Malcolm Smith's
Walks Pages

 

...  ISLE OF WIGHT   ...

 
ROUND THE ISLAND - Anti-clockwise on the Coastal Path

 
Section 7 : Ryde to Cowes

 
          Section 7 is sub-divided as follows :

          Ryde Pier to Binstead Church
          Binstead Church to Fishbourne
          Fishbourne to Wootton Bridge
          Wootton Bridge to Wootton
          Wootton to Whippingham
          Whippingham to Cowes Floating Bridge

• Ryde Pier to Binstead church - From Ryde Pier, head east along Esplanade, passing the end of Union Street, then bear away from the sea along St Thomas's Street.  The road ascends then as it bears left, take the first turning to the right into Buckingham Road.  Pass Buckingham Close and continuing to a tee junction with Spencer Road.  Turn right and follow the ascending road, eventually passing between two consecutive sets of pillars with sign "Private Road" "Public Footpath Only".  The road becomes a gravel track ending at white metals gates adjacent to the main road.  Cross the driveway entrance to Ryde House to a kissing gate opposite, and follow the tarmac lane which runs through the golf course grounds.  The lane is bounded by fence and hedge each side, starting off level then descending increasingly to a bridge over a stream to ascend sharply initially up to a barrier.  Beyond the barrier the ground levels as you reach The Church of the Holy Cross, Binstead on the right.
• Binstead church to Fishbourne - The road turns sharply left and joins Church Road at which point turn right for 50 yards then turn right again into a gravel lane.  Remain on this track until it ends at gates, then turn left between concrete posts onto a level path through woodland, to exit between more concrete posts onto a road.  Turn right into Quarr Lane, immediately passing a set of tall stone pillars on the right.  The lane starts to descend as passing Abbotts Close and turns to gravel along which is a vehicular gate with a pedestrian gate next to it.  Past the gate, the track levels off to pass the ruins of the old Quarr Abbey.  Remain on the gravel track as it ascends gently, crossing the entrance to the new Quarr Abbey past which the lane crests with the new Abbey on the right.  On the descent, pass through a pedestrian gate next to a vehicular gate before meeting the main road Binstead opposite The Fishbourne Inn.
• Fishbourne to Wootton Bridge - Turn left, passing the Fishbourne ferry terminal, pass Ranalagh Drive and as the road sweeps to the left, turn off right by a phone box and go through a metal barrier to a gravel path running between houses.  At the end is another metal barrier.  Turn left into Ashlake Copse Road which is a private road and undulates between large houses and gardens.  Where the road turns sharply left, continue directly ahead dropping down through woodland on a private drive.  As this bears left, continue ahead onto a dirt path.  The path drops down to cross a stream, it runs next to a pipe on stilts above ground level.  Driveways come in from each side then the route becomes a tarmac access road to houses, joining the main road.  Turn right into Kite Hill where the road progresses downhill to cross Wootton Bridge.
• Wootton Bridge to Wootton - Once over the bridge, bear right into Mill Square, passing in front of the Sloop Inn then leave the square up a gravel track.  When the track turns right after 50 yards, continue ahead up a tarmac alley between houses to New Road.  Turn right and follow the road as it gently descends, then immediately past the entrance to Wootton Youth Club, turn left into a gravel lane.  The lane finishes at a house called "Oakcroft" to the right of which is a tarmac footpath ascending between houses and with a ditch along the right hand edge.  The path exits by several banks of garages, then follow the access out onto the road.  Turn left, passing Whitehead Crescent, then turn immediately left into a tarmac alley between two garages (number 98 on the right), coming out by more banks of garages.  Continue ahead, up a short flight of steps to a gravel alley between houses, to reach a staggered barrier at Church Road.  Cross over into Footways which runs steadily uphill, until reaching a tee junction with Palmers Road.
• Wootton to Whippingham - Turn left into Palmers Road, then almost immediately right into Brocks Copse Road which descends very gently passing Palmers Farm and Westwood House.  The descent increases between field and woodland before reaching a brick bridge over Palmers Brook then ascending steeply initially, passing the entrance to Forestry Commission Woodhouse Copse.  Join Alverstone Road coming in from the left, then pass the entrance to Mount Road which is a private road.  The road finally levels off as it reaches the houses then very gently descends past Whippingham Post Office to the main road.
• Whippingham to Cowes floating bridge - Turn right into Whippingham Road, passing Beatrice Avenue which leads to the Royal Church of St Mildred, climbing very gently initially then levelling off.  Pass the entrance to Barton Manor.  Whippingham Road becomes York Avenue.  Remain on York Avenue past the entrance to Osborne House then the recreation ground, until the road levels off and enters the town.  Pass the Town Hall, then past Clarence Road, bear left into Ferry Road, pass the access road to the Red Funnel vehicle ferry and continue to the Floating Bridge.