You stay in specially selected hotels, country inns, friendly guesthouses and b&bs along the trail that have been carefully chosen for the warmth of their welcome, the quality of their accommodation and their accessibility to the trail. We always book en-suite rooms with private bathrooms where they are available, but some, in the remoter areas where accommodation is limited, may not have private facilities.
Extra nights
When booking your holiday you can customise your trip by building in extra nights for rest days or sightseeing. Please contact us if you would like assistance in deciding where to spend an extra night.
Single rooms
These can be booked on most routes - the supplement is £20 per night.
Meals
The holidays are run on a bed and breakfast basis. A full English breakfast is included in the price, but we leave you to pay for your packed-lunches and evening meals. Your Tour Pack contains information on places to stop for lunch or buy picnic materials also the best places to eat in the evening. Some of the guest houses we book can also provide evening meals, and we recommend you try this home cooking where available.
Luggage transfer
We transport your luggage between overnight stops (maximum of 15kg per bag). Every time you arrive at a new destination, your luggage will be waiting for you, so all you need to carry on your walk is a light daypack containing whatever you require for the day such as waterproofs, camera and picnic lunch.
The Trail Pack
All the information you need for an enjoyable, worry-free walking holiday is contained in the Trail Pack that we provide. This will be sent to two week before the start of your holiday
Call 01983 281662 now to book this holiday.
WWRST4
Red Squirrel Trail
Cowes – Yarmouth
The first day follows part of the coastal path. The trail leads you along cliff tops before descending onto the beach at Thorness bay where your likely to see wading birds, including oyster catchers, ringed plovers and redshanks. After the Thorness Holiday Village you veer away from the coast and inland through the Newton National Nature Reserve with further bird watching opportunities on offer. Shortly thereafter, the trail makes its way back towards the coast passing through Hampstead and along the edge of Bouldner copse, eventually arriving in the attractive, bustling town of Yarmouth.
Yarmouth - Hulverstone
Passing through the nature reserve of Headon Warren and up to the Needles headland with its spectacular views. The trail continues along the chalk ridge of Tennysons Down past the Tennyson Monument following chalk cliff tops across Brooke and Mottistone Downs before arriving in Hulverstone with its 500 year old thatched pub.
Hulverstone – Cowes
Climbing up to Mottistone down and the Long Stone with its Myths & legends. Shortly thereafter entering Brighstone Forest. Following old loggers’ paths through the woods before joining the Tennyson trail. Turning down hill through Monkham woods and onto Parkhurst forest one of the strong holds of the Red Squirrel. Parkhurst Forest was mentioned in the Domesday records as a royal hunting forest at which time, it extended as far as Cowes (hence the village name of Northwood) where your journey ends. (how many did you see?)
WIGHT SQUIRREL PROJECT
Red squirrels are the only squirrel native to the British Isles. They are disappearing from the mainland fast and are being replaced by the introduced American grey squirrel.
The Isle of Wight is an important stronghold as the Solent provides a barrier to grey squirrels. The Isle of Wight’s woodland can provide habitat for around 3,500 squirrels. Numbers fluctuate annually according to the success or failure of the autumn seed crop. They also fluctuate seasonally when young are born.
Red squirrels on the Island live mainly in broadleaved woodland - which is unique nowadays as greys dominate this habitat on the mainland. The Island is also free of deer, who nibble young shoots and retard regrowth of understorey trees.
Wight Squirrel Project is an independent, local charity that relies on donations, fundraising events, sponsorship and grants to keep it going. If you give a donation of £5 or more, you will become ‘A Friend of the Red Squirrel’ for a year and receive a certificate.
For more information please click on the following link to their web site. www.wightsquirrels.co.uk
