The “Ledge” in the Forelands area of Bembridge, Isle of Wight, is a rocky platform that can be seen at low tide (see photo below). Rock pools are revealed at low tide and are ideal for crabbing and paddling. I started my walk at the slipway off Paddock Drive. Postcode: PO35 5TL; grid ref: SZ 656 873. It is a good idea to check the tide before setting off as you cannot get along this beach easily now at high tide. Half way down Paddock Drive on the left is the coastal path and this is an alternative route if it is high tide. Walk along the beach to the RNLI Lifeboat station.
The coastal path from Paddock Drive comes out at the same point.
From the Lifeboat Station, walk along the sea wall, past the beach huts and then back down on to the beach. From here until Silver Sands at Bembridge Point, there are paths within the woods but these have been subject to coastal erosion and are often closed off in places, which means it is easier to walk along the beach. It is a beautiful beach, with views across to the mainland. The wind and sea have eroded the trees to the left of the beach, leaving interesting wooded shapes. In places, the sand can be squidgy, due to the blue slipper underneath. Out at sea, you can see St Helens fort.
Once in line with the fort, you can turn left up over the stones, along a path which comes out on the main road. This is the site which was Bembridge Station. This branch line used to connect Bembridge to Brading. Alternatively, you can keep walking on the beach and round past Bembridge Sailing Club and back to the same point. If you take this route, you get a good view of Bembridge harbour and across to the Duver and St Helens.
Cross the road and head up the dead end road with the toilets to your right. This road becomes a path and follows the disused railway line, with Brading Marshes to your right.
Keep on this path until you come out in Bembridge High Street. Turn left towards the village. Bembridge is thought to be the largest village in England. You can spend time in the village visiting shops and cafés, or turn right down Forelands Road. Continue until the road turns right, into Steyne Road, and take the left turn in to Lane End, then next right into Walls Road, past Bembridge Primary School. As Walls Road bends left, continue down the footpath on to Howgate Road. On Howgate Road, turn left and keep walking straight even when the road bends to the right to head down to the beach at Forelands Field Road (you can take this road back down on to the beach and walk back along the sea wall to the slipway off Paddock Drive). Past Beachfield Road on your right, next is Paddock Drive and you are back to where you started.
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