Isle of Wight Coast Path

Guided Trail

Code: FWLIC

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Coastal
Newly Refurbished

Level

From £699.00 - 7 nights

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Prices are per person

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Holiday overview

The Isle of Wight Coast Path circuits the island in an anti-clockwise direction and provides a wonderful opportunity to view the island’s beautiful and varied coastline, which is interspersed with pretty coastal villages and Victorian resorts. It includes some inland walking around Queen Victoria’s Osborne Estate, Cowes and Newtown Harbour National Nature Reserve.

Holiday Highlights

A circuit of the Isle of Wight coast
The dramatic chalk headlands of the Needles and Culver Cliff at opposite ends of the island
Walking through the lush undercliff, visiting the Victorian resort of Ventnor

What’s included

7 nights’ Full Board en-suite accommodation with all meals
The services of an experienced HF Holidays’ guide
All transport to and from the route is provided on walking days
Social activities in the evening

Explore the Isle of Wight with HF Holidays

Walking holidays Isle of Wight HF Holidays

Accommodation

Visit England 4 star guest accommodation logo at HF Holidays

Freshwater Bay House dates from the 1790s and is a prominent local landmark, occupying a premier coastal location below the chalk cliffs of Tennyson Down. As a comfortable Country House it makes an excellent base for our walking and leisure activity holidays.

Bedrooms

Freshwater Bay House has 48 bedrooms located in the main building and a cottage in the grounds. Many of the rooms have sea views, whilst others overlook the gardens and downs.

Our classic bedrooms offer comfortable accommodation and an en-suite bathroom with bath or shower. They also have TV, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities. Single rooms are available for an extra £8 per night.

You can enjoy extra space or exceptional views plus additional facilities including a towelling robe and complimentary slippers when you upgrade to a premium bedroom. Premium rooms are available at just £5 extra per person per night.

If you are travelling with your family, we have a selection of 3 and 4-bedded family bedrooms. These have all the facilities of our classic rooms plus full sized twin or double beds for adults and bunk beds or occasional beds for children.

A limited number of value twin rooms are available at a discount of £8 per person per night and value single rooms with a £5 per night discount. Our value rooms have the same facilities as our classic rooms, but bathroom facilities are nearby rather than en-suite.

Facilities

All our Country Houses are tailored to the needs of walkers and outdoor enthusiasts and have excellent boot and drying rooms.

Freshwater Bay House has three lounges with views across the bay. There is also an attractive dining room and bar. The multi-purpose activity room can either be used as a painting studio, or as a games room with table tennis and a Nintendo Wii. Free WiFi is available in some public rooms. There is also a range of board games and books.

The heated outdoor swimming pool is usually open from Easter to September, depending on the weather, and is very popular with our guests.

Freshwater Bay House sits in extensive gardens with steps down to the beach. Outside there is a putting green, croquet lawn, table football, badminton and tennis. For children there is an outdoor playground, plus outdoor games.

Freshwater Bay also has a Dandelion Café serving a range of coffee and speciality leaf teas, plus snacks and sandwiches. It is also licensed, offering beer, spirits, and a variety of wines from around the world.

Food

All holidays at our Country Houses are Full Board with all meals included, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on the day of your departure.

Start your day with our extensive breakfast. Choose from a wide selection on the cold buffet and/or a full cooked breakfast. Maybe enjoy a lighter option of fruit and yoghurt followed by scrambled egg, go for porridge followed by a full English breakfast, or select something in between.

Choose from our famous self-select picnic lunches - everything you need to keep you going on a day outdoors. Your own choice of sandwiches is prepared to order, and you can add crisps and snacks, fruit, nuts, chocolate bars, sweets and biscuits as you wish.

Our house-based Leisure Activities include an in-house lunch (generally soup, sandwiches etc).

The relaxed dinner is a highlight of any stay at our Country Houses. With tables seating up to 10 and no seating plan, it offers a great opportunity to get to know your fellow guests. There is always a choice of dishes for every course, featuring good British cooking and often local specialities. A vegetarian option is always available.

All our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.

