Walk 26 Coastal Path Ryde to St Helens - 4.85 miles

Another stage on the coastal path, having gone a bit out of sequence on my clockwise route. I started at Appley Sands just outside Ryde and more or less followed the path into St Helens. Before writing this post, I came across a new HDR photo editing app, which explains some of the unnatural images...just a bit of fun!

I was quite pleased with the way my camera handled these shots across the Solent, after all the coast is about 7 miles away. The nearest of these Solent Forts is No Man's Land Fort, and behind it is Horse Sand Fort, both built as part of the Palmerston defences and now  hospitality centres.

On the north-eastern tip of the island is the village of Seaview; originally an Edwardian holiday resort and the village is comprised largely of holiday accommodation and second homes, making it very seasonal in character.

 This view taken around 1900 shows the old suspension bridge.

The latest additions are these upmarket beach huts with space for one's boating equipment below and living space above, but at over £199,000 and no sleeping permitted they didn't appear to be very much occupied this week.

A feature of Seaview Harbour any time of the year are the Sea View One-Design Dinghy class of up to 180 classically designed wooden racing boats built by a local family firm.

Even in August the huge expanses of beach from Appley to Seaview are virtually empty.

Looking across to Portsmouth one can see the Spinnaker Tower and the Gunwharf Tower Building.

Rope Walk leads up to the village by the Yacht Club.

Today was the Seaview Regatta, with sailing races and traditional family events such as climbing the Greasy Pole and fireworks.

 

I lunched here at the Old Fort Bar/Café.

Yachts sailing past No Man's Land Fort.

From Seaview I followed the sea wall, which can only be done at low tide; Bembridge Lifeboat Station is the the background.

The next bay is Seagrove Bay, popular with families playing beach games.

Priory Bay is around the next headland. I tried to follow the coast through the woods, but there is not really a path round these days, so the official coastal path route goes inland at the end of Seagrove Bay...route map here.

I took this ladder into Priory Woods and eventually found a route along the edge of the golf course to reach the coastal path again, descending across fields to St Helens.

Baywatch on the Beach is a popular café on the sea wall.

Walk Route

Walk Details
Start: Appley Rd
Finish: St Helens
Distance: 4.85 miles
Time:3 hours
Bus: No 8 to Ryde
Refreshments and WC: Puckpool, Seaview and St Helens