Isle of Wight weekend 14th June 2024 to 17th Jun 2024

 

Southwestern have now released their travel tickets for 14th June to 17th June.

 Friday 14th June 24: A walk on the downs starting at Shanklin, incorporating Shanklin Down, Luccombe Down, Bonchurch Down and Boniface Down.  Ending in Ventnor with frequent buses back to Shanklin if people opt to stay there.

 Travel: Take the 10.30 Portsmouth Harbour train  from London Waterloo

Arrives Portsmouth & Southsea 11:57

Bus departs Portsmouth & Southsea at 12:10

Arrives Southsea Hoverport at 12:20

depart Southsea Hoverport at 12:30

Arrives Ryde Hoverport arrives at 12:40

Walk to Ryde Esplanade station 17 minutes

Train departs Ryde Esplanade at 13:13

Arrives Shanklin station at 13:37

 Ticket type: buy a return ticket to Shanklin.

 Meet at Shanklin railway station and start the walk towards Ventnor.  It will be the Lake to Shanklin walk in reverse.  See here for GPX track and full details of the walk here.  You will need a picnic for this walk.

 Or Option 2: If you wish to have lunch in Shanklin, please use the same GPX route to go down to the seafront or to the town centre to have lunch, or a swim and then getting back onto the main walk route to Ventnor by following the track along the Worsley trail here

 Saturday 15th June 2024: A beautiful walk from Chale to Ventnor with spectacular cliff top views over the sea taking in the annual Round the Island Yacht race.  This walk was devised by Sylvia Cummins, a regular SWC walker who died in October 2022. 

 Meet at Boots, Ventnor for the 10.05 No 6 bus.  This is a 2 hourly bus so please don’t miss.  Arrives Chale Church at 10.41.

Lunch:  Buddle Inn, Niton, Bookings are highly recommended – book online or call 01983 730243.

Swimming possible on the beautiful beach at Rocken End, which is reached by a steep walk down.  This is a good spot for a picnic as is basically anywhere along this route.

For walk details and GPX see here

 Sunday 16th June 24: Ventnor to Godshill stopping for a picnic lunch in the grounds of the remains of Appuldercombe House. 

 Meet outside Boots , Ventnor at 10.30am where we start the walk.

Length Length: 12.6 km (7.9 miles).Toughness: 6 out of 10. Some steep bits but nice views.

Map Walk: There are no written directions for this walk, only a GPS route.

For GPS: t=swc.410  Please note however, that once you have explored Appuldercombe house and gardens, make your way back to the main gate, and either retrace your route or take the path on the right for a small but attractive diversion.

 Features

The walk will take us along St Boniface Down and then a climb up the very steep path to Bonchurch Down, across Wroxall Down and past the Radio Station viewpoint. The walk then takes you across Stenbury Down and into the grounds of Appuldurcombe House. After looking around the hollowed-out rooms and possibly picnicking in the grounds we will walk into Godshill village for tea and cakes. After that you can return by bus to Ventnor or Shanklin or walk back.

 Return Buses from Godshill Hollies:

No.2 to Shanklin (15 minutes) or Ryde (1 hour). These leave at around xx:11 & xx:41;

No.3 to Ventnor (20 minutes), Shanklin (40 minutes) or Ryde (1 hour 20 minutes). These leave at around xx:23 & xx:53 last bus 15.23

 Monday 17th June 24  Option 1 Walk from Shanklin chine, along the seafront to Brading Station, where you can catch the Island Line train to Ryde Pier.   The walk is around 10 miles.  The full walk skirts around under Bembridge Down with its Fort (you can divert up to this if you have time) and then through Brading Marshes nature Reserve and so into the historic town of Brading.  This is a map led walk, but you keep the sea to your right until you turn off towards Brading.  Find the map here

 Plenty of eating and drinking spots along the seafront, and swimming opportunities weather permitting.  The walk can be shortened by cutting away from the beach to either Lake station, or Sandown station.  GPX route can be found here: Please note, the walk poster has not walked this route yet.

 Meet at the Fisherman’s Cottage pub, right on Shanklin beach by the mouth of Shanklin Chine at 10.30

 Option 2:  If you prefer a relaxing morning and afternoon, then a visit to the Isle of Wight Botanical Gardens just outside Ventnor would be a restful and rewarding experience.  This is a truly delightful garden with rare and exotic plants and trees, and its micro climate averages around 5 degrees warmer than the rest of UK.  More information can be found here: https://www.botanic.co.uk/about/

 There is a café and a restaurant in the gardens.

 How to get there: Head west and up Church Street – along Belgrave Road – down Park Avenue – then Steephill Road – onto Undercliff Drive – turn left into the main entrance. Approx. 10-15min walk.  Due to landslips, I am not sure whether you can walk along the coastal path heading west from Ventnor to the gardens. 

 Tropical Garden Tickets:  £11

 Accomodation on the Isle of Wight:  Ventnor is the best town to stay in for the planned walks.  If you cannot get accommodation in Ventnor then Shanklin would be a good alternative.  The No. 3 bus connects Shanklin and Ventnor which are close together.