Evening

Guided Walking: enjoy a glass of wine or local beer in the bar before a talk about the next day's walks. After dinner there will be an activity or entertainment which you will be welcome to join. These vary from week to week but could include a talk on wildlife or the island’s rich history from a local speaker or a team quiz. Alternatively if you prefer, feel free to just relax in our lounge or bar.

Leisure Activities: many of our Leisure Activities holidays continue into the evening with programmed sessions. Other holidays will have the evenings free, and you will be welcome to join in other social activities that may be happening in the house.

Family holidays: our activity leaders are on hand to organise children’s activities and games for younger children before dinner. These could include rounders, outdoor games, or crafts. After dinner there are further activities for the whole family.

Self-Guided Walking: there may be evening social activities happening in the house during your holiday, and you will be most welcome to join in. However, not all self-guided holidays will have evening activities available – if these are important to you, please check before booking.

Accessibility

Arrival & car parking facilities

Specific disabled parking bays are available at the front of the house and there is a comprehensive disabled ramp leading into the main entrance of the building
The main car park is a grassed area

Main entrance & reception

Disabled ramp leading up to the main entrance. There are double doors at the top of the ramp (140cm wide) leading into the foyer
Alternatively, you can reach the main entrance up six concrete steps. Each step is16cm high. Grab rails are provided on both sides of the main entrance (the main door is 170cm wide)
There is one step (13cm high) leading up to the reception area with a portable ramp available on request. Seating is available in the foyer area
All public areas are carpeted with a short-pile carpet

Hall, stairs, landing & corridors

All public areas are carpeted. The corridors are 1.5m wide, all carpeted and well lit, including night lights
A public telephone is located on the ground floor, the door width of 86cm

Public areas - sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc

On the ground floor, there is ballroom, bar, dining room, large lounge and ladies and gents toilets
A loop system has been installed in the ballroom (you need your hearing aid switched to T for this facility)
The large lounge has sliding patio doors also leading into the garden and pool area. These doors are 114cm wide

Public WCs

Fully accessible ladies and gents toilets are available on the ground floor.

Dining room & bar

The corridor leading to the dining room is 123cm wide with short pile carpet throughout
Dining room tables have an underspace of 73cm and all furniture is flexible
Double patio doors (100cm wide) lead from the dining room to garden
All meals served are with waitress service
The bar is located on the ground floor. The bar is 1.25m high

Bedrooms

There are 3 single rooms and 3 double rooms on the ground floor. Access to these rooms is via 2 steps (62cm in total height) with a portable ramp available.

Room 1 (especially adapted for wheelchair use):

Entrance door 102cm wide, room size 4m x 3.5m, fully carpeted
Single bed, bedside cabinet, armchair, dressing table and wardrobe with lower hanging rail fitted
All electric plugs and sockets have been fitted in lower position
Bathroom fully adapted
Bathroom fully adjusted for wheelchair use. Entrance 89cm and vinyl flooring
Sink has 87cm underspace, lightcords have been extended and a flexible shaving mirror fitted
Roll in shower with space of 115cm x 78cm. Special shower chair available on request. All shower accessories have been adapted for wheelchair user (incl. soap dishes, grab rails, coat hooks etc)
Toilet is 51cm high, extended toilet seat available on request. Easy transfer from wheelchair to toilet
Total bathroom size 290 x 203cm

Room 4

Entrance door 108cm. Large and bright room with easy access to main areas of the house
Double bedded room, sleeping area suitable for wheelchair user
Although the sleeping area is suitable for wheelchair user, the bathroom has not been adapted
The entrance to shower has a lip of 8cm in height

Other bedrooms are situated on the first and second floors

There are 21 steps to first floor, 16cm high, 32cm deep and 122cm wide
There are a total of 40 steps from the ground floor to the second floor
Most of the other rooms are en-suite, some with shower, others with both shower and bath. There is vinyl flooring in all bathrooms

Grounds and gardens

Access to the beach via private steps (rather steep) in the hotel garden
Garden is level, with tarmac pathways

