We are the Isle of Wight Ramblers. We arrange walks, monitor paths and help our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
OVERVIEW
A Sunday stroll with a lunch stop. This is the next stage of the round the island coastal path, which will be completed in sections this year. This is a linear walk. Meeting (to tally with bus transport) at Brighstone Village car park (Warnes Lane) at 10.00am, or park on the verge on the Military Road at Grange Farm, Brighstone for 10.15am as the coastal walk strictly starts there so we can meet walkers from either startpoint. Directions below are given from the Village carpark but either startpoint works.
We will be walking the Coastal Path from Brighstone to Freshwater Bay, via Brook and Compton. A couple of uphills, however this section is mostly pretty flat. Stunning views throughout. Butterflies and skylarks if the weather’s right. However the path is very near the cliff edge on many sections, so extreme care is needed (any dogs should most definitely be on leads, indeed owners may wish to consider how suitable this walk is for dogs). It may also be muddy in parts in the event of wet weather.
There are free toilets at Brighstone Village (Warnes Lane) car park; Compton Bay; and Freshwater Bay. Also with any luck an ice-cream van at Compton Bay
Wise to look at the website on the day just in case of any changes or additional info. And in the event of extreme weather please check back for cancellation (postponement) notices. You can also check with Serena on 07564-811690 (and if you would like to join the embryonic informal WhatsApp group then please message that number).
TRAVEL
This section of the walk is actually simpler than some ! Some options:
By car:
Park at either Brighstone Village free car park (Warnes Lane)(toilets) for 10.00am start, or on the verge outside Grange Farm campsite on the Military Road for 10.15am start, as the walk will be coming via there (there is a fair amount of free roadside parking).
If you are carshare/shuffling, there is a (pay) carpark at the endpoint at Freshwater Bay, or free onstreet parking nearby at Afton Road. Or just get the No 12 bus back from Freshwater Bay (14.42) to Brighstone (15.59)
By bus (from Newport)
Simple for once ! – and the walk times have been brought forward slightly earlier to fit in with bus times from Newport. It is the 9.30am No 12 bus from Newport bust station, arrives at Brightsone Three Bishops 9.52am . The road down to the carpark startpoint (and toilets) is just across the road from the bus-stop and is signposted.
There is a No 12 bus back from Freshwater Bay at 14.42, which gets back to Newport at 15.25 This timing should enable a relaxed walk and probably give some time to spare in Freshwater Bay for drink / ice-cream/ swim / whatever
Depending on the weather, consider suitable, clothing, footwear, walking stick, sun cream, drinks, and food. Watch out for ticks and remove ASAP. If you are unsure about your ability to undertake this walk, please contact the walks leader. If you need to leave the walking group, please ensure you inform the leader or back marker.
New walkers welcome :
If you are new to the Ramblers you can just turn up for any of our walks, unless we specify otherwise. We invite you to come along for three walks as a non-member.
General note :
If you would like to join the informal WhatsApp group which has just been started, please message Serena on 07564-811690 to be added . (And if you have already been added and prefer not, just Exit the group – no offence taken !) It is a bit of an experiment to see if it proves helpful for rambler communications
See narrative above. Brighstone Village carpark at 10.00 or outside Grange Farm 10.15am to suit you
See narrative above. Brighstone Village carpark at 10.00 or outside Grange Farm 10.15am to suit you
