The Great Outdoors Spring 2019

Cribyn & N escarpment

from Pen y Fan

104 The Great Outdoors Spring 2019

who belongs to the group:
“Because we like it!” was the
simple reply.
I like it, too, but preferably
by myself. Having not been
over for a few years, I decided
it was time for another visit: a
spring one, before the walking
festival got under way. Part
of the pleasure of visiting
the island is the Solent ferry
crossing, and the journey
out from Portsmouth to
Fishbourne aboard Wightlink’s
St Cecilia was on a beautifully
warm and sunny day. he
captain welcomed us over the
loudspeaker: “I hope you’re
all having a lovely time out
there in the sun. Of course,
I’m delighted to be working
inside today... anyway, have
a good crossing.” I made it to
my accommodation at Chilton
Farm, peacefully situated in
a charming hamlet a stone’s

throw from the coast, in time

for a ine sunset stroll along the

coastal path.

It was not so warm the next

day, but still very pleasant, as

I headed inland to the pretty

village of Brighstone and thence

up onto the chalk downland.

Ater a short detour to the

viewpoint on Limerstone Down

(some of the best views on the

island from here), I joined the

Tennyson Trail, which runs

along the top of the chalk ridge

that forms the island’s spine.

he Poet Laureate, Alfred Lord

Tennyson, lived in Freshwater

Bay for many years, hence the

name of the trail (as well as

the nearby Down, atop which

stands his monument).

Excellent walking followed,

up and down Mottistone,

Brook and Compton Downs,

all in the care of the National

Trust, which looks ater many

of the island’s most iconic

stretches of coastline, as well

as its countryside. From East

Aton Down, before reaching

Freshwater Bay, you can see

both north and south coasts,

with Yarmouth and the Solent

visible to the north.

Down at the bay, I got my

water bottle reilled at a bar,

and chatted to the barmaid,

hearing how she and her

partner had moved here from

Hertfordshire a while ago and

both far preferred it. I could

well understand why, especially

as I walked back along the

lovely stretch of coastline past

Compton and Brook Bays,

turning inland at Chilton

Chine for the inal few hundred

yards to the Farm. On the way

I passed the Isle of Wight Pearl

centre and café. It all added up

to another most enjoyable

Isle of Wight walk.

Further information

Maps: OS 1:25,000

Explorer sheet OL29

(Isle of Wight)

Transport: Wightlink

car ferries between

Portsmouth & Fishbourne

and Lymington & Yarmouth;

passenger catamaran from

Portsmouth to Ryde, 0333

999 7333, wightlink.co.uk

Bus service 12 via Brighstone,

islandbuses.info

i

Information: Newport

VIC (01983 521555),

visitisleofwight.co.uk; Chilton

Farm: chiltonfarm.co.uk

[Captions clockwise from top]

Along the Tennyson Trail,

Mottistone Down ahead; Well-

waymarked Tennyson Trail;

Freshwater Bay; Heading down

to B3399, Brook Down ahead