Walking the Isle of Wight
Published: 29/05/2023
With May being National Walking Month, the beautiful Isle of Wight is known for its wide variety of walking spots from Tennyson Downs, to fossil hunting at Compton Bay to Newtown’s National Nature Reserve.
An 8 – 12 hour 26.5 mile walk from East to West or a 2 day 70 mile walk around the coastal paths of the island, there are many ways to enjoy the views during the most iconic walking events the island holds.
Walk the Wight – the islands largest fundraising event, there are many different routes available ranging from 8 miles on the Flat Walk which is suited to families with little ones and those in wheelchairs, to the full 26.5 miles from Bembridge to Alum Bay. Last year over 4,000 walkers took part and nearly 200 volunteers supported the event for the worthy cause, every year they raise hundreds of thousands of pounds to help Mountbatten deliver their expert care to anyone who has been diagnosed with a life limiting illness.
The Ultra – For an even bigger challenge, the Ultra challenge is one to test your walking endurance. The full challenge composes of continuous walking round the island, starting and ending at Chale. The 2 day challenge offers the ‘Daylight’ walk with a camping stop at Cowes, this allows you to take in all the spectacular views in daylight whilst you walk. For a lighter adventure, they also offer half and quarter challenges so you can still get yourself involved and fundraise for your chosen charity. Up to 2,000 adventurers take part in The Ultra, as a whole, over £7 million pounds are raised each year for their charity partners.
Where can we walk on the Isle of Wight?
Here are some ideas for walks that the beautiful island has to offer, there is always something for everyone whether it’s a flat short walk, to a challenging longer walk with varying terrain. But with any type of walk you chose to do, there are plenty of options for you to have a lovely afternoon out with your loved ones and family.
Paul and Vicky are the owners of Right at Home Isle of Wight, they set up the business in February 2021. In their spare time they enjoy walking various locations of the island, especially places they can take their two Sprocker Spaniels Mollie and Luna. Besides doing bigger challenges such as the West Highland Way and the Coast to Coast 200 mile walk, the River Medina Walk is a stroll in the park for them!
The River Walk
A short but quirky 2 mile walk, perfect for a summers afternoon. Starting from St Mildreds Church, which was redesigned by Prince Albert, following the signs to the river Medina the walk will take you to the Folly Inn pub which offers undisrupted views of the river. From here follow the River into Newport passing the Ryde Queen, the remains of the former paddle steamer; she first operated as a ferry service to the mainland and back; then in the 1970’s she was a nightclub! She is hard to miss on your walk.
For wheelchair users and those who prefer a flatter walk, you can start here at the Ryde Queen. The walk will then take you into the Quay and you’re in the heart of Newport, the islands central town. If you’re ending the walk in Newport this gives you plentiful options of stopping for something to eat and catching the bus the anywhere you wish on the island to carry on your adventures.
The Dinosaur Safari
The perfect way to experience Dinosaur Island, being the UK’s dinosaur capital you have plenty of opportunity to fossil hunt. The Dinosaur Coast stretches 20 miles from Yaverland on the East Coast to Compton Bay on the West.
For wheelchair users and those who would struggle with Compton’s steps, Yaverland is a flat beach and easy on the feet for exploring.
At Compton Bay, which is voted one of the best beaches in the world (according to the Sunday Times Travel magazine), you’ll find the well known dinosaur footprints. When the sea water and strong winds erode the soft cliffs around Compton Bay, dinosaur remains fall onto the beach; there are over 20 different species that have been found. At low tide, head for the bit of land that juts out- that’s Hanover Point, there you will find plenty of dinosaur footcasts, just make sure you leave them as they are for others to enjoy.
Bembridge and Culver Downs
Another short and fairly easy route to walk that is filled with spectacular wildlife in the RSPB protected wetlands as well as the beautiful views of the coast and countryside. On this walk you’ll start with the islands last standing windmill at Bembridge Windmill and then follow on past perfect spots to sight Red Squirrels, Yarmouth Monument and Bembridge Fort- an unrestored Victorian fort. Once you reach Culver down, the uphill walk is worth the beautiful scenery.
Take it all in, either take a picnic or stop off at The Culver Haven Inn.
Why not come and see us in our office for a cup of tea whilst you head off on your walk! We are on the High Street just above the Fishmongers
Lucy is the Marketing and Community Engagement Coordinator for Right at Home Isle of Wight, she joined in 2021 and started as a live-in caregiver before Vicky and Paul offered a progression opportunity. In her spare time she enjoys all things adventurous as well as taking in the beautiful sights that the Isle of Wight offers. Heading up Tennyson Downs on the Needles walk is one of her favourites as it offers a particularly amazing view across the island and then as you keep going, the Needles and the Lighthouse welcome you to the very Western point. It's a great walk if you're into photography like she is.
The Needles walk
A beautiful 4 mile that will offer the most iconic and most photographed set of 3 chalk rocks on the Western tip of the island. At the end of the Needles Rocks is the Lighthouse. In 1859 the Lighthouse was first lit to guide the passing ships and vessels, in 1994 the lighthouse keeper and his 3 assistants left as it became automated.
Today you can still hear the foghorn every 15 seconds during periods of poor visibility. Amongst this the walk also offers the New Battery and Rocket Testing site from the 1950’s as well as Tennyson’s Monument.
Take a camera for this as the views at the top of cliff are spectacular.
Walking keeps your heart strong and reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. As well as the physical benefits of walking, it also is proven to improve your mental health whilst helping to alleviate anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.
Our caregivers at Right at Home know the importance on keeping active and so encourage our clients to go out even for a short walk to keep them moving and mobile, this can be in their garden, a visit to the beach or into the village for a cup of tea.
Companionship calls are a great way to not only get out walking but to build relationships but also to combat loneliness, the 1 hour minimum calls give you both the freedom to spend quality time together.
If this is something you would be interested in, have you ever considered a career in care?
Right at Home Isle of Wight are recruiting care assistants!
Why not join our award winning, outstanding team.
Contact us on:
01983 218318
paul.butler@rightathome.co.uk
