Cowes - Shalfleet

A gentle introduction to the Isle of Wight Coastal Path. The trail leads you along cliff tops before descending onto the beach at Thorness bay where we're likely to see wading birds, including oyster catchers, ringed plovers and redshanks. After the Thorness you veer away from the coast and inland making a small detour into National Nature Reserve of Newtown Creek and then onto Shalfleet (If you have time and the tide is right why not experience the Shalfleet Manor Water Safari lasting an hour, bookable on the start day of your holiday).

Shalfleet – Freshwater Bay

Skirting round the west side of Newtown Creek with further bird watching opportunities on offer before reaching the shores at Hampstead point. Passing between the cliffs and copses at Boldner shortly thereafter turning inland and following the old Railway track past redundant stations and along the delightful banks of the River Yar. Finally crossing the Marshes at Afton into Freshwater Bay.

Freshwater Bay – Brighstone

Climbing up past Freshwater golf course and joining the Tennyson trail across Compton Down. Fantastic views as you look back across Freshwater Bay and out to the majestic white cliffs and Needles beyond. Over Brooke Down and Veering back towards the sea along badger lane and around the magnificent Brook Hill House (former home of author JB Priestly). Soon after passing through the tiny village Hulverstone with its thatched pub. Ascending once again up to Mottistone common and its legendary Long Stone

Brighstone – Whitwell

Wander through the village of Brighstone with its Olde shop and village museum before crossing arable farm land and grass fields then joining the Shepard’s trail into Chale Green. Climbing up St Catherines Down to Hoy Monument (The Hoy Monument is a graceful stone pillar which rises 72 feet into the windswept sky above St Catherine's Down. A plaque on the south face of the square base explains it was erected by Michael Hoy to commemorate the visit to Britain in 1814 of Tsar Alexander 1 of Russia). Descending the other side into the first of the Combes, Wydcombe and remote park lands of Strathwell.

Whitwell – Ventnor

Shortly after leaving Whitwell you will pass by the fishing lakes and farming hamlet of the second Combe, Nettlecombe. Continuing to ascend the Downs via Gat cliff (lots of steps but worth it for the far reaching views of all corners of the Island) you will soon reach the third and possibly the most well known Combe, Appuldurcombe Down and nearby House (Just the shell remains of a lovely, 18th century house built on the estate of Appuldurcombe, previously a site with connections to a Norman priory. Surrounded by a vast expanse of rolling downs, this impressive estate was the family seat of the Worsley family for some 300 years). Finally crossing the impressive and final Combe of Luccombe Down and St Boniface Down before descending into the Victorian seaside town of Ventnor.