On Wednesday 6th May, 10 Westbury Walkers set off for a three-day walking trip on the beautiful Isle of Wight.
After a smooth ferry crossing and a short drive across the island, they spent the afternoon tackling the hilly 5-mile Monk and Merchant Walk from Blackgang Viewpoint.
The route followed grassy and woodland paths over to the old settlement of Wydcombe via St Catherine’s Oratory, locally known as the Pepperpot. From there it was uphill all the way to the Hoy Monument and then the return along sweeping St Catherine’s Down with it’s far reaching 360-degree views of land, sea and dramatic chalk cliffs. The glorious late bluebells, butterflies and horses were perfectly complemented by the ice cream van waiting at the car park at the end of the hike.
The group were guests of Norton Grange, the Warners Hotel right on the coast at Yarmouth. With tasty and plentiful food, a lovely pool and a great range of things to do in the evening it was the perfect base for walking around West Wight.
Day two was a circular walk from the hotel: anticlockwise round the coast to The Needles, east over Tennyson Down and back to Yarmouth following the Freshwater Way. Everyone revelled in the variety of the first five miles: woodland, cliff path, open heathland, promenade and beach all the way to Alum Bay. A gentle ride up on the chair lift was enough for a few walkers who took a bus back to base. Most of the group continued onwards to enjoy a scenic picnic lunch near the Needles Viewpoint. The remaining seven miles included a visit to the impressive Tennyson Monument and a peaceful amble along the more sheltered, lush valley that runs between Freshwater Bay and Yarmouth.
The final day found the group looking for dinosaur footprints at Hanover Point (not sure if they actually found any) before a short bus ride, a 5.5-mile circular walk over Compton Down and through Brook back to the coast.
Group reflections on the ferry ride back to Lymington concluded that the weather had been perfect for walking throughout the three days, the scenery magnificent and the company second to none. Everyone looks forward to next year’s time away together.
For further information about Westbury Walkers, contact Judy on westbury.walkers.uk@gmail.com
On Sunday 10th May, seven Westbury Walkers set off from Heytesbury for a 9.5 mile walk, starting through the village, then up on to the plain to join the Imber Range Path.
It was quite breezy across the open plain, but after crossing Chitterne Road, observing hundreds of orchard ermine moth caterpillars in their hedgerow webs, and walking along an avenue of beech trees, a lunch spot was found amongst trees. Then it was down to Upton Lovell and a track to join the Wessex Ridgeway as far as Knook.
After a brief look in the small mainly Norman church the walk along the riverbank past Scraptor metal sculptures and the old A36 milestone brought the walkers back to the start. It was encouraging to see several different butterflies along the way, despite the breezy, cloudy conditions.
For more information about future walks with Westbury Walkers please contact Judy at westbury.walkers.uk@gmail.com
