Oh, it's frightfully nice in Bembridge! We parked by the RNLI Lifeboat Station (once we'd figured out how the road system worked - a tad confusing), bought a pencil sharpener to get change for the parking machine, then walked along the road towards the Bembridge Coast Hotel and turned off onto a footpath just before we got there. We were following instructions from a very neat book of walks my friend had purchased, and continued under its guidance until we reached the coastal path. This followed the edge of some rather unstable cliffs, so we proceeded at a good pace bearing in mind the torrential rain that had hit the Island the previous day.
From the path we had magnificent views of Whitecliff Bay and Culver Down; I had never seen either from this direction before. On the other side of the path was a meadow, full of wildflowers and grasses and the occasional sheep. The path itself had many wildflowers and grasses too, and I recall seeing at least four varieties of grass, vetches, cow parsley and similar flowers. Very pleasant indeed. The path eventually led past Kingswood Activity Centre on the site of the former Bembridge School. There were lots of teenagers running about and having fun on site, and it looked like a great place to go to. The path turned right shortly after this, by an information board about Bembridge School and a magnificent tree that was designed to be climbed!
We followed the path to Jenny Streets Lane, turned left and downhill at the end, and then turned right into Steynes Wood; this was lovely and peaceful, full of trees and ferns and had the occasional dog walker. The path crossed the main road then continued through the wood; this was clearly less popular as the path was narrower and a little overgrown, but was still lovely. At the bottom we turned right and headed steeply up a chalk path that led between high hedges to Bembridge Windmill. We were in need of refreshment by now so we stopped for an ice lolly and a slurp of water before continuing on our way.
At the end of Windmill Lane we turned left and followed the road back towards the village before turning left down a footpath leading towards Brading Marshes. At the top of this lane was a dilapidated Victorian Villa with a large garden, which looked in desperate need of love and attention. I'd like to volunteer. Just saying. Anyway, the path came out next to the Pilot Boat Inn which looked lovely and has a good reputation I believe. We didn't stop as we had to get home to feed the children. The path continued across the road, up a private road, leading eventually down a very pleasant lane bordered on one side by really rather impressive properties. I forgot my manners and peeked over fences, through fences and over garden walls and had a jolly good nosey! I'm not sure that the couple following us were impressed - no one seemed to smile in that part of the village. The lane led back towards the beach, and we crunched along the shingle towards the lifeboat station, retrieved the car and drove home.
This was a lovely walk, and I shall definitely go again now that I think I can find my way around the village!
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| Whitecliff Bay |
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| Climbing Tree |
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| Bembridge Windmill |
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| Lifeboat Station |
Distance: 4.5 miles
Footpaths: BB42, BB13, BB10, BB15, BB22, BB36, BB3, BB19, BB5, BB34, BB7
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