Additional information

Fire procedure is displayed in each room and explained to guests on arrival. Guests requiring assistance at an evacuation are identified at this time and door hanger cards are issued
Mobile phone reception is generally good from the main building
Assistance dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired guests are welcome; dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times
Information can be provided in large print
Staff have received disability awareness training
Special diets can be catered for. Specialist food can be obtained with prior notice
Hired equipment can be arranged for your stay with prior notice
Fridge for medication can be supplied

Itinerary

Planned Itinerary

Freshwater Bay to Blackgang

From Freshwater Bay and an initial ascent over the chalk cliffs of Compton Down, we pass Hanover Point with its fossil forest. Along these cliffs you see evidence of the battle against the sea. We reach the Blackgang Chine theme park where we ascend to the Gore Down viewpoint for a spectacular view back along the coast. 12½ miles (20km), with 1,650 feet (500m) of ascent

Blackgang to Sandown

This section of coast has been prone to erosion and for much of the day we'll walk through the 'Undercliff' or on the escarpment cliffs above. Blackgang is on one of the most dramatic sections of this inland cliff and we pass St Catherine’s Point, the southern-most tip of the island. We continue to the village of St Lawrence, and then descend to the coast passing the Botanic Gardens into the Victorian seaside town of Ventnor. We follow the promenade to Bonchurch, with its ancient St Boniface church, then through the richly vegetated Landslip (so named as it suffered in the great landslip of 1810), to Shanklin with its Victorian elegance and once the home of the poet John Keats. We follow the promenade to the resort of Sandown. 12 miles (19km), with 1350 feet (410m) of ascent

Sandown to Ryde

From Sandown we ascend onto the chalk cliffs of Culver Down with the Yarborough Monument and magnificent views over the island. We pass the cliffs of Whitecliff Bay and on to Bembridge at the eastern tip of the island. Around the harbour we pass the tidemill and cross a causeway to the beach at St Helens Duver. As we follow the coast to Ryde you'll see the Solent Forts, built in the early 19th-century to guard the approaches to Portsmouth against French invasions. 11 miles (17.5km), with 800 feet (250m) of ascent

Ryde to Gurnard Bay

Around the northern tip of the island from Ryde we head west past the ruins of Quarr Abbey, a once-flourishing Cistercian Monastery, and on past Fishbourne with its ferry boats to Portsmouth and to Wootton Bridge. The path heads inland around Queen Victoria’s Osborne House estate. To avoid road walking we take a bus to East Cowes and cross the chain-ferry to Cowes. We pass the Royal Yacht Squadron Club House, with its 19 bronze cannons, to Egypt Point and Gurnard Bay. 9½ miles (15.5km), with 900 feet (270m) of ascent

Gurnard Bay to Cranmore

We ascend the cliffs above Gurnard Bay, with magnificent views across the Solent and Southampton Water. After Thorness Bay the coastal path heads inland around the tidal creeks of the Newtown River. We pass the villages of Porchfield and Newtown. Newtown was the Island’s capital in the Middle Ages and once a thriving port and commercial centre. Continuing over the causeway to Shalfleet we head back to the coast at Hamstead Point and on to Cranmore. 11½ miles (18.5km), with 800 feet (240m) of ascent

Cranmore to Freshwater Bay

We pass Yarmouth with its historic castle and busy harbour and continue along the coast past Fort Victoria with views over the Solent to Hurst Castle. After Totland Bay, we ascend onto Headen Warren with its Bronze Age camp; a delightfully peaceful spot before the bright lights and music of the Alum Bay theme park. The most dramatic section of the coast path is the Needles; the chalk stacks that mark the western tip of the island before the outstanding final section along the chalk cliffs of Tennyson Down back to Freshwater Bay. 12 miles (19km), with 1350 feet (410m) of ascent

The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the leader with regard to the weather and other external factors

Local area

The Isle of Wight is a delightful haven away from the bustle of the mainland, easily reached by ferry. Broadly diamond shaped, the island is 25 miles long and 15 miles wide. This makes it ideally sized for a week’s walking and exploration.

Freshwater Bay
Freshwater Bay is a small semi-circular cove at the foot of the garden of Freshwater Bay House. There is a pebble beach here, or better sandy beaches approximately 3 miles away at Totland Bay or Colwell Bay. Shops and banks are located in Freshwater village, about 30 minutes’ walk away.

