Nunwell Trail
| Route Overview | Starting in Sandown and heading north to Ryde, the trail passes water meadows and crosses the spine of chalk downland that runs the length of the Island. | ||||||
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| Distance - Full | 7 miles / 11.2 km | ||||||
| Typical Time - Full | 3 hours | ||||||
| Start Point | Sandown Railway Station | ||||||
| End Point | St Johns Railway Station, Ryde | ||||||
| Start point grid reference | SZ595845 | End point grid reference | SZ595919 | ||||
| Type of Route: | Linear | Level of walk: | Leisurely | ||||
| Route Features |
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| Accessibility / Facilities |
Begins near bus route Begins near parking Begins near toilets Begins near train station Ends near bus route Ends near parking Ends near toilets Ends near train station Suitable for Dogs |
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| Terrain | PROW (Public Right Of Way) | ||||||
| Route Description | This is one of 8 waymarked "Inland Trails" on the Isle of Wight. Leaving Sandown Railway Station, the route passes through the water meadows of the River Yar. You soon reach Alverstone Mead Nature Resve with its bird hide, where it is possible to see the only regular colony of sand martins on the Isle of Wight. Other birds include blackcap, garden warbler, chiffchaff and willow warbler. Now the trail heads north and begins to climb up Brading Down - there are panoramic views from the top of the whole of the East Wight, the Solent and Spithead. At the bottom of the northern slope is Nunwell House, famed for its ancient oaks. The trail then weaves through farmland, crossing the tracks of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and passing Smallbrook Stadium, home of Island Speedway. The path then runs alongside the railway line (Islandline this time - so no steam trains!) and reaches the outskirts of Ryde and St Johns Station. | ||||||
| Terrain Details | Easy walking with one steep climb and descent, either side of Brading down. | ||||||
| Additional Info / Warnings | The walk both crosses and runs alongside railway lines so please take care. | ||||||
| Access Info / Public Transport | The walk starts and ends at railway stations - call Islandline on 08457 484950 for info. | ||||||
| Services / Amenities | Sandown Station has a kiosk selling snacks and drinks. Sandown and Ryde are both large towns with many shops, pubs and cafes. The end of the walk can be continued another half mile into Ryde Town Centre and the Esplanade where there is a train station, bus station and terminals for the Hovercraft and FastCat to Southsea and Portsmouth. | ||||||
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| TSE Accommodation Search | |||||||
| More info | The Coastal Path & Inland Trails on the Isle of Wight | ||||||
