Walk 55 Newport to Blackwater River Path

One of my aims for this summer is to walk the Red Squirrel Cycle Track in sections, and this was my first stage, from Newport to Blackwater Hollow.The route starts opposite Matalan. Cross the road and take the signposted footpath along the left side of the river to start the Red Squirrel Trail.This is a flat, scenic walk also known as Connie's Way, and is suitable for all walkers, including those with mobility restrictions, such as wheelchairs, walking aids or pushchairs.

 

After following the River Medina for a few minutes, cross Shide Road to continue through Pan Mill Meadows.

The Meadow is managed by Gift to Nature and filled with wild garlic, bluebells and buttercups. In the meadow, yellow flag, water mint and meadowsweet can be seen, and you may be able to spot woodpeckers, butterflies, dragonflies or a water vole along the river.

This walk finishes at Blackwater Hollow, but the path continues on to Merstone, and Godshill across the road.

Walk Details
Start: Matalan, Newport
Finish: Blackwater Hollow
Distance: 1.5 miles
Time: 50 miins
Bus: No 3 from Ryde or Newport
Refreshments/WC: Newport town centre

Walk 54 Ventnor to Old Park - 4.5 miles

This is a flat, paved walk along Undercliff Drive to St Lawrence and back again, suitable for all weathers. Since a landslip closed a section of the road there is now little traffic on it.

The route starts in town by The Rex, passes along Belgrave Rd, currently being rebuilt after a landslide.Continue straight ahead to Ventnor Park, which is lovely in summer, but was not at its best today.In summer there are refreshments in the tent on the putting green.Passing the cricket ground we come to Ventnor Botanic Gardens. The cafe, plant sales and shop are open to all without paying the entrance fee. From the cafe terrace you can look out over the palm garden.

Just past the gardens is Lisle Combe, once the home of the poet Alfred Noyes, now a bed and breakfast.

St Lawrence has 2 churches; the one on the main road dates from 1867and is famous for its collection of stained glass by Edward Burne-Jones, William Morris and Ford Madox Brown.

A little further on, a footpath leads uphill to the right to the 12th century Old Church.

ITookSomePhotos, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

I ended the walk at the junction with Spindlers Road and Old Park Road and retraced my steps back to town, but Old Park Road leads down to the coastal path for anyone wishing to return beside the sea.

Walk Details
Start: Ventnor Town Centre, Belgrave Rd
Finish: Ventnor Town Centre
Distance: 4.4 miles, there and back
Time: 2 hours
Bus: No 3 and 6 from Ryde or Newport
Refreshments/WC: In Ventnor and Botanic Gardens, Public WC in Ventnor Park