Isle Of Wight – Rookley – Newport Walk – 18.04.2010

This time our walk was to take us to the main hustle and bustle of the Newport – the capital of Isle of Wight. The first part of the walk was take us along roads – which I always find difficult to walk when it is hot. Obviously we were not the only ones to feel the heat, as we found a rabbit sheltering amongst the trees! It looked too tame and lonely to be a wild rabbit if you ask me!

Although we noted a few paths off our route, we finally came across a public path that ran parallel with our route! It was on a beatifully kept field (obviously the path was well marked out on this occasion to keep the walkers away from the lovely grass!). But walking this path, we managed to see some lovely views. This includes a Manor house? Even looking at an O/S map I can only see perhaps Gatcombe House or Whitecroft or Champion Farm – Help!!!!

From 2010 – 18.04.2010 – Rookley – Newport Walk

As I have said in my other blogs, farmland is very extensive here, however, the land is not chalk as on the South of the Island – maybe that explained why we could see the extensive quarrying…

The path just seemed to just run out so we had to return to the road, and make our way to Blackwater. At this point, we found another route to Newport – A cycle path. These have put us in good stead before! The National Cycle Network Route 23. Again this was an old train line – the level crossing gates were a give away

From 2010 – 18.04.2010 – Rookley – Newport Walk

The route was lovely and cool, with a small stream either side of the track. We were warned that the house sparrow would be in abundance – but I didn’t see any – just lots of chaffinches instead. As it was so quiet in some places, I could not believe we were near the main town at all. Sadly we only walked a short part of this cycle trail but it was worth it.

As we ended the path, we came into Newport… suddenly we were hit with choices, Carisbrooke Castle Powerful Woman on the Isle of Wight, walking the Mill Trail, the Troll Trail – but alas not today – we were off to the Steam Railway so those are all for another day!

Click here for an idea of the Route. All My photos are -

2010 – 18.04.2010 – Rookley – Newport Walk

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Isle of Wight – Niton – Ventor Walk – 17.04.2010

Looking for Public Footpaths on the Isle of Wight never seemed to be a problem, there seemed to be lots of signs…  the Coastal path was no exception, but in this instance, as we started to walk this path we discovered that the undercliff path was actually closed! So we had to take a different route…. and we were glad we did.

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Niton – Ventor Walk

The path took across top of the cliffs instead of below them along “undercliff drive” as originally planned.    At first I thought the ground land had already suffered from lack of rain, it was then I realised the soil was chalk and was white!  I still cannot quite comprehend how farmers can grow good crops on this kind of land.  But I am assured that a good crop of Garlic is grown elsewhere on the Island! mmmm (along with a Vineyard!!)

The path took a steep climb to a lovely view point, where you could see right across the English Channel.  In the distance, despite the gorgeous sunlight, we could still see the Lighthouse!!  St Catherines Lighthouse, which is the most powerful lighthouse in Britian.  The Lighthouse origins are from the 1300′s!! dangerous waters indeed…

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Niton – Ventor Walk

We discovered not only were we walking the Wights coastal path but the Pilgrim Paths of the South Wight – but we did not have time to walk the paths sadly… (Also I cannot find much information about the Pilgrim Paths!!) The landscaped cliffs we had been walking were actually known as the undercliff and is the largest single area of landslipped topography in Western Europe!!

Walking further on, as usual signs ran out, but with as it was a coastal path, there was little chance of losing our direction this time! nevertheless it was still frustrating.  After negotiating a road, and an educated guess that the path opposite was correct (the sign was missing but a post was there) we found our route again…  Along the cliffs for a while but not for long as the path took as longside the roadside.  Again this path suffered a similar fate as it was closed

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Niton – Ventor Walk

Walking past a lonely Llama (different from keeping Rabbit I suppose!!)  We then walked into Ventor itself – by Zig Zag Road (I just love that name!) a lovely little seaside town – landscape gardens, waterfalls, to see an artist impression of the Isle of Wight, a lovely fish Restuarant.  Ventor Haven

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Niton – Ventor Walk

But the tide was out and the Seaweed made a terrible smell and spoilt it all… sorry about that…!

Apart  from the seaweed smell, we walked along and Ventor is actually a lovely place and as far as I could see being renovated.  One thing really surprised me, were the little beach huts.  One of them was an original bathing machine from the 1860′s!  It’s incredible how it’s survived – I knew Queen Victoria was a big fan of the Isle of Wight (Osborne House is on the Island) how do we know she may have used this one!  The Longshore’s Museum has the details but I can’t find a website to link to

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Niton – Ventor Walk

It was then time to end our walks for the day – to sit down and rest! Oh and have some well deserved Dinner!!