Yarmouth
The small harbour town of Yarmouth is located 3 miles north of Freshwater Bay; either a 10 minutes drive, a pleasant 1 hour walk, or reached using the 'Needles Breezer' open-top bus. Yarmouth has a selection of small shops and pubs, and there's always a bustle of activity around the harbour. Yarmouth's Tudor castle is also worth a visit. www.english-heritage.org.uk/yarmouth-castle/

Osborne House
Queen Victoria’s island residence, managed by English Heritage, is located near East Cowes at the north of the island. Enjoy the lavish interiors and take time to explore the extensive grounds which slope down to the Solent. Osborne House is about 40 minutes drive from Freshwater Bay. During the main season (May to Sept) we offer an excursion to Osborne on most Wednesdays. www.english-heritage.org.uk/osborne-house

Carisbrooke Castle
A fine medieval castle situated near Newport in the heart of the island. The castle's most famous 'resident' was King Charles I, who was imprisoned here after the English Civil War. Walk around the impressive walls and visit the castle's famous well where donkeys are used to raise the water using a large treadmill. The castle is around 20 minutes' drive from freshwater Bay, and can also be reached direct using the number 12 bus. www.english-heritage.org.uk/carisbrooke-castle

Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Step back in time and ride this vintage steam railway from Wootton to Smallbrook Junction. The railway has a particularly historic collection of locomotives and rolling stock, including many wooden 4-wheeled carriages dating from the the 19th Century. The main station is at Havenstreet where you'll also find a museum and the line's workshops. The steam railway is about 45 minutes' drive away, but can also be reached by local bus, via Newport. www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

Blackgang Chine
This fantasy theme park is a big hit with children of all ages. Attractions include Cowboy village, 'Fantasyland', maze and the giant snakes and ladders. Adults may also enjoy the maritime exhibition and working sawmill. Blackgang is 20 minutes' drive from Freshwater Bay and in Summer can be reached using the 'Island Coaster' bus. www.blackgangchine.com

Ventnor Botanical Gardens
The island's rich climate enables Mediterranean plants to prosper. Enjoy magnificent floral displays and relaxing gardens. Ventnor is 30 minutes' drive from Freshwater Bay and in Summer can be reached using the 'Island Coaster' bus. www.botanic.co.uk

Travel

Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight PO40 9RB

New at HF Holidays Let us help you get to Freshwater Bay House

Our own ferry and taxi transfers: We offer a reduced price transfer between Lymington Pier railway station and Freshwater Bay House every Saturday and Wednesday (Friday and Monday in the low season). This includes your foot passenger ferry ticket (on 1500, 1600 or 1700 Wightlink Ferries) and the taxi from Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay House. On departure day the taxi transfer will get you back to Yarmouth to catch the 0845 or 1005 Wightlink Ferries. The transfer is £20 return, but a place must be reserved in advance by calling our Reservations team on 0345 470 7558.

By train: The nearest train station is Lymington Pier on the mainland. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7278 5240).

Car parking at Lymington: There is a pay and display car park at Lymington Pier. The cost is approx £8 per day and is to be paid on your outward journey. You cannot pre-book the car park but there is a large overflow car park nearby.

Ferry options:

Wightlink Ferries from Lymington to Yarmouth (foot passenger and car)

Red Funnel Ferries from Southampton to West Cowes (car ferry and foot passengers) − this is often the cheapest option if you want to take your car to the Isle of Wight.

By car: From Yarmouth turn right out of the ferry terminal onto the A3054 and over the bridge across the River Yar. After 1 mile turn left down Pixley Hill, signposted to Freshwater Bay. At the double roundabout by the Co-op turn left onto the A3055 and follow this road to the seafront at Freshwater Bay. Turn right passing the Albion Hotel on the left. The entrance to Freshwater Bay House is beyond on your left. Look out for our sign. A car park is available in the grounds with free parking.

