Starting off 2019, {March 23rd, I recently heard of another bluebell wood, so decided to check it out before having lunch in Godshill. Not really a proper walk, just a mile, but it made a lovely stroll in a patch of ancient woodland just behind Godshill village. As is often the way on the island, a five minute walk away from the thronging coach parties led into a haven of peace and open views across the south of the Wight. Watch out for red squirrels among the trees, but I had no luck today.
The walk starts out along Hollow Lane which runs to the right of the Griffin Inn on the High Street, a large family oriented eatery currently offering a carvery three times a week, with plenty of garden tables, a maze and a bouncy castle. A few steps down the lane, a sign marks the start of the path, which runs along the back of the pub garden.
After about 10 minutes, you reach a gate with the following signs leading into Tottle Bottom Farm.
Here you can take either of the main paths, left or right, as they both lead into a triangular loop marked out with the above brown signs.
This is the area where you will find the best of the bluebells. No more commentary needed, so
bluebells....voilà.
From the top of the path, before doubling back along the loop, a path leads away to meet up with the trail leading to the right through the Freemantle Gate and on to Appuldurcombe and Wroxall or left back to Godshill for anyone wanting a longer walk.
Here I found a pastoral idyll spread out before me...
However, lunch was calling, so I made retraced my steps back to the Griffin for a totally unearned lasagne.
Update and Extension March 2022.
No bluebells yet but did this walk again today but extended it past the triangle up through trees to turn left at the top of the slope and take a path down across a field to join the Stenbury trail and then Godshill Park Road to meet the main road opposite Moor Farm. (1.8 miles total). A fairly gentle slope.
Another extension is to add a loop up around Church Hill and Hollow Lane, taking in the church and pretty cottages seen in postcards of the village, taking the total distance to just over 2 miles..png)
Walk Details
Start: The Griffin Pub, Godshiill
Finish: The Griffin
Distance: 1 or 2 miles
Time: up to an hour
Bus: No 2 or 3 from Ryde or Newport
Refreshments/WC: Godshill cafes, pubs, public WC in car park opposite Griffin.
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