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HOME PAGE
This
page is still being constructed. Photographs, links, road numbers and grid
references have yet to be entered. The route can, of course, be ridden in
either direction, so many of the photographs show views taken whilst
heading to Freshwater.
Underlined words within the text are links to further
information, other web sites or to photographs. Grid references are marked
in blue.
- STARTING POINT: West Wight Sports Centre, Freshwater.
[Sports facilities, cafe and 'Pay & Display' car park.] Public
toilets in car park. Village shops nearby.
- Out of the car park, turn right, then
immediately right on road east through village. Follow road to mini
roundabout by Co-op and petrol station.
- Straight over roundabout between the
Co-op and the garage. Pass garden centre and 'End Of
The Line' cafe. Immediately beyond garden centre car park, turn
left onto small bridleway track next to stream. (Watch the corner unless you want to join the ducks!)
- The track is narrow at first, but
becomes wider at 90 degree right turn. You are now on the bed of the
old railway. Follow this until you reach the road at The Causeway. Leave the bridleway and turn right
onto road.
- Follow the minor road until it meets
the B3399 at Afton Barns. This can be an awkward junction. Turn left,
then immediately right onto unmade road/track.
- Just a few metres along the track, turn
left onto bridleway across fields. This bridleway climbs gently
between two fields, through the remains of a narrow gateway and onto
the bottom corner of the golf course.
- Keep to the right. A bit of grass, then
a rough track climbs to the right, then sharply back to the left.
Follow this track upwards across the golf
course. Keep to the track. You are now on the Tennyson Trail that runs
along the ridge of the Downs. This track is occasionally used by
4-wheel drive vehicles that do have a legal right to use the trail.
Good open views on both sides.
- At the end of the golf course there is
a gate. The trail now leads out onto the open Downland.
Keep on the trail. From here the views are
stunning in good weather. The trail continues over undulating Downland, then descends very steeply. (This descent is a bit
dodgy – take care!). There’s a gate at the bottom and a short track to
the road (B3399).
- Cross over and go through the gate
opposite. The trail climbs for some distance.
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- Pass through the gate at the top and go
straight on up. At the very top, there is another gate and the view is WOW! So is the downhill that follows. Warning! This part of the down is
littered with sites of historic and scientific interest. Please keep
to the trail. You may also
want to watch out for rabbit holes! (I strongly advise that you keep
to the right side of the trail on the descent).
- Try to stop in time for the gate at the
bottom of the hill. Go through the car park, cross the road and enter
the track on the opposite side. This is an
easier climb than the last one.
- Near the top, turn left thorough the
gate into the forest. The route is marked Tennyson Trail. The forest
has many curving trails and it is easy to lose your direction.
- Once in the forest, there is a crossing
of tracks. The Tennyson way climbs ahead of you.
- As you come out of the forest on the
east side, the aerial of Rowridge TV
transmitter is ahead and left. More forest is to your right. Stay on
the trail, it's easy from here!
- Various other paths and tracks drop off
the Down to either side. Keep straight on. Eventually, you will see
Carisbrooke Castle ahead right and the track
will enter a sunken lane. This lane descends to the road in
Carisbrooke.
- Turn left, down a short hill, then join the B3401. Right goes to Newport, left
returns to Freshwater.
- NOTE:
I strongly advise that you avoid using this road to cycle. The traffic
is frequently fast, there are lots of blind bends and narrow bits.
- ALTERNATIVE ENDING. As you leave the
sunken lane, turn right. Follow the lane until it reaches a bigger
road (B3323). Cross into Clatterford Shute
and down the steep hill. Go through the ford and follow the lane to
the left (Miller’s Lane). This follows the stream and brings you to a
point below the castle.
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