Going by the book - Freshwater Circular

Jill kindly gave me this great recently published book - "Walking on the Isle of Wight" by Paul Curtis  (which might be one members would be interested in  buying for themselves - I'm not on commission, honest, but I think it's a cute and helpful little book, and includes useful GPX downloads too),  and I thought we could try out one or two of the listed walks as rambles. Possibly with minor tweaks as to start/finish points or direction, but taken either literally or "based upon" the book. 

Please note these walks will be posted on this Walks Programme based currently purely on the information contained in the book, I have not yet walked them out. If when I recce there's anything on the route I don't fancy for our group, or think could be improved upon, then i will amend, and update distance on here if applic, so do please check back here before the walk date. 

The first one we'll try is walk no 6 in the book - "Freshwater Circular”.

I have amended the book's startpoint to Alum Bay as I was excited to find the extensive but expensive parking at the Needles is free up until 23 March, plus there are toilets and cafe facilities there which make it a good start/end point. And handily for any bus users, the 08.45 No 7 from Newport bus station arrives at Alum Bay at 09.45. So we will start the walk to tie in with that, from the mini-roundabout at the entrance to the Needles Pleasure Park, heading anti-clockwise. 

Unusually for a walk from Alum Bay, we won't be going up and over Tennyson Down (sorry to disappoint anyone who particularly wanted to do that - another time8 !) but will be heading on a lower level along the inland side to Freshwater Bay. We will pass Dimbola Lodge, St Agnes' thatched church, and Tennyson's former home at Farringford House, going under Tennyson's bridge. 

From there we head via Middleton into Freshwater itself, and on via Golden Hill park to the coast at Colwell. From Colwell Bay we will take the coast path, a fabulous section, along to Totland and finally up over Headon Warren and back down to Alum Bay to complete our circle. 

There will be some sections of road walking (walk single file and take care), but not too much. 

Drinks stop(s) as applicable, and there will be a picnic lunchstop (place yet to be decided but weather permitting probably by the sea at Colwell or Totland), so please bring a packed lunch ! 

Toilets at start/finish at Alum Bay, and en route at Freshwater, Colwell, and Totland. 

Please treat this as a full day's walk with stops. However if anyone wishes to have a shorter walk, there are potentially opportunities to leave this walk early to the No 7 bus route (half hourly in either direction) at Freshwater, Colwell and Totland. 

Travel 
Quick little disclaimer  please: I'll do my best to assist as regards time estimates, checking timetables, and suggestions re possible travel logistics, however with this as with all walks, your own travel arrangements are your responsibility so you need to satisfy yourself regarding your own individual needs.   

Car 
Large car park at the Needles Pleasure Park at Alum Bay, which is free at this time of year.

Bus 
The 08.45 No 7 bus from Newport bus station arrives at the Needles Pleasure Park at Alum Bay at 09.45 and our walk will start from thatbus stop at the entrance to the park.

Return No 7 buses from Alum Bay to Newport half hourly at 25 and 55 mins past the hour.

Car share 
In the interests of the air, parking, and non-drivers, if anyone is able to offer, or needs, a car share then please post on WhatsApp group. To join the group please message Serena on 07564 811690.