Firestone Copse, Quarr and Newnham Farm

Week two of the teenager's D of E challenge, so she decided a four and a half mile walk was in order. We headed for Firestone Copse near Wootton Bridge, and then stomped off along a main path before heading up a steep, muddy path on our right. This came out on another main path so we turned left and followed for a while before picking up a path on our right which led through the trees to the road. From here we walked back towards Wootton and came out on the main road to Ryde, which we crossed further up and picked up the bridleway that led eventually to Fishbourne Lane. Further along the lane, opposite the Fishbourne Inn, was another bridleway that led to Quarr Abbey. We paused here to admire the pigs (of course) and use the facilities, then walked through the woods to the main path to Ryde, followed this briefly, then turned right and followed the lane to the main Ryde road. We took our lives in our hands here - busy road - and dashed across when there was a gap, only to find an extremely muddy gateway to cross!

We navigated the mud, crossed the field, paddled through another gateway and entered woodland where we slithered up the muddy path. This led past a very large pond which was beautiful in the winter sunshine. There were a few ducks, coots, moorhens and cormorants on the pond. The path continued to be very muddy and ended in a gateway that was essentially in a pond. I decided, in my infinite wisdom, to try and get across with dryish feet by climbing round the fences that surrounded the gate. My first move was to stand on the lower rung of the gate itself, and this turned out to be somewhat unwise as I nearly fell off and into the water. The teenager found this hilarious... Anyway, I changed my mind and climbed through the barbed wire fence next to the gate, where the ground was drier, and got caught up in the process. The teenager took pity on me and freed my clothing and I climbed through, followed by her. 

The path led uphill past several majestic oak trees, and then onto a lane. We turned right here and followed the lane to Newnham Farm, through the back of the farmyard and a couple of fields, then squelched up a hill to the war memorial chapel at the top. The views here were magnificent and we could see as far as Portsmouth. The path led back downhill to the road, and we stopped at the Wight Milk shack to buy a pint of milk and some eggs, then followed Firestone Copse Road back to the copse, and followed some more muddy paths to the car park. Here things got civilised and I was able to buy a delicious coffee from 'Drew's Brews' coffee cart. Yum!

The weather was absolutely perfect today, and we both really enjoyed the walk. I was glad that I had put on my boots as the route was extremely wet and muddy for the most part.

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4502120.html
Distance: 4.5 miles

Firestone Copse

Pond

Oak Tree

Memorial Chapel 

Firestone Copse

Well, it was high time I got off my behind and went for a proper stomp again. With that in mind, teenager and I headed off to Firestone Copse near Wootton (on one of the hottest days of the year so far) and went for a shady stroll through the trees. It was lovely! Neither of us had ever really explored the copse so we went wherever a whim took us, turning right here, left there, and eventually ending up on the banks of Wootton Creek. Here the path was riddled with exposed roots and strewn with fir cones, with patches of golden sunlight streaming through. We were enchanted. I had only really seen the creek from the road or the ferry before, so this stretch was new to me. The path continued on and gently up, and we pottered along deserted woodland paths by the banks of dried up streams before eventually turning a corner and finding the carpark. Here we found lots of people returning from dog walking, or starting a family barbecue in the shade of the trees.

Our next stop was Quarr Abbey, where we stopped for a nice cup of tea and some people watching, before admiring the piglets (some very new born and exceedingly cute!) and heading home via the seaside where we stopped for a quick paddle. It's great to live on this Island.

Creekside Path

Quarr Piglets

Log piles

Firestone Copse and Quarr Abbey

It's been a while since my intrepid walking partner and I went for a stomp, but today was the day. We drove out to Firestone Copse near Wootton Bridge and parked the car. Our route led us along woodland pathways, with carpets of daffodils and wood anemones to our left and right, until we reached Firestone Copse Road. Turning left we followed the road until it met Kite Hill Road, the main road to Ryde. Crossing with caution we continued our route, turning left down a path next to a post box, which led to Fishbourne Lane and past the ferry terminal. We turned right up a bridleway opposite the Fishbourne Inn and followed a broad lane until we reached Quarr Abbey, home to Dominican monks on the Island. We had a glorious view of the Abbey, and paused briefly to admire their famous pigs - beautiful but smelly!

The path led downhill towards the mediaeval ruins of the original abbey, where we turned right and followed another footpath back to the main road. Taking our lives in our hands we sprinted across the road between fast cars (well, fast for the Island, and fast enough for us) and passed through a gate to a very muddy field beyond. The path quickly dried out and led through some woodland and past a large, private pond. More of a small lakelet really. Rather serene and beautiful anyway. Beyond this was a field with several stately oak trees, which we passed between, and came to a lane.

The lane led to Newnham Farm, so we followed the footpath through the farmyard and two fields, and then up a long, shallow hill. At the top we found a shrine to a local man who dies in the First World War, and also commemorated the men of Binstead and Havenstreet who also died in the war. This was a rather lovely memorial, and most unusual, so we paused for a few minutes to admire it.

The path continued down the hill to meet the other end of Firestone Copse Road, which we followed until we reached the copse and followed more woodland paths to the car park. We finished our afternoon with a visit to Briddlesford Farm Shop and the Bluebells Café. Perfect!

Route: http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4502120.html

Distance: 4.2 miles

Quarr Abbey

Medieval Abbey Ruins

Pond

War Memorial, Newnham Farm