Walk 6 Ventnor to Lower Hyde - 5.3 miles

I have been walking between Ventnor and Shanklin ever since I first came to the island as a child, but usually go along the Landslip or over the downs, both of which are pretty much out of the question in winter as I never knowingly do mud! So it was good to find a paved version with the useful benefit of ending up by Lidl if need to shop!

Rew Lane

I started the walk on Mitchell Avenue but the number 3 bus stop outside Island Free School in Upper Ventnor would be even nearer. Just past the school, Rew Lane leads inland and runs behind the main road through one of the prettiest valleys in the South Wight. There is very little traffic on the road as it just serves a couple of farms so it's pleasant walking.

If he had kept a bit stiller I could have got a better shot of this blue-tit on a blackthorn bush!

There were many patches of bluebells along the hedgerows, but again more of the pink, Spanish variety than the English blue ones.

The road eventually leads into Wroxall Village where we turn left uphill to take the right hand road just before the church to pick up the Sunshine Trail cycle path which runs all the way to Shanklin. Recently resurfaced, the path follows the track of the disused railway line, which used to link Ryde with Shanklin, Wroxall and Ventnor until the Beeching cuts of 1966 closed the track beyond Shanklin.

Isle of Wight Rail Network in 1914

Through the trees in the distance you can get a glimpse of the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary.

This view is up towards Gat Cliff and is a very Ventnorian mixture of farmland and exotic Cordyline trees.

Peering over a garden wall, you will catch a glimpse of the grand facade of the ruined Appuldurcombe House, which I will visit in my next blogpost.

The track now comes into Shanklin running alongside the holiday park at Lower Hyde to come out on Landguard Rd.

 

View full walk details

Walk Details
Distance: 5.3 miles
Time: 2 hours
Refreshments: shops and pubs in Wroxall and Shanklin
WC: Four Seasons pub Wroxall, public WC in Shanklin town centre
Bus: No 3 from Ventnor to Shanklin