Isle of Wight Coastal Path ( 9 Days & 8 Nights)

9 Days & 8 Nights

4.2

Isle of Wight Coastal Path - 9 Days & 8 Nights

Follow the coastal path along deserted sandy beaches and hidden bays
Marvel at the island's iconic landmark 'The Needles' chalk rocks
Stay in bustling harbour towns where a warm welcome is guaranteed
Admire the white cliffs and far-reaching views from Tennyson Down
Hunt for prehistoric fossils on deserted sandy beaches

With over half of the island designated as an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, almost 30 miles of heritage coast and an abundance of sunshine make the Isle of Wight a very appealing and welcoming destination in Britain. Add to this the wonderful 67-mile coastal path circumnavigating the island and you have a walker's paradise just waiting to be explored. Starting in the historic town of Ryde and following the coast in an anti-clockwise direction prepare to splendour in the delights the Isle of Wight has to offer. The unspoilt landscape has so much to offer, you can visit the blue flag beaches at Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor and wander through the charming towns of Cowes and Yarmouth. Escape into the wide open spaces of Tennyson Down, watch the wildlife of the West Wight and Bembridge, and wonder at the natural beauty of the estuaries in the north and the rolling downs running south to the sea.

From $1,535.00

Book Now Inquire Tour Brochure

Gallery

All Photos (10)

Itinerary

Expand all

Day 1 Starting Point: Ryde

Ryde is located on the East coast of the Isle of Wight and is serviced by regular transport from Portsmouth (South England). You can catch a high-speed passenger catamaran (Wightlink) which connects with railway stations at either end in less than 22 mins.

Direct mainline train connections run from Portsmouth to London Waterloo (1.5 - 2 hrs), Brighton (1.5hrs), Bristol (2.5 hrs) and Southampton (1hr) frequently. If you are planning to drive to Portsmouth then you can leave your car at the port in the long-stay multi-story car park for a charge. You can also catch the superfast hovercraft (Hovertravel) service from Southsea to Ryde in just 10 mins.

Ryde itself boasts wide beaches with shallow waters and a beautiful Victorian Pier. Ryde is the gateway to the Island, a busy seaside town full of life.

Overnight Ryde

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ryde Castle Hotel | 3 Star | Hotel

The stately Ryde Castle sits on Ryde Esplanade. Character, history, and fantastic sea views across the Solent make this majestic building the ideal place to stay on the Isle of Wight.

Some of their rooms have four-poster beds, most have fantastic sea views, but all are inviting, and offer wonderful comfort, fabulous décor and the promise of a restful night’s sleep.

Royal Esplanade | Hotel

The seventy room Royal Esplanade Hotel is a listed building pleasantly situated, facing the Solent, in the centre of the attractive sea-side town of Ryde. Every room comes with a flat-screen TV. You will find a kettle in the room. Each room is fitted with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. The newly refurbished Harry’s Bar and Brasserie is open to residents and non-residents and offers a relaxed dining experience. The décor is classically styled - reminiscent of the golden age of Bogarde and Casablanca - complete with Kensian Palms.

Park Lodge B&B | Bed and breakfast

Park Ryde B&B is a small B&B offering a very warm welcome in the centre of Ryde. Enjoy their tasty breakfasts and a good night's sleep in their comfortable rooms.

Day 2 Ryde to Cowes 8.5 miles / 14 km

Leaving Ryde you pass the church at Binstead, where since Norman times there has been a place of worship. Strolling through woodland you reach the ruins of the original Quarr Abbey before the latest incarnation a little further along the trail. Crossing Wootton Creek you enter Wootton and minor roads take you into small copses and onto Osborn house which is worthy of a slight diversion. After East Cowes, you cross the floating bridge and into the historic town of Cowes.

Overnight Cowes

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

One Fifty | Bed and breakfast

One Fifty is a large, comfortable family home offering lovely B&B accommodation, set in a lovely residential road. They have four rooms available for guests. Each one is spacious with modern, elegant interiors, beautiful linen,
private bathrooms/showers and everything to make your stay a relaxed and comfortable one. Flat screen TV, free WiFi access, tea & coffee trays and daily fresh fruit bowls, bath robes, Bath House toiletries and handmade soap are available in all rooms.

