Guided Walking Plus for families at Freshwater Bay

• Up to 4 guided walks each walking day - catering to all families, including an extra-short, part day walking option for little legs
• Our friendly and experienced leaders will guide you on the walks and assist with any queries you may have
• Play leaders run 'little kids' activities before dinner
• After dinner activities are suitable for the whole family – enjoy indoor and outdoor activities - and there’s also a kids-only games room

 Easier Walks    Medium Walks     Harder Walks

Holidays during 2012

7 night holidays - Sat 21 July, Sat 28 July and Sat 4 Aug

Itinerary for all 7 night holidays

Day 1: Arrival day

Meet your leaders who will tell you more about the walks. 

Day 2:

Family Walk: This walk combines Afton Downs with the dramatic coastline of Compton Bay. We take either the Tennyson Trail or the coastal path going out, and walk back to Freshwater Bay House or take the service bus. The whole family can enjoy the beach and rockpools near the fossilised forest, including pieces of tree and crocodile teeth at Hanover Point. 3 to 7 miles.

Easier Walk: A fabulous figure of eight walk over Tennyson Down, the grand chalk cliffs directly behind Freshwater Bay House. We'll continue to the view of the Needles at the very tip of the island and visit Alum Bay, famous for its coloured sands. 6½ miles with 775 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Head to the coast at Totland Bay then soak up the glorious sea view as we round the Needles headland and return over Tennyson Down. 8¾ miles with 1,025 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: A circuit of the western tip of the island. We'll follow the Yar Valley to Yarmouth, then follow the coastal path to Alum Bay, before a glorious finale over the chalk cliffs of Tennyson Down back to Freshwater Bay. 11¾ miles with 1,200 feet of ascent.

Day 3:

Family Walk: From Carisbrooke we ascend the Tennyson Trail to Bowcombe Down and Bowcombe Farm and to Little Gatcombe before turning north on the Shepherd’s Trail. Our path becomes a sunken holloway and we emerge at Whitcombe Cross. We will visit the fascinating Carisbrooke Castle (English Heritage), where donkeys demonstrate the well treadmill. 5¾ miles with 750 feet of ascent or 4¼ miles with 375 feet of ascent.

Easier Walk: We start in the pretty village of Shorwell with its thatched cottages and historic church and follow the Shepherd's Trail to the impressive castle at Carisbrooke with its well-preseved walls and famous donkey well (English Heritage - admission payable). 6 miles with 825 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Walk from the south coast to Carisbrooke Castle via Shorwell village. 8¾ miles with 1,125 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: A great walk along the spine of the island from Carisbrooke Castle to Freshwater Bay. We'll cross the hills to Shorwell then pick up the Tennyson Trail which runs atop the chalk downs, with extensive views throughout. 12¾ miles with 1,550 feet of ascent.

Day 4:

Family Walk: Starting at Bembridge Windmill we go back in time from the early 18^th century to 9 million years ago and the age of the dinosaurs. The walk is full of interest with the windmill, woods, rolling downs and quiet bays to the glorious vista on Culver Down. We end in Sandown for the beach or the Dinosaur Museum. 3¾ miles with 325 feet of ascent.

Easier Walk: Starting from the historic town of Brading we'll head first to the 18th century Bembridge Windmill. We'll then walk to the chalk cliffs of Culver Down, near the eastern tip of the island, and follow the coastal path to Sandown. 6½ miles with 575 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Soak up the sea air and views of the Solent as we follow the coastal path from Ryde to St Helens, before heading inland past the Bembridge Windmill to Brading. 9¼ miles with 375 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: From Arreton craft village, we walk along the valley under the downs before ascending Brading Down and walking along the chalk ridge, enjoying the views across the Solent to the mainland. We'll continue over Culver Down and along the coastal path to Sandown. 11¼ miles with 800 feet of ascent.

Day 5:

With no guided walks organised, this is a great opportunity for your family to explore the Isle of Wight independently - see the Local Area tab for places that you may enjoy visiting.

Day 6:  

Family Walk: We walk along the coastal promenade to the seaside town of Ventnor. Passing the Cascade and the ice-cream parlours along the front, we ascend to the Botanic Gardens to enjoy the tropical flowers and shrubs. 3 miles with 275 feet of ascent.

Easier Walk: Walk through the Victorian resort of Ventnor then on through the Undercliff to Shanklin, an area of widespread landslips and lush vegetation. 5½ miles with 650 feet of ascent. 

Medium Walk: A walk around the southeastern corner of the island from Niton to Shanklin, with great sea views from the inland cliffs and then on through the lush Undercliff beyond Ventnor. 8¼ miles with 825 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Starting from Whale Chine follow the coastal path around St Catherine's Point and then through the Undercliff to Ventnor and Shanklin. 11½ miles with 1,250 feet of ascent. 

Day 7:

Family Walk: Starting from the House we go up onto glorious Tennyson Down, with spectacular views in all directions. In a few easy miles we reach the iconic Needles and some interesting history from Napoleon to the Space Age. The children are rewarded at the walk finish at Alum Bay, with its coloured sands and mini amusement park. 4½ miles with 500 feet of ascent.

Easier Walk: Walk beside the tidal River Yar to the historic town of Yarmouth with its bustling harbour and tudor castle. We'll return on the opposite side of the river back to Freshwater Bay. 6¾ miles with 250 feet of ascent.

Medium Walk: Starting further down the coast at Chilton Chine we'll first head inland to Brighstone village. Shortly after we join the Tennyson Trail which follows the top of the chalk downs back to Freshwater Bay with widespread sea views throughout. 8¾ miles with 1,025 feet of ascent.

Harder Walk: Follow the Tennyson Trail over the downs to the Neolithic Longstone. Having descended to the coast we'll follow the coastal path back to Freshwater Bay - tide permitting it may be possible to view the fossilised forest and dinosaur footprints at Hanover Point. 11¼ miles with 975 feet of ascent.

Local transport

On some days the walks start and finish at our Country House, Freshwater Bay House. On other days you’ll be transported to other parts of the Isle of Wight. The cost of all transport to and from the walks is included in the price of your holiday.

In the evenings

Your leaders will inform you about the choice of walks for the next day and answer any questions you may have. Before dinner the play leaders will run an activity suitable for the younger children. After a sociable evening meal you could join in an evening activity created specifically for all the family - enjoy a quiz, a game of rounders or outdoor treasure hunt or use the Country House facilities - the kids will love the adult-free play zone.