Circumnavigating an island is always a rewarding experience and the trail around the 65 miles of the Isle of Wight's impressive shore is particularly satisfying. The variety of the seaside landscape is fantastic, with soaring stark white cliffs, the spectacular chalk stacks of 'The Needles ', the multi-coloured sands of Alum Bay, wooded 'chines ', golden beaches, dramatic landslipped bluffs, sheltered undercliffs, tidal streams, estuaries, mudflats and salt marshes make for an astonishing experience that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Along the trail you'll find tired thatched towns, lively beach resorts and bustling harbours. Other features of interest include a fossil forest; Appley Tower, built to commemorate the sailing of the first Fleet to Botany Bay in 1787.
Then there is Yarmouth Castle, built by Henry VIII to defend the port from attacks by the French; see the Palmerston-era forts like the spectacularly sited Needles Old Battery, built in 1862 replying to the specter of a French invasion; St Catherine's Oratory and the 'Pepper Pot ' lighthouse, built as an act of contrition by a wrecker who unwisely lifted a number of religious wine from a local shipwreck in 1313. The remains of Quarr Abbey, discover the island's earliest Christian relics.
Wonder at Osborne House which was built in the 1840's by Prince Albert and Thomas Cubitt as a summer retreat for the Royal Family. Following Albert's death, the desolate Queen Victoria spent much of her time here until her death in 1901. Since that point, the house has remained nearly unchanged, supplying a unique insight into Victoria's family life.
The going is comparatively easy walking the Isle of Wight Coastal Path with usually only mild ascents and descents to be made en route, though some are steeper. The northern sections spend more time away from the coast itself than the others, but this is necessitated by the lay of the land and it occurs pretty infrequently considering the rest of the route.
There are good perspectives out to sea and many interesting places to visit, reflecting the island's heritage and royal patronization over the years.
Along the trail you'll find tired thatched towns, lively beach resorts and bustling harbours. Other features of interest include a fossil forest; Appley Tower, built to commemorate the sailing of the first Fleet to Botany Bay in 1787.
Then there is Yarmouth Castle, built by Henry VIII to defend the port from attacks by the French; see the Palmerston-era forts like the spectacularly sited Needles Old Battery, built in 1862 replying to the specter of a French invasion; St Catherine's Oratory and the 'Pepper Pot ' lighthouse, built as an act of contrition by a wrecker who unwisely lifted a number of religious wine from a local shipwreck in 1313. The remains of Quarr Abbey, discover the island's earliest Christian relics.
Wonder at Osborne House which was built in the 1840's by Prince Albert and Thomas Cubitt as a summer retreat for the Royal Family. Following Albert's death, the desolate Queen Victoria spent much of her time here until her death in 1901. Since that point, the house has remained nearly unchanged, supplying a unique insight into Victoria's family life.
The going is comparatively easy walking the Isle of Wight Coastal Path with usually only mild ascents and descents to be made en route, though some are steeper. The northern sections spend more time away from the coast itself than the others, but this is necessitated by the lay of the land and it occurs pretty infrequently considering the rest of the route.
There are good perspectives out to sea and many interesting places to visit, reflecting the island's heritage and royal patronization over the years.
About the Author:
Contours Walking Holidays are the specialists in self-guided walking holidays in Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. Inside our website you will find a peerless range of walking holidays and short breaks along more than 60 trails in Britain starting from famous routes like Hadrian's Wall Path, West Highland Way, Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk, Cotswold Way, Offa's Dyke Trail, Cumbria Way, Pembrokeshire Coast Trail or the Dales Way to little-known gems like Northumberland's Coast of Castles, Isle of Anglesey Coast Path, Wild Edric's Way, Cotswolds Towns Trail or the 3 Castles Walk.Come and begin your journey!
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