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Walk from Yarmouth

Leicester, United...
275 posts
18 helpful votes
Walk from Yarmouth

We are staying at Norton Grange in May and thinking about walking from the site into Yarmouth and along the old railway line to Freshwater and back by bus. I wondered what the surface of the Railway walk is like as my husband is blind which makes an uneven surface difficult. Also as we have never been to this part of the island unsure of the bus route with repards to the Bus stop options in Freshwater and the Norton Grange entrance. Thanks for any help or any ideas for short walks in quiet surroundings in the are?

6 replies to this topic
1,418 posts
1. Re: Walk from Yarmouth

My recollection is that the surface of the track to Freshwater is pretty even though I’ve not done it for a few years. Completing the circle by bus is a good idea as the path on the western side of the river goes through farmland and is much more difficult. The estuary ends at a road called the Causeway. Unless you are particularly keen to go to Freshwater village you can take a right here and walk down to get the 7 bus at Hooke Hill- maybe stopping at the pub on the way. There is a bus stop right outside Norton Grange.

Leicester, United...
275 posts
18 helpful votes
2. Re: Walk from Yarmouth

Thanks for your information. We may get the bus to the causeway end and walk back as will be easier to co-ordinate bus times.

1,418 posts
3. Re: Walk from Yarmouth

That’s certainly an option but the buses are excellent on the island, you won’t have to wait long and you can always kill time at the pub which is in a nice location opposite a church.

I’ve been thinking on your request for more walks. One would be to get the open top bus to the very end at Needles Old Battery. Let the bus turn around and go back and then follow it back along the cliff top road to the Needles Park. It’s less than a mile along a narrow road. Generally it’s slightly downhill. Only the buses and the National Trust are allowed to drive it - I’ve walked a few times and never been passed by a vehicle. At the Needles Park you can pick up the Open top bus or just a normal number 7 back to Yarmouth.

Another local possibility is bus to Totland then walk from Totland Bay to Colwell Bay (the bus is just a few minutes walk inland from there). I would check locally on that though as I’ve been when that has been blocked at the headland between the bays.

Going further it may be worth contacting Forestry England about access in Parkhurst Forest. If at least some of the paths are dry and even that may be a possibility.

Leicester, United...
275 posts
18 helpful votes
4. Re: Walk from Yarmouth

Thanks lots of helpful ideas. ?Do you know whether the open top bus stops outside Norton Grange if requested or would it be best to walk /ride into Yarmouth. I will also look into the walk between Totland and Collwell Bay. I have been using Google Earth to try and access the surfaces of footpaths etc but if my husband finds it too tricky we can alway return the same way. We are staying for a week and are planning half days out and relaxing the rest of the day so keeping it fairly local will be more time efficient. We are hoping to walk around the estuary area at New Town to listen to birds etc and visit Mottesford Gardens. Just hoping for decent weather. Thanks again

Romsey, United...
357 posts
116 helpful votes
5. Re: Walk from Yarmouth

Think Totland to Colwell bay is now open again, level walking on mainly concrete paths. The walks round Newtown estuary are lovely the boardwalk is doable some of the others perhaps less so but still worth a visit. Mottistone NT is definitely worth a visit plus they have the most superb outside tea garden! Fab cakes or light meals, a total must visit when we are on the IOW.

1,418 posts
6. Re: Walk from Yarmouth

The Needles Breezer does stop at Norton Grange but only on the way back to Yarmouth. It leaves Yarmouth the other way and goes to Totland via Freshwater Bay. So yes, probably best to walk into Yarmouth. You couid get a bus one stop but it really isn’t far. You’ve been on Google Earth so you’ll see - just cross the bridge and the bus station is on the left. You don’t have to go as far as the village itself.

I hope you get the weather you are looking for. If you are looking for a holiday of pottering around and short walks accessible by public transport then you’ve chosen a great place. Have a great time.

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