The Warrior Trail is a six mile circular trail on the Isle of Wight, which can be undertaken on foot, by bike and even on horseback. It has been created in celebration of one of the Isle of Wight’s most prominent World War One (WWI) stories: that of General Jack Seely and his horse called Warrior - a real-life 'War Horse'. Warrior was dubbed the “Horse the Germans Could Not Kill” by the newspapers of his era having survived some of WWI’s most famous conflicts. He was first led into battle in 1914 by General Jack Seely, a great friend of Winston Churchill. Warrior was raised and trained on the Isle of Wight, and upon his return to the Island in 1918 he became a local hero – even going on to win The Lightweight Race at the Isle of Wight Point to Point in 1922.
The trail follows much of the route on which Warrior was once exercised, which ran all the way from Carisbrooke Castle, near Newport, to the beach at Brook Bay, where he was trained to confront the dangers of battle in the surf. It also winds around the picturesque villages of Mottistone and Brook, where Jack Seely once lived, up onto Mottistone Down past the Neolithic Long Stone, and along a section of the Isle of Wight’s coastal path.
The alternate sections for cyclists explore the villages of Brighstone and Yafford, where Warrior was born. You can learn more about the story of Warrior by visiting the exhibition at Carisbrooke Castle Museum or reading online at:
Weatherwise, I didn't choose the best of days to walk this trail! It was August, yet very wet and windy, and a bit cold! Despite this, I enjoyed it and I look forward to doing it again on a sunnier day. I started the walk at the free car park next to Mottistone Gardens, off the B3399. The postcode is PO30 4ED and the grid reference is SZ 405 837. The gardens (including the tea garden!) are worth a visit. Do check the opening times if you want to include a visit the this National Trust property as part of your walk.
Follow signs from the car park to the Long Stone (photo below). Continue past the Long Stone, with Longstone Farmhouse on your right, and head west until you reach a wooded area and then a long driveway. Brook Hill House is on your left as you follow the driveway towards the road. Turn right on to the road (the B3399) for a short stretch and then take the footpath on the left. The footpath divides shortly and you take the left fork (you will be pleased to see it is not as steep as the other path!). After a while, take the next left turn (you will see two parallel paths, you can take either) and you arrive in Brook via Badger Lane. Once in the village of Brook, turn right and head towards the Military Road, the A3055. Following a short walk along, and then crossing, the Military Road, you will see the Old Lifeboat Station. Then take the coastal path, heading east, with the sea on your right for just over two kilometres. Look out for a left turn, up Ridget Lane (the first path off to the left after the Old Lifeboat Sation), and head back to Mottistone. The walk should take just over two hours but allow a bit more time to take in the views...
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