for it.

The Shack: Camping with a Pedal Organ

A little less science fiction, but just as unusual, is The Shack. This quirky accommodation was built on the chassis of a former Ganges bus from 1948 and can sleep up to five people. It has two bedrooms, a 1950s-style kitchen, a bathroom, a Victorian spiral staircase and a thatched roof.
And a pedal organ.
Why not?

There are plenty of other lovely accommodation options to discover around the campsite. There’s also a dedicated area for guests who bring their own tent, campervan or caravan.

Cycling Around the Isle of Wight

For exploring the Isle of Wight, I rented a bike. What I hadn’t really realised beforehand: the Isle of Wight is pretty hilly.
Very hilly. Phew!
I honestly expected cycling around the island to be a little more relaxed. So, if you’re planning to explore the island by bike too, definitely don’t underestimate those hills.
That said, I really enjoyed having a bike. You experience the landscape in a completely different way, and it was a lovely way to explore the island.

Windmill Campersite is pretty centrally located on the island, making it a great base for exploring. Carisbrooke, a small village with a pub and a supermarket, is also just nearby. And there are plenty of lovely places to discover in every direction across the Isle of Wight.

My Conclusion: Windmill Campersite

Windmill Campersite is definitely not your average campsite. I arrived with two nights booked and had already decided during my very first walk around the site that I wanted to stay for another night.

Millie was the perfect little accommodation for me. But what I loved even more were all the thoughtful little details, the relaxed atmosphere and the lovely people I met there.
If you’re looking for somewhere a little different on the Isle of Wight and fancy a campsite with a good dose of humour, I’d definitely put Windmill Campersite on your list.

And if you can’t decide between the UFO, military helicopter, James Bond submarine and Shepherd’s Hut: I guess you’ll just have to come back more often. 😉

My tip: The most unusual accommodations can be booked up well in advance. So, if you’re hoping to stay in Galahad, HMS Bond or Pluto, make sure to book early.

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