West Wight

The sun came out today for the first time in ages so a friend and I headed to Freshwater Bay and sauntered up Tennyson Down. I had forgotten that the Down goes up and up and up, but luckily the views were worth it every time I had to stop to catch my breath (quite often!). We could see a long way down the west coast of the Island, as well as along the north coast with glorious views of the River Yar sparkling in the sun, Hurst Castle and Fort Albert. The Solent was flat as a pancake and very blue.

We continued to the Tennyson Monument and then down to the replica of Nodes Beacon and carried on for a while until the Old battery was in sight. We decided to head back then as we weren't sure there was still a cafe there and were getting peckish. We went back the way we came, admiring wildlife on the way; we saw a very tame robin, a kestrel, lots of small brown birds, gulls, and a very hairy brown caterpillar. There were also lots of solitary bees around, the occasional red-bottomed bumblebee and a few flies.

Back in Freshwater we had a cup of tea at a cafe but didn't fancy their sandwiches so headed down the coast to Isle of Wight Pearl, and were extremely satisfied by the food, and sorely tempted to try their cakes. We resisted, and instead strolled round the corner and walked down to Chilton Beach and along to Brook where we picked up the coastal trail and walked along the cliffs to the car park. On a couple of occasions as we walked along the beach parts of the cliff started crumbling; these were only mini falls of pebbles and soil, and we were glad nothing worse happened! The beach was, as ever, lovely and mostly deserted apart from the occasional dog walker. We didn't get back in time for cake unfortunately, but will definitely try again in the future!

View across Tennyson Down towards the Needles

Distance: approx 9.5 miles in total

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4717301.html 

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4717305.html 

Ryde to Seaview

I met up with a friend today, after we had planned to walk from Ryde to St Helen's and back. While I was waiting I watched the ducks and geese on the boating lake who were in full voice trying to woo each other and fight off competitors.  We walked along the seafront from the Duck cafe to Seaview, but the weather was against us so we called in to the bar at the Seaview Hotel to get out of the rain and have a coffee. We ended up staying for a sandwich too (yummy) before heading back into the drizzle and back to Ryde.

Despite the weather this was a lovely walk! The tide was out and the beach from Appley to Seaview looked glorious, and the views to the sea forts in the Solent were good. The  bar at the hotel was cosy and full of old prints of photos of the Island, and the sandwiches were generously filled. I shall definitely go back! 

Route: https://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4697812.html

Distance: 4 miles

Bembridge Down

We tried a new route today, much to the teenager's disgruntlement. I realised that I had never walked up Bembridge Down to Culver Cliff so as today was sunny and reasonably warm we gave it a go. I parked at Yaverland, then we crossed the road and joined the coastal path behind the sailing club climbing uphill over turf towards a shrubby area. Here the path became more formal and led through flowering hawthorn and gorse, past a derelict gun battery and then up and past a holiday village. beyond the chalets the path opened out onto Bembridge Down proper, denoted by a National Trust sign and information board. We detoured around a muddy patch then began our ascent.

The down spread out around and above us, with the beacon of the Culver Cliff monument beckoning us from the hill top. To our right was the cliff edge, and as we ascended, the extent of Sandown Bay became apparent. I knew it was a large bay but had not seen it from this impressive perspective before. We stopped for a picnic lunch on a patch of springy turf overlooking the bay, and watched the sun glinting on the sea, and container ships lining up in the channel; these appeared empty so we assumed they were waiting to be called into port in Southampton. We also watched a hawk, possibly a kestrel, glide overhead on the breeze then turn and hover effortlessly above the cliff looking for prey. Glorious.

We continued upwards and made it to the top fairly quickly. To the teenager's delight there was a café serving ice cream and fizzy drinks so we paused here for refreshment. I went and explored to the end of the promontory and discovered Culver Battery, with the remains of two large gun emplacements. There was also the site of Culver Signal Station as well as a Beacon Basket. I had had no idea any of that was there. Apparently it was used by the military until the 1960s, and not much is known about what went on there. It is now managed by the National Trust. The views across the east end of the Island from here were fantastic; I could see Brading Haven, Bembridge and St Helen's, and across to Ryde and Portsmouth.

Once I had rejoined the teenager we inspected the monument which was dedicated to the Earl of Yarborough and was quite an impressive piece of masonry. We then walked down the lane towards Bembridge Fort, which is also managed by, and being restored by, the NT, but is only open occasionally. Bembridge Fort is another Palmerstone defence against possible invasion by the French in the 1800s. After this we returned to the downland and stomped down the hill to the coastal path, retracing our steps to the car. An invigorating walk, and one that could be taken considerably further.

Distance: 3.8 miles

Route: http://gb.mapometer.com/walking/route_4283423.html

View across Sandown Bay

Landslip

Yarborough Memorial

Gun Emplacement

Bembridge Fort

Gorse