We are the Isle of Wight Ramblers. We arrange walks, monitor paths and help our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Serena H.
After the success of our New Year 2024 Grand Day Out, another plan from Martin our friendly Mid-Sussex rambler who has kindly offered to lead a further winter walk to kick off 2025, this time around Portsea Island. This is easy travel from the island (weather and Wightlink permitting), and it should be an interesting ramble, as well as a great start to the walking New Year. Blow the cobwebs away and walk off some of those Christmas calories.
***UPDATED***:
Martin has kindly now recce’d this New Year winter walk for us
It is a circular route from Portsmouth Harbour station, going in a clockwise direction (as the first mile or so is the least interesting section, and also as the last 4 miles are lit if we do it that way round)
The walk has much of interest and a real variety of scenery and areas of historical significance. There is no road walking, and only half an hour in built up areas, as it mainly follows the King Charles III Coastal Path where there has been a lot of investment upgrading the path and the sea wall with work continuing in some sections. Lovely promenades, seating areas including adult swings and pollinator plantings
The first stop will be after approx 2 hours at the Hilslea Lido Cafe (Martin was keen there be optional wakeboarding for those who wish, but I think/hope has agreed January not the ideal time of year for that….) around the Hilsea lines.
Then a second stop in the afternoon at the Thatched House pub at Milton.
The full route is approx 14 miles, so be aware that it is a full day’s walk and that this suits you. However it is basically a totally flat walk on good surfaces. For those who are after a shorter walk, there would be an option to take a short detour at approx 6.5 miles to Hilslea Station and catch a train back to Portsmouth Harbour, but the full walk will continue in its circle round the eastern side of Portsea Island and back through Southsea, to our return Fastcat. (Difficult to predict precisely which cat we would catch as it depends on how the day goes, but these run hourly and either the 5.15pm or the 6.15pm seems probably the most likely. A long day out but should be a good one !)
Bring drinks, a packed lunch, and any other sustenance or supplies you require.
The leader for this walk is Martin B from Mid Sussex Ramblers (07973-340261), in conjunction with Serena H who is posting it ( 07564-811690). Although formal booking is not essential for this walk, it would be really helpful to Martin if members proposing to attend could where possible message either to Serena or on the whatsapp group nearer the time, so that we have at least a rough idea of numbers on the day.
Travel
This will obviously be a full day’s walk, and so, taking into account the limited daylight at that time of year, we will get a fairly early start. We will meet at Ryde Pier Head at 08.30-ish and catch the 08.45 Wightlink Fastcat. This arrives at Portsmouth Harbour at 09.07, where we will meet Martin, walk to start at 9.15am. Any mainland members interested in joining this Isle of Wight Ramblers walk, should join us at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour station for the 9.15am start.
It is obviously up to you how you get to Ryde Pier Head. There is a car park at the pier head, and a bigger car park by the ice rink; alternatively you could use free on street parking in Ryde or get the bus to Ryde Esplanade, or the train through to the Pier Head. You must allow sufficient time for your journey and for walking up the Pier if applicable.
Please make your own enquiries into the most suitable Fastcat ticket for you, but standard Day Return fares appear to currently be £18.30 for the over 60’s and £24.20 for others. However do investigate special offers, use Tesco vouchers, use railcard if including any element of train travel and so on. Do investigate the best deal for you
Car share
In the interests of the air, parking, and non-drivers, if anyone is able to offer, or needs, a car share to or from Ryde then please post on WhatsApp group. To join the group please message Serena on 07564 811690.
You should bring drink, lunch and snacks.
Depending on the weather, consider suitable clothing, footwear, walking pole(s), sun cream, hat, 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.
Please note there may be sections of road walking – please walk in single file and take good care.
Wise to look at the website on the day in case of any changes or additional info. And in the event of bad weather please check back for cancellation and postponement notices. This is especially important on this occasion as it may impact cross-Solent travel. You can also check with Serena on 07564 811690.
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.
Whatsapp group
If you would like to join the informal WhatsApp group (even temporarily for the purposes of this specific walk), please message Serena on 07564 811690 to be added .
Emergencies
It's very rare that an emergency occurs, but we may need info about
We'd ask you to make sure that we have ready access to this, if needed.
Meet at Ryde Pier Head 08.30 or soon after, for the 08.45 fast cat to Portsmouth . (If you miss the cat, you miss the walk !)
Walk starts from entrance to Portsmouth Harbour railway station at 09.15
