The Isle of Wight Coast Path
From imposing chalk cliffs to peaceful river estuaries, the
Isle of Wight coast has a huge variety of landscapes and
moods. Heading in a clockwise direction we’ll absorb the
ever-changing sea views as we explore this much-loved
island.
Detailed information
| Detailed itinerary |
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66 miles with 12 to 15 miles and up to 1,175ft of ascent in
a day. |
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival day
Day 2: Freshwater to Cranmore
Distance: 20km (12½ miles), 360m (1,175ft ) of ascent
We walk across pleasant downland turf over Tennyson Down and
out to the Needles with the Old and New Batteries and the
Black Knight missile test site. (The best view of the Needles
is from the Old Battery which is National Trust property so
don't forget your card if you are a member!) We then descend
to Alum Bay, of multicoloured sand fame, with fine views over
the Needles Passage to Hurst Castle. From here we climb over
Heddon Hill with its Bronze Age camp and along to Fort Victoria
which guarded the back entrance to Portsmouth. The walk then
continues through the picturesque port of Yarmouth and through
an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Cranmore where we meet
our coach back to Freshwater Bay House.
Day 3: Cranmore to West Cowes
Distance: 23½km (14¾ miles), 210m (700ft) of ascent
Today our coach will take us to Cranmore from where we will
walk to Newtown, the ancient capital of Wight. After looking
at the old Town Hall we walk to Porchfield and on past Thorness
Bay where we're likely to see wading birds, including oyster
catchers, ringed plovers and redshanks. It was at this beach
during World War II that the pipeline used to supply fuel
to the invading allied forces came ashore. We pass around
Egypt Point, the most northerly point on the island, before
reaching West Cowes where there should be time to explore
before meeting our coach back to base.
Day 4: Kite Hill to Sandown
Distance: 22km (13¾ miles), 295m (1,000ft) of ascent
Kite Hill on the other side of Wootton Bridge is our start
point today. We follow the path above Wootton Creek, then
along country lanes and fields to Ryde. The walk is now full
of variety with views across the Solent. We continue via the
Toll Road to Seagrove Bay. Here we go inland for a short distance
before returning to the coastline, passing the Old Seamark
Church Tower and on to St Helens Duver. The path then goes
over the causeway past St Helens Tidemill, through the harbour
to Bembridge. We continue inland to Bembridge then on to rejoin
the coast path at the bottom of the playing fields of Bembridge
School, which houses a collection of works by John Ruskin.
After arriving at Whitecliff Bay we ascend Culver Cliff with
magnificent views over this part of the island, on to the
downs. We descend to Sandown for tea and finally take the
coach back to our Country House accommodation from Fort Street coach park.
Day 5: Free day
Day 6: Sandown to Gore Down
Distance: 19½km (12¼ miles), 255m (850ft) of ascent
Starting from Sandown, we walk along the promenade to Shanklin
Old Town. Shanklin, which still retains some of its Victorian
elegance, was once home to John Keats and he is commemorated
within the town by Keats Inn and Keats Green. From here we
climb along quiet roads towards Luccombe before descending
on much improved paths through The Landslip, so named as it
suffered in the great landslip of 1810. The area was further
disturbed in 1928 and continues to slip very gradually. We
pass through Bonchurch with the church of St Boniface, one
of the oldest and smallest on the island. The route is then
via Ventnor, the island's oldest resort, and past the Botanic
Gardens. Thanks to Ventnor's mild climate, the Garden contains
palms and many other varieties of sub-tropical plants. We
walk along the undercliff to St Laurence where the path rises
to the cliff edge and continues at this level to Blackgang
Chine and Gore Down from where we take the coach back to Freshwater Bay.
Day 7: Blackgang to Freshwater Cliffs
Distance: 20km (12½ miles), 255m (850ft) of ascent
From Blackgang the path follows the cliff edge, via Whale
Chine and Chale Bay. Whale Chine is the most spectacular in
a series of Chines along this stretch of the coastline. Chale
Bay was at one time known as the "Bay of Death";
sixty ships were lost here between 1746 and 1808. We continue
on past Shepherds Chine and Cowleaze Chine. Nearby are the
Wealdon Beds which have yielded fossilised remains of dinosaurs.
We descend the steep sides of Grange Chine and head towards
Hanover Point via Brook Bay. Within a mile of Hanover Point
the coastal path traverses rocks representing a time span
of over 20 million years. Passing Compton Bay we climb over
Freshwater Cliffs to complete our journey at our Country House accommodation.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast
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| Dates and prices |
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| Isle of Wight Coast Path |
Fri 21 March 2008 (Easter) |
7 |
£519 |
| Isle of Wight Coast Path |
Sat 14 June 2008 |
7 |
£609 |
| Isle of Wight Coast Path |
Sat 16 September 2008 |
7 |
£609 |
Premium single & twin room supplement: £5 per person, per night
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| Average temperatures |
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| March |
3°C |
10°C |
| June |
10°C |
19°C |
| Sept |
10°C |
19°C |
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Where you'll stay
You'll be based in for the week in our fine Country House accommodation, Freshwater
Bay House, which stands in the semi-circular bay of Freshwater on the Isle
of Wight. Each day you and your party will be taken to the days starting point.
No need to repack your bags each day!
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