iow060413

Walking on the isle of Wight Images from several years of walking on England's southern Isle

The Isle of Wight is a beautiful island with many reasons to visit. One reason is to enjoy the opportunities for walking along the many miles of paths and to take in magnificent views of the countryside and coastline alike. Walking is excellent at all times of the year and especially so in May when England's largest walking festival takes place. The 2010 Isle of Wight Walking Festival was the twelfth consecutive event and each one promises sixteen full days of walks and activities. The range of walks are suitable for all ages and abilities, and you can cover anything from a 72 mile adventure to a leisurely mile walk; and with over 300 walks to choose from there is no lack of choice. In recent years a mini-festival has been added at the end of October. This page is not intended as an advert for the Isle of Wight, however, but is a simple record of some of the walks my wife and I have done there thorough some of the many photos we have taken.


These first pictures describe a circular walk from Yarmouth alongside the River Yar to Freshwater Church, returning via Golden Hill Fort and the coastal path past Victoria Fort. We have done this walk numerous times and in both directions. The first was in May 2004 during the IOW walking festival. Then we did it twice in 2006, first just the wife and I in April and then with a group of others in June 2006. Since then we've done it several more times. The route is six and three-quarters of a mile, partly along the coast, partly along the river Yar inlet, partly in countryside and partly on quiet local roads.
	The ferry out to the island from the mainland



The walk starts from the ferry terminal and turns east along the road from the town parallel with the shoreline. It turns right along a side road a little way out of the town before turning right again onto the the old disued railway line.


Yarmouth Railway Station	Yarmouth railway station in its heyday


View across the River Yar	Close by is a mill



Along the disused railway track	Freshwater Church in view


The Epsom and Ewell Ramblers group on the walk 18th July 2006	The Red Lion at Freshwater is handily positioned halfway round


Making the most of the pub's facilities on the 2nd hottest day of 2006


The lane into Freshwater	The Tennyson family tomb in Freshwater churchyard


Freshwater Church	Through the woods near Victoria Fort in May 2004


Almost back to Yarmouth	View to Hurst Castle (May 2004)

IOW May 2010 - A walk from Whitwell up to Stenbury Down

The parish church od St Mary and St Rhadegund in the village of Whitwell	An inscription on the church wall	The church interior with its WW1 memorial screen


Stained glas window in the church	Awaiting the start of a walk from Whitwell. Note the old water pump against the church wall,	Piped water was brought to the village in the 1880s courtesy of a wealthy local resident.


Plenty of signposting on paths on the island.	The White well, from where Whitwell got its name


The walk took us past Stenbury Manor



The River Yar from Yarmouth bridge	Tea and cakes enjoyed at Gossip's cafe at Yarmouth while waiting for the ferry back to Lymington


Yarmouth main street	Yarmouth Town Hall