The BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2019 winners have been announced!
Village of the Year: Bembridge, Isle of Wight
"Wonderful coastal setting with a pier and lifeboat station, plus a busy village community with independent shops, cafés and restaurants. With three great beaches and the white cliffs of Culver Down on the doorstep, the village is the perfect base for exploring."
Beach of the Year: Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight
"Traditional bucket and spade beach on the east coast of the island with miles of golden sand, pier and eclectic seafront - and just a short walk to peace, fossil-rich cliffs and stunning coastal wildlife."
And from Bembridge, your base for exploring, you can walk the coastal path (photo below) to Sandown Bay! Start anywhere in Bembridge and walk to the sea end of Forelands Fields Road. Grid ref: SZ 654 872. At the end of Forelands Fields Road, there is a carpark. The nearest postcode is: PO35 5TR. Take the coastal path to the right of the carpark, with the sea on your left and walk to Whitecliff Bay. This is a bit muddy in places so I would suggest good walking boots. The path is well-used and well-maintained.
At Whitecliff Bay, you will have Whitecliff Bay beach on your left and the holiday park on the right. Keep going up on to Culver Down, which is National Trust land.
The views from the Culver are amazing. Sit at the Yarborough monument, enjoy the views and take a rest!
From the monument, walk towards the road and pick up the well-signposted coastal path which takes you down the hill to Yaverland. On our walk, this was a little wet and windy (it is very exposed!). Again, lovely views: Yaverland, Sandown and Shanklin with St Boniface Downs in the background. When you get to Yaverland carpark, there are toilets which appear to be open all year round!
Then, walk along Culver Parade and Sandown Esplanade with Sandown Bay beach on your left, as far as you would like! From Yaverland to Shanklin, the path is flat and accessible. Once in Sandown, and on the revetment, there are a few opportunities to take steps up to the coastal path which continues to Shanklin along the clifftops.
Spend time on Sandown Bay beach, pop in to one of the many cafés en route, or walk/catch a bus back to Bembridge!
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