Click here for an idea of the Route Map. All My photos are -

2010 – 17.04.2010 – Niton – Ventor Walk

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Isle of Wight – Godshill – Niton Walk – 17.04.2010

We were about to find out that the village of Godshill was truly set on a hill (or rather some of it!).  We decided to look Godshill Parish Church.  Walking past Batswings Tea Room – one of the original surviving thatched cottage in the village from 16th Century, we started what seemed like a steep ascent to the top of a hill to where the church was based.

The church itself is a fine example of medieval architecture, and although it only has a small amount of Stained glass, I have since discovered, one of those stained glass was designed and created by William Morris Eldest son!  The Church seems to be a thriving church (you could tell by a decent notice board!!).  It also has a beautiful position on the hill and some wonderful views.

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Godshill – Niton Walk

It was time to move on from the church to continue our walk.  Before we move on, I had pondered on the name of Godshill, and I have found out  that the name has been derived from Legend that ” …building of a church was begun at the bottom of the hill but large stones kept disappearing overnight and reappearing at the site of the present church at the top of the hill.  After two consecutive nights work was restarted but after the third removal of the stones it was assumed that God wanted the Church built on the hill and hence the name Godshill was formed..”

We had to continue our walk along the road for a while, which was proving to be very hot.   Indeed the summer was setting in very early.  We turned in to a cooler lane, which was a very welcome relief for walking.  As we walked on, it was not long, before the tell tale signs of a long lost steam railway appeared

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Godshill – Niton Walk

The Isle of Wight was criss-crossed with Railways before the Axe of Mr Beeching cuts, and there was evidence everywhere! For better or for worse, it is still a sad sight to see neglected bridge! This particular route would have been through Godshill and on to Whitwell Isle of wight Rail click here for Route Map and history.

Walking on through Beacon Alley onto the Niton Road, it seemed to become hotter and hotter!  In fact it felt more like July than April…  It made the route seem longer than it actually was.  I had invested a pedometer, so I could tell how far we had walked!  The scenery was mainly farmland (again) and again due to road walking and heat we did not stop to take many photos!

We walked through the pretty villages of Bierley and Kingsgate – both very very small to reach our final destination of Niton (not Nytol which I kept wanting to say!!)

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Godshill – Niton Walk

A pretty little village, with one shop with everything in it – a family grocers which was established in the 1890′s – fortunately for us everything in it was not from the 1890′s

So we stopped for a picnic in this lovely village to prepare ourselves for our final walk of the day!

Click here for Route Map. All My photos are -

2010 – 17.04.2010 – Godshill – Niton Walk

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Isle of Wight – Rookley – Godshill Walk – 17.04.2010

As we walked out – April felt like June and although in a some of my previous walks we had encountered the sun, this was the first walk I could really say that winter felt had truly disappeared.  It was then I was reminded of a great song (I shall only quote from a few verses!!)

“… it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here
Here comes the sun…”
“…it seems like years since it’s been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it’s all right ….”© 1969 TheBeatles

Click here for all the Lyrics

Rookley is in the Middle of the Isle of Wight – a small Island – but actually quite decieving when your walking it in when it is hot! The walk took us past vast amounts of farmland and although I noted lots of public footpaths, they would have us taken off our route to the little village of Godshill. These Public footpaths were to the villages of Merstone and Rookley Green (unfortunately in the very small time we were there I didn’t get to visit them – so maybe next time!!)

The walk to Godshill was quite short a few miles at most, and unfortunately by road so I was unable to take many photos (as it was busy for a Saturday), but luckily two very photogenic horses decided to pose for me!!)

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Rookley – Godshill Walk

It was not long before we reached the lovely village of Godshill.  A quaint village, and unsure were the name came from (I will look it up in the next blog) but it was certainly a lovely place to walk around – so we took some time out to look around…

The first place we stopped by were the Tea Rooms & Gardens – the gardens were cooling – it was crammed full of water features!!  They were really lovely and I dont think GroundForce could have done a better job LOL.  Seriously though the gardens have been developed  over many years and very well looked after

From 2010 – 17.04.2010 – Rookley – Godshill Walk

Walking on from the garden past the old Cider Barn, which had sadly lost it’s lovely thatched roof for the moment (nearly all the cottages in Godshill were thatched) we walked onto the Old Smithy.   I presume this was an old blacksmith at one point, but now a famous attraction as “The Old Smithy Garden” (and has been for many years apparently).   It is extremely well kept and not to crammed.  Although this was not officially a Model Village (That was hidden further down the village), they had even managed to create a miniature version of the Isle of Wight !

Sadly, as we walked to the other end of the garden, we came across the worst kind of commercialism ever.  A new tea shop (not so bad) but everything was new!  It was terrible – personally I didn’t like it and I think it would take away from any local business!   Just felt so out of place from an “Old” Smithy….

But before leaving I did manage to taste Isle of Wight Ice Cream!

All My photos are -

2010 – 17.04.2010 – Rookley – Godshill Walk

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