This walk starts at Arreton Barns on the Isle of Wight. Set in beautiful countryside in the heart of the island, Arreton Barns is home to a range of arts and crafts studios, shops and a pub. It is open 7 days a week and the car park is free. However, I assume you should only really park there if visiting the shops or the pub! That shouldn't be a problem: the shops are good (there is an excellent farm shop that sells local produce, including fresh fruit and veg) and you could visit the pub after your walk (even if just for a cup of tea..and a bit of cake!). Before leaving the Barns after your walk, I would certainly recommend a stroll around its grounds which has a medieval fish pond, a village green and a 12th century church. The postcode for Arreton Barns is: PO30 3AA and the grid reference is: SZ 533 867.
Arreton Barns is also on Southern Vectis bus route 8 between Sandown and Newport. Why not just leave the car at home, take the bus, do the circular walk, enjoy Arreton Barns with pub and shops, and then bus home!
From the entrance of Arreton Barns main car park, head across the field towards Arreton Cross. Cross the road to join the Bembridge trail, heading west. After about a kilometre or so, take the footpath on the left. This is the second path on the left (the first one is after about 500 metres). Head down the path which continues along the edge of a field and cross the main road. This path is now a farm track. Go left just after Merston Farm (not spelled wrong - honest!) in to Chapel Lane. Walk to the end of Chapel Lane until you get to a T junction. You are in the village of Merstone. Turn right. After passing the houses, take the lane on the left which has houses on the corner as you turn. This lane is very straight. Cross East Lane and take the well-signposted footpath that leads to Redway. The footpath skirts around the farm to the left.
Watch out for the footpath sign and take the path to your left which goes through a corn field (see photo below!). At the end of this path, go left again and then right. This path crosses another footpath and then takes you back to the village of Arreton. You come out on the main road which you will need to cross, and then take a left to walk along the pavement back up to Arreton Barns.
