Visiting and Enjoying - EnjoyingWhen surveyed, visitors remark that natural beauty and beaches are the best aspects of the Isle of Wight. Locally, countryside and peace and quiet are continually given by Islanders as their favourite characteristics of Island life. The natural beauty of the AONB, nationally treasured for its special character, offers many opportunities for quiet enjoyment of spectacular countryside. The AONB Unit have pulled together their list of twenty favourite things to do for FREE in the AONB. - ENJOY BREATHTAKING VIEWS - The Needles from above Scratchell's Bay; the four corners of the Island from the obelisk on Appuldurcombe Down; the Tennyson Heritage Coast from Blackgang Viewpoint Car Park.
- CATCH SIGHT OF A RED SQUIRREL - The Isle of Wight is a stronghold for the Red Squirrel, with the stretch of water between the Island and the mainland preventing the Grey Squirrel from getting to our shores. Bouldnor Forest on the Hamstead Heritage Coast is a good place to try and catch a glimpse of this timid creature.
- RECEIVE A WARM WELCOME - Islanders like to spend time talking to friends, family and visitors, telling the odd joke or yarn and sharing their love and pride for this beautiful place.
- PRACTICE KITE FLYING - Even on the warmest day, it is rare to have no breeze in the AONB because of the effect of the sea. Brading Down has a Kite Flying day each year, taking advantage of the updraft from the East Yar valley below.
- TAKE A BIKE RIDE - Along one of the dedicated cycle routes, on the 'Round the Island Cycle Route' through picturesque lanes and quiet roads or for the more adventurous by mountain bike on Byways and Bridleways.
- BE A BEACHCOMBER - There are miles and miles of beaches along the Heritage Coasts and in other parts of the AONB to be enjoyed and explored.
- GET A FEEL FOR THE ISLAND'S HISTORY - Marvel at the fantastic historic buildings and environment of the AONB, from thatched churches to manor houses, obelisks to cottage ornes, burial mounds to World War II defence structures.
- LOOK AT STUNNING SEASCAPES - You are always close to the sea when in the AONB, with many surprise glimpses of the coastline and on a clear day parts of the mainland, a part of a journey through the area. The views out over the English Channel are truly naturally beautiful, with the only human influence being passing boats and yachts.
- LISTEN TO BIRDSONG - Take time to stop and listen, whether to the Skylark high above the downs, the Redshank on the muddy estuaries or the humble Blackbird in village gardens.
- DIP INTO ROCK POOLS - Explore another world in the rock pools on the seashore. Bembridge Ledges at Forelands and the rocks off Hanover Point near Brook.
- STAR GAZE - Only 5% of the night times skies in the South East are classified as 'Dark Skies'. Of that 5%, a large proportion is found in the Isle of Wight AONB. The Military Road and the area around Atherfield, are particularly good on a clear night to look at the Milky Way and constellations.
- FOLLOW A TRAIL - There are many waymarked trails through the AONB with something to suit everyone, from woodland walks in Forestry Commission land, to the more stenuous Tennyson Trail.
- FIND A FOSSIL - The cliffs and beaches of the coastlines of the AONB are a rich fossil record. Dinosaurs roamed through lush warm swamps, and their fossilised footprints and trunks of trees can be seen at low tide at Hanover Point. On the northern coast, fossilised shark teeth, turtle shell and occasionally woolly mammoth remains are found.
- ENJOY A SENSATIONAL SUNRISE OR SUNSET - Whether you are in the east or the west, the shadows and reflections of the sun across the landscape and glistening sea are spectacular.
- WONDER AT WILDLIFE - The AONB has a wealth of important habitats and species, reflected by the extent of conservation designations across the area. From the richness of the flowers and plants of chalk downland to the lowland meadows, the haunt of the Brown Hare, the AONB is home to many creatures.
- EXPERIENCE TRANQUILITY AND INSPIRATION - The AONB offers the opportunity to get away from it all and experience true peace and quiet. Its special character and qualities were captured by many authors and artists, from Tennyson and Gilpin to Turner, and continue to inspire today.
- GO AT A SLOWER PACE - Time to unwind, time to think and time to talk. The AONB seems to operate on its own time with more hours in the day.
- PONDER AT PLACE NAMES - From the descriptive to the unusual, the place names of the AONB have their own story to tell. (Mottistone, Blackgang Bluff, Old Pepper Rock, Dukem Down, Pigeon Coo Farm, Lambsleaze, Queen Bower, Bloodstone Copse).
- TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH - Capture a memory or a moment in the AONB. With so many things to see and do, you will be spoilt for choice.
- RELAX IN A RICH TAPESTRY OF LANDSCAPES - The natural beauty and diversity of the landscapes of the AONB, provide a great opportunity to relax and enjoy all the sense of place afforded by the Island's finest landscapes.
Members of the AONB Unit regularly lead walks throughout the year, as part of the Walking Festival in May and the celebration of Heritage Open Days in September. We have had many requests for leaflets to accompany our walks, the first four of which are now available as pdf's, and more are in the pipeline. The layout has been designed so that when printed in order back to back, the numbered pages will fold neatly into a handy leaflet. We have also included a pdf of a larger map for each walk, which provides information on the start point, grid reference, duration, distance and general direction of the walk. Striding Out in Shorwell Map - Striding Out in Shorwell Brighstone Then and Now Map - Brighstone Then and Now Worsleys, Wyverns and Appuldurcombe Map - Worsleys, Wyverns and Appuldurcombe Over Undercliff and Up Downs Map - Over Undercliff and Up Downs |
