This is not a circular walk, although a short detour could be made through Puckpool Park on the way back to Seaview from Ryde for some variety, or a bus can be taken from Ryde bus station back to Seaview.
The walk could quite easily be extended in either the quaint seaside town of Seaview or in the charming, and often vibrant, seaside town of Ryde. Of course, this walk is easily accessible from the mainland, either by Hovertravel (Southsea to Ryde) or Wightlink FastCat (Portsmouth Hard to Ryde Pier Head) and then the walk would be done in reverse, and again could be walked in both directions or public transport could be used one way.
www.wightlink.co.uk
I started this walk from St Peter's Church in Seaview. Postcode: PO34 5EN. Grid ref: SZ 628 915. From the church, head down to the seafront and take the direct route towards Ryde, with the sea on your right. This is a flat, accessible walk the whole way and it should take about an hour. Allow two - three hours if you intend to stop in Ryde for refreshments or shopping! There are also a few places to stop for refreshment on the way.
It can be an invigorating walk, if windy, as there is little shelter from the elements along the seafront in Seaview. There is always a view of the mainland all the way along: look out for Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower and the hills behind the city. It is always interesting to see what is happening on the water. Most days you will see sailing boats from Seaview, cross-channel ferries in and out of Portsmouth, island ferries and hovercraft crossing the Solent to and from the mainland, and large cargo ships and cruise liners on their way to the port of Southampton. Once you get to Appley, the pebbles of Seaview beach are replaced with golden sands. The beautiful sandy beaches of Appley attract many visitors in the summer.
Once in Appley, you could turn back and head through Puckpool Park and take a look at Puckpool Battery, an old Palmerston Fort, built in 1865. Or you could walk on through Ryde, to the bus station, hoverport or Pier to make your way home. Ryde has a lot to offer, with many independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs. You could also combine this walk with a day out at one of the many annual festivals held in Ryde, like the Scooter Rally, held annually on August Bank Holiday Monday.
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