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

Walk 12 A Stroll along the Duver

This walk is just a stroll along the stretch of sand in St Helens known as the Duver, (pronounced Duvver, though I always say it wrong.) It is a small spit of land projecting into Bembridge Harbour, where the currents have deposited shingle and sand at the mouth of the Eastern Yar across the years. The village of St Helens grew up around the Cluniac Priory and Church built in 11th century. When the old church became unsafe, a new one was built inland and a great wave totally destroyed the old church in the 18th century.

Not very happy with today's photos, so will try and get some better ones on my next trip!

When the tide is low the small boats are nestled on the mud flats. There is not much of historic interest here but it's a peaceful and scenic landscape.

Out in the bay you can see St Helens Fort, which was part of a defence system set up by Prime Minister Lord Palmerston in 1859 to defend Portsmouth from the French, though it was never used, leading it to be dubbed a Palmerston Folly.

Each year at low tide, hundreds of people of all ages trek three quarters of a mile across the exposed causeway to reach the Napoleonic fort, which has even been a set for an episode of Doctor Who. The event is never advertised, but the date, usually in August, spreads by word of mouth. Traditionally, walkers climb up and circle the fort's parapet before setting back for shore. There is a window of roughly 30 minutes to make the trip, but most walkers are pretty wet by the time they get back to the beach for the customary barbecue.

CC Image by Richard Heaven

At the end of the path we come to St Helens Old Church, which was built on the sands in the 14th century. The church was dedicated to the village's own saint St Helena. The church doubled as a lighthouse when it was painted white in the 18th century to guide ships. Now only the tower remains

Most of this land is owned by the National Trust, and it's a popular spot for a stroll along the sands, through rock pools and coastal woodland and home to many wading birds.

In 1882, the prestigious Royal Isle of Wight Golf Club was founded in the Duver, soon well known as Queen Victoria's sons, including Edward VII, played here. The clubhouse is now a holiday cottage run by the National Trust.

Now in June there are carpets of wildflowers, such as the salt-loving thrift and there are also some rare clovers and autumn squill.