To help you plan your journey, use www.traveline.info

Reviews

Date & Rating	Customer Review	HF Holidays says
11 May 2016, 8:10 a.m. Service rating: ++ Product rating: ++	Service review: No review provided Product review: Excellent refurbished room overlooking the sea. Plenty of high quality food. Friendly and helpful staff though a few language problems with the mainly young staff. Well organised walks except one day when return transport did not arrive.
26 Apr 2016, 9:16 a.m. Service rating: ++ Product rating: ++	Service review: First class accommodation and care from the staff Product review: Enjoyed the walking and the attention to detail from the staff at the house was secial
25 Apr 2016, 9:46 a.m. Service rating: ++ Product rating: ++	Service review: Very well organised Product review: A pleasure all round. Comfortable hotel, beautiful scenery, challenging but fun walking, delightful companions and knowledgeable leader. Just what was needed
13 Oct 2015, 3:47 p.m. Service rating: + Product rating: ++	Service review: There was a minor problem with the administration when booking the holiday, but otherwise everything went well. Product review: The standard of the house and staff and the quality of the food was excellent. The leader was very good and the trail was enjoyable.
12 Oct 2015, 1:05 p.m. Service rating: ++ Product rating: ++	Service review: excellent Product review: excelent
24 Sep 2015, 6:59 p.m. Service rating: + Product rating: +	Service review: Can be a little expensive but always provide good service! Product review: Tiring week but enjoyed the location and staff, however the hotel looks a little tired!
22 Sep 2015, 5:58 p.m. Service rating: + Product rating: +	Service review: I abandoned online booking as it was a nightmare. Booked by phone which was fine. Online final payment was worse. On my first attempt, every window indicated a final payment amount of £600.00. After I'd entered my card details and thought I was finalising the transaction, a red pop-up window appeared with an amount of £605.00. The following night when I finally paid this did not happen. I received no confirmation of payment. Hotel and walks were excellent. Product review: Hotel, staff, and walks leader were excellent. I do think, however, that the IOW Coastal Path walk is misnamed. With all the diversions there is far too much road walking.
22 Apr 2015, 6:41 a.m. Service rating: + Product rating: +	Service review: No review provided Product review: good facilities
15 Oct 2014, 3:11 p.m. Service rating: ++ Product rating: ++	Service review: Well organised bookings. Product review: Great walk.
25 Sep 2014, 1:55 p.m. Service rating: + Product rating: ++	Service review: An excellent base for the round-the-island walk. Enjoyable food, good service. A small moan about the poor showers on the top floor - more a dribble than a shower! Product review: Well led and care taken with mixed abilities of the walkers. Group bonded well and made a thoroughly enjoyable holiday.

An excellent base for the round-the-island walk. Enjoyable food, good service. A small moan about the poor showers on the top floor - more a dribble than a shower!

Product review:

Well led and care taken with mixed abilities of the walkers. Group bonded well and made a thoroughly enjoyable holiday.

Dates & Prices

Date	Description	Nights	Brochure price	Buy today for	Book
14 Apr 2017	FWLIC - Isle of Wight Coast Path - Freshwater Bay	7	£769.00	£699.00 TOP DEAL Early Booking Offer - save £70 pp	Book Now
20 May 2017	FWLIC - Isle of Wight Coast Path - Freshwater Bay	7	£839.00	£769.00 TOP DEAL Early Booking Offer - save £70 pp	Book Now
24 Jun 2017	FWLIC - Isle of Wight Coast Path - Freshwater Bay	7	£839.00	£769.00 TOP DEAL Early Booking Offer - save £70 pp	Book Now
16 Sep 2017	FWLIC - Isle of Wight Coast Path - Freshwater Bay	7	£839.00	£769.00 TOP DEAL Early Booking Offer - save £70 pp	Book Now
7 Oct 2017	FWLIC - Isle of Wight Coast Path - Freshwater Bay	7	£769.00	£699.00 TOP DEAL Early Booking Offer - save £70 pp	Book Now

Prices are per person

Information

Standard single room: (2016) £8 per night; (2017) no supplement
Premium single room: £15 per night (2017 only)
Premium twin/double room: (2016) £5 per person per night; (2017) £10 per person per night
Non-member associate fee: (2016) £5 per person; (2017) £10 per person