A seven mile figure of eight walk.
From the start we make our way up onto West High Down & along to The famous Needles. There is a stunning viewpoint near the former rocket launching test site. Down below is Scratchells Bay, only accessible by boat.
In the distance we can see the chalk cliffs between Studland & Swanage on the Isle of Purbeck & Old Harry Rocks. The chalk ridge once connected the island to the mainland until the sea level rose about 7000 BC & the River Solent as it was then broke through the chalk ridge & the Island first became an island.
The coloured sands of Alum Bay. Nearby the first permanent wireless station was established by Marconi in 1897. He first exchanged messages with a tug in Alum Bay then with Bournemouth & Poole 40 miles away.
The impressive Tennyson's Monument. The Down here was renamed Tennyson Down in his memory. Queen Victoria was an admirer of his works. In 1884 she created him Baron of Aldworth in Sussex & Freshwater on the Isle of Wight.
From the monument we head down towards Freshwater Bay with more impressive views along the Back of the Wight. Several fishermen were bobbing about on the water in their boats & light aircraft flying overhead all enjoying the sunny autumnal weather.
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