Seagulls Rest
Colwell Chine Rd
Freshwater
Isle of Wight
PO40 9NP

Tel:
01983 754929

Email:
selena.flint@btinternet.com

Seagulls Rest on the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight lies approximately 4 miles off the central southern coast of England. It's

the UK's most accessible Island - at 23 miles [37km] by 31miles [21km] it's easy to get around. More than half the Island is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with 500 miles of award-winning public footpaths and bridleways. Almost 30 miles of its seashore is Heritage Coast. The Isle of Wight boasts stunning coastal scenery, unspoilt forests and woodland, natural river valleys and a wealth of fascinating attractions. The Isle of Wight's mild climate and exceptional number of sunshine-hours make it a favourite holiday destination for people of all ages.

Freshwater

There are two parts to Freshwater, the main town and Freshwater Bay. Freshwater is positioned at the western tip of the Island. The town offers a good range of quaint shops in the town centre, and like Yarmouth, Freshwater is busy all year round. It is the main shopping town for residents of the West Wight. There are a wealth of hotels and holiday centres, touring parks and self-catering cottages, which capitalise on the towering white cliffs, rolling downland and beautiful beaches at Freshwater Bay, Totland and Colwell.

Freshwater Bay is open to the Channel and takes the brunt of the prevailing winds in the winter months. Here you can see the rolling waves coming in from the Channel, crashing against the cliffs. In the summer months, however, the waters are calm and still and where the beach is pebbly , the waters are clear.

Freshwater has been attracting people for years. The Farringford Hotel was the home to Alfred Lord Tennyson, who wrote much of his work at this superb property, which looks out towards Freshwater Bay. It’s as inspiring now as it was then.

Margaret Cameron, a noted Victorian photographer, attracted many members of Victorian society, whom she photographed at her home in Freshwater Bay. Dimbola Lodge is now a trust and preserves much of her work.

If you like walking, the West Wight area and Freshwater are for you. The downs at Tennyson and Freshwater are able to provide stunning views and scenery. You will be able to walk towards Alum Bay and pass this beautiful bay, with its deep blue, clear waters. When you get onto the downs, you can see the Needles, white spires of chalk which rise up from the sea with the lighthouse at the end. This lighthouse guides ships safely past the treacherous rocks. Whilst there, check out the battlements and concrete structures which were used to forward rocket science. The Black Knight Rocket was tested from here. Not bad for a sleepy Island!

The coastline which runs from Yarmouth to Totland Bay, provides stunning beaches, with clear warm waters. The beaches are well serviced by cafés etc. and to sit in the sun, watching yachts and boats battle against the currents of the Solent, whilst your children play safely, is an experience you will never forget. Doubtless you’ll want to come back next year…

Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Tourist Information Centres have detailed local information. This includes maps and routes for walkers and cyclists, details of cycle hire firms, horse riding routes, guided walks and so forth. You will find an Isle of Wight Tourist Information Centre in each main town on the island.

Cowes is best known as the world's premier yachting centre and lies at the mouth of the Medina River. With its natural harbour it's the island's main port. Yachtsmen from around the world participate in the island's prestigious sailing events. Best known of these is Cowes Week - held annually at the beginning of August. The high-speed passenger catamaran service to Southampton can be found at Fountain Quay. You'll also find an Isle of Wight Tourist Information Centre here. The magnificent Osborne House at East Cowes is the former seaside holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It is preserved much as it was when the Queen died here in 1901.

Newport is The Isle if Wight's principal town and main shopping centre. Excellent roads and bus services make it easy to reach from anywhere on the Island. The colonnaded Guildhall - designed by John Nash - now houses the Museum of Island History, together with an Isle of Wight Tourist Information Centre. On the western bank of the river, are pubs, sports facilities and a cycle way to Cowes. Leisure sports are available at Seaclose Park and at the nearby Mountbatten Centre. This is a modern complex with an indoor swimming pool, theatre and adjoining Arboretum. Carisbrook Castle is just outside Newport - a mile and a quarter to the South West.

Ryde's main attraction is miles of glorious golden sand and shallow coastal waters which extend around the coast to Springvale and Seaview. Its firm, sandy beaches are ideal for beach games. The Esplanade has a marina, beautiful gardens and activities for all the family. A plaque on the sea wall commemorates the epic voyage of The First Fleet, which anchored off the Mother Bank, before setting sail for Australia's Botany Bay in 1787. Western Esplanade is home to another of the Isle of Wight Tourist Information Centres.

The twin resorts of Sandown and Shanklin have delighted generations of holidaymakers for over 150 years. The Victorians laid out the broad seafront promenades, beautiful parks and gardens. The cliff-top coastal path offers walkers panoramic views of the bay. Sandown seafront is just yards from the town's shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Shanklin is a town of great character and charm with many interesting small shops. Sheltering cliffs provide the ideal suntrap position for the seafront Esplanade. There is a variety of amenities and attractions here. These include safe bathing from a sandy beach, water sports, car parks, amusements and a host of pubs and restaurants. The High Street of both towns have Isle of Wight Tourist Information Centres.

Built on a series of terraces beneath St. Boniface Down, Ventnor is one of the sunniest spots on the Island. The western end of the Esplanade adjoins the coastal path along the western cliffs, affording spectacular views of the bay. The Isle of Wight Tourist Information Centre is in Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road.

The Isle of Wight is an island for all seasons: easily accessible with what many feel are the best of Southern England's landscape features - miles of wild and beautiful coastline and a green heartland of rural charm and timeless tranquillity.