My purpose in planning this walk was to photograph the site of the second Isle of Wight Festival in 1969.
Although I identified the location, it proved too difficult to shoot, as modern housing has been built all around the St Edmunds Fields site. However I did manage a walk along the creek, finishing back in the village.
I started the walk at The Cedars bus stop on Lushington Hill and then walked down to the Tide Mill pub, formerly The Sloop Inn. From the left corner of the car park, I took Mill Square, Sloop Lane and then crossed the green to Pump Lane leading to New Road.
New Road leads alongside the creek allowing glimpses of the creek through the boatyards and some very desirable properties on the left hand side of the road. The festival took place in the fields to the left of New Lane.
Follow New Road past Little Canada until it comes to a 5 way junction but this is rather confusing, with multiple no access signs and no road markings.
I intended to take Lower Woodside Rd which follows the bay round, but ended up on Upper Woodside Rd which cuts off the loop, but is an unmade farm track.
Both roads will eventually rejoin Palmers Rd, also mostly track, which leads back south to St Edmund's Church and the High St.
Built in 1087AD, the church is dedicated to St Edmund, who was King of East Anglia during the Danish invasions. Legend has it that he was martyred by the Danes as he refused to give up his faith, and was tied to a tree and killed by arrow fire. His remains were interred at Bury St Edmunds.
I believe the festival took place in St Edmund's Fields behind the church.
Wootton Bridge Historical has some excellent images showing the festival site and some of the acts who played there.
Headliners included Bob Dylan, The Who, Tom Paxton, The Moody Blues and The Pretty Things.
Following Church Road leads back to the main road opposite The Cedars Pub.