Best Western New Holmwood Hotel | Hotel

The Best Western New Holmwood Hotel is situated at Egypt Point, home to a multitude of world famous yachting events. The hotel offers fantastic panoramic views across the solent from its public areas with Cowes being only a 15 - 20-minute walk along the waterfront. The hotel has a superb sea facing restaurant offering top quality cuisine.

The Caledon | Bed and breakfast

The Caledon is a family run bed and breakfast in Cowes on the beautiful Isle of Wight. They offer the perfect mix of a friendly, welcoming bed and breakfast with the spacious, non intrusive feel of a small hotel. The lovely Victorian guest house has a modern feel, with original floorboards, high ceilings and lots of Victorian features. All of the bedrooms are recently refurbished in a modern, relaxed style.

Day 3 Cowes to Shalfleet, transfer to Cowes 9 miles / 14 km Day 4 Transfer to Shalfleet, walk to Yarmouth/Totland Bay. 7.5 miles / 12 km Day 5 Yarmouth/Totland Bay to Freshwater Bay 9.5 miles / 15 km Day 6 Freshwater Bay to Chale 11.5 miles / 18.5 km Day 7 Chale to Sandown 12.5 miles / 20 km Day 8 Sandown to Ryde 12.5 miles / 20 km Day 9 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 8kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our greenest trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 8kg is equivalent to 12 pints of local beer at a bar. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

Reviews

Expand all

Other Information

Expand all

Is it for me? Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

Getting to the Isle of Wight is easy, it is an accessible island just off the South Coast of England.

By Air—The closest airports to Portsmouth/Southsea (for ferries) are Bournemouth and Southampton. Slightly further afield you have London Gatwick, with many international connections.

By Rail—Portsmouth is on the main train line and takes approx 2hrs from London, 1.5hrs from Brighton and from Bristol its 2.5hrs.

By Car—the M27 spur runs off the M3 directly into the heart of Portsmouth, making driving an option.

You can save money and reduce the impact of tourism on the island by leaving your car in Portsmouth and catching a passenger ferry. You can leave your car in the multistory car park for a nominal fee.

By Sea—Passenger ferries run from Portsmouth (crossing time 22 mins). Hovercrafts run from nearby Southsea (an incredible short crossing time of only 10 minutes)

If you need to take a car you should catch a ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourn, followed by a short drive to Ryde.

For more information about trains, ferries, or flights please read our Getting To & Around The Isle of Wight blog.

Getting from the End

By Air—The closest airports to Portsmouth/Southsea (for ferries) are Bournemouth and Southampton. Slightly further afield you have London Gatwick, with many international connections.

By Rail—Portsmouth is on the main train line and takes approx 2hrs to London, 1.5hrs to Brighton and to Bristol it's 2.5hrs.

By Car—the M27 spur runs off the M3 directly into the heart of Portsmouth, making driving an option.

By Sea—Passenger ferries run to Portsmouth (crossing time 22 mins). Hovercrafts run to nearby Southsea (an incredible short crossing time of only 10 minutes)

If you need to take a car you can drive from Ryde and then catch a ferry from Fishbourn to Portsmouth.

A good source of reference for travel details is the travel line website: www.traveline.org.uk

Luggage Transfer

Enjoy the ease of having your luggage transferred daily, allowing you to walk with just a light daypack and your packed lunch. Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved on to your next overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 15kg per person.

Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Walking Direction

Our itineraries follow an anti-clockwise direction, as this is the preferred route for baggage transfer services.

Dogs

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate walkers with dogs as many of the accommodation providers do not accept pets.

Equipment

You will need good walking shoes (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack as well as sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. This route involves a few climbs where you may find it useful to have your walking poles. As this route primarily follows the coast, we recommend bringing windproof clothing to make it easier to progress.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.