Summer Programme 2012

I am pleased to announce my Summer Programme of Walks is now complete.

These walks may not take place every week so it is essential you phone or email me in advance to check & make a booking on 01983 761574 or 07771 616540 or email michele.wightdelight@yahoo.co.uk

All walks cost:
Adults £5
Seniors 65 years plus £3
Children under 12 years £2

MONDAYS - from 9th April - On Top of the Island
6 miles
Meet outside reception at Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park, Wroxall, PO38 3EP at 09.30
www.appuldurcombegardens.co.uk
Approx 3 hours

TUESDAYS - from 3rd April - Smugglers & Shipwrecks
5.5 miles
Meet in the garden at The Sun Inn, Hulverstone, PO30 4EH at 10.00
www.sun-hulverstone.com
Approx 3 hours

WEDNESDAYS - from 4th April - Back of the Wight
6.5 miles
Meet outside reception at The Orchards Holiday Park, Newbridge, PO41 0TS at 09.30
www.orchards-holiday-park.co.uk
Approx 3.5 hours

THURSDAYS - from 5th April - Forts & Waves
8.5 miles
Meet outside reception at West Bay, Yarmouth, PO41 0RJ at 09.30
www.westbayclub.co.uk
Approx 5 hours.  Bring a picnic.

FRIDAYS - from 6th April - Up High on the Downs
7.5 miles
Meet outside reception at Stoats Farm Caravan & Camping, Totland, PO39 0HE at 09.30
www.stoats-farm.co.uk
Approx 4.5 hours. Bring a picnic.

I look forward to meeting you on a Guided Wight Walk with Michele

Don't forget I am also available as a Private Walking Guide.

Cost per group:

2-3 hours/4-6 miles £25

4-5 hours/8-10 miles £50

On Top of the Island

This new exciting walk starts on Mondays fortnightly from 9th April.

We meet at Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park in Wroxall
www.appuldurcombegardens.co.uk at 09.30.
If you are not staying at the Holiday Park please park in the free village carpark 10 mins walk down the road or at the Appuldurcombe House car park 5 mins walk away.

6 miles
Moderate
Up & Down & level walking
Approx 3 hours

We begin by walking to Appuldurcombe House. This once beautiful 18th century building was sadly bombed during WWII.  It was restored but only the shell remains. Now owned by English Heritage. Appuldurcombe means Valley of the Apple Trees.

We then head up onto Wroxall Down & past Ventnor Radar Station,  former RAF Ventnor built in 1938 to monitor D-Day Landings. It was repeatedly bombed during WWII & used until the early 1960's. Several bunkers still exist & are occasionally frequented by the local wildlife!

We reach the highest point on the Island at 241m.  On a clear day the 360 degree views are really impressive.  In the distance we can see Sandown Bay & Culver Down.

Out at sea off the south coast of the Island we often see passing cruise ships, cross channel ferries & cargo boats heading in & out of Portsmouth & Southampton.

We walk on Top of the Island as we head onto Luccombe Down & St Martin's Down. During the summer the heather, gorse & ferns are ablaze with colour. These Downs are an important breeding ground for several birds including the rare Dartford Warbler. New Forest ponies have been introduced as their grazing creates habitat for a variety of wildlife.

As we begin to descend we pass by the site of Cook's Castle. Originally built in the 18th century & designed by Capability Brown to create a romantic building to be viewed from Appuldurcombe House. It was never actually a defensive building but used more as a romantic tearoom during Victorian times!

The last part of our walk takes us along the old railway line which once connected Sandown to Ventnor via a tunnel through the Downs which was completed in 1866. Ventnor station was the end of the line.

Adults - £5.00
Seniors 65 plus - £3.00
Children under 12 - £2.00

To book:
Email michele.wightdelight@yahoo.co.uk
Phone 01983 761574
Mobile 07771 616540

Forts & Waves

This new Forts & Waves walk will begin on 5th April & will be available most Thursdays until 25th October.

8.5 miles
Moderate
Ups & Downs!

We meet outside the reception at West Bay Club, Hallets Chute, Yarmouth www.westbayclub.co.uk
at 09.30. Approx 5 hours. Bring a picnic.

First we head towards the Solent where our first fort sighting is Albert Fort & opposite on the mainland Hurst Castle built by Henry VIII.  Both were constructed to keep the French out.

We follow the coastal path passing Colwell Bay & Totland Bay with an impressive view of the famous Needles in the distance.

Next we head up onto Headon Warren.Once the breeding ground for rabbits in the 15th century. They were bred for their fur & meat. From the top we have good views looking down onto the Solent. We also pass a couple of Bronze Age burial mounds dating back 3500 years.

We continue up onto Tennyson Down & to Tennyson's Monument. Named after the Poet Laureate who lived in Freshwater Bay & often enjoyed strolling up onto the Downs where he would find inspiration to write poetry.

As we descend to Freshwater Bay we hope to have a good view along the Back of the Wight as far as Blackgang. This stretch of coastline was notorious for shipwrecks & smuggling & reached its peak in the 18th century. Fort Redoubt guards the entrance to the bay.

Our final stretch takes us past Golden Hill Fort & the country park which was offically opend by Lord Mountbatten in 1970 when he was the Governor of the Island. This Grade One listed building has now been converted into luxury apartments.

Depending upon the high tides in Colwell Bay we may do the walk in reverse.

Adults - £5.00
Seniors 65 plus - £3.00
Children under 12 - £2.00

To book:
Email michele.wightdelight@yahoo.co.uk
Phone 01983 761574
Mobile 07771 616540