TRAVEL WORDS

A – Z of Locations: I is for IOW

During this year I shall be posting photographs from places around the UK, many of which have not been published before. Where I have previously blogged about a location I will provide a link to the post, though you won’t be able to comment on it as I restrict comments to six months.

I is for IOW – Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is a small island measuring 23 miles by 13 miles off the coast of Hampshire in the south of England. Regular ferry services cross from the mainland at Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington. Passengers can also choose from catamarans and hovercraft options to Ryde. We went over for a few days break during August in 2008. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side.

There is a lot packed into such a small island from the busy seaside town of Ryde on the north coast to the quieter south coast. The Military Road which runs along the coast between Chale and Freshwater Bay was built by the military in the 1860’s as part of the defence of the Island.

South Coast where dinosaur fossils can be found

Also known as the Dinosaur Island it is regarded as one of the richest areas for Dinosaur discovery in Europe. There are picturesque inland villages with thatched roofed buildings, traditional seaside resorts, beautiful beaches and a botanic garden and miles of footpaths and cycling tracks.

The Needles is a row of three stacks of chalk that rise about 30 metres out of the sea off the western extremity of the Isle of Wight

The Needles from the mainland. The Needles Lighthouse stands at the outer, western end of the formation. Built in 1859, it has been automated since 1994.

Alum Bay is well known for its multi-coloured sand cliffs. The Needles offers a range of attractions and rides for all ages. No visit to The Needles would be complete without a visit to one of their entertaining demonstrations, where you can get hands on with fascinating glass blowing, sweet making and sand filling and take away a piece of the Isle of Wight you won’t find anywhere else.

On the north coast is the lovely town of Yarmouth with ferry crossings over to Lymington (New Forest). The historic port town sits at the mouth of the River Yar and contains some of the oldest architecture on the Isle of Wight, including a 16th Century castle.

A little further east is the Newtown National Nature Reserve with several bird hides which is a nice place for some quiet time.

Newtown National Trust West Bird Hide – a unique bird hide that feels more like home. Set on two levels, it has windows all around. Inside you can find books, chairs, binoculars and a lot of information about the local wildlife.

And if you like visiting historic houses then there is Osborne House. Queen Victoria and Albert bought the Osborne estate in 1845, and built a new mansion here as an escape from court life in London and Windsor.

The Italianate design of the house, in which Albert was closely involved, became known as ‘the Osborne style’ and was imitated throughout the British empire.

There are extensive grounds to explore including a walled garden and the ornate terrace garden which is a riot of colours in spring and summer. Take a walk to the private beach where Victoria and the royal children used to swim.

Complementing the magnificent Italianate ‘royal palace by the sea’, are gardens and grounds filled with breathtaking views.

The Isle of Wight has been known as a holiday destination since the Victorian era and it is definitely worth visiting.

A – Z of Locations: H is for Hartland Quay

H is for Hartland Quay

Hartland Quay on the north coast of Devon is wild and rugged with contorted rock layers.

The wilderness of Hartland Peninsula is well worth exporing – it is a lost world of narrow roads winding their way to the coast. Visit Hartland Point, the Quay, Speke’s Mill Mouth and the glorious Hartland Abbey where paths around the estate lead to the beach and Blackpool Mill Cottage where ‘Sense and Sensibility’ was filmed. Nearby St Nectan’s Church has been a landmark for sailors for generations with its tower believed to be the highest in Devon.

It is one of the most dramatic landscapes in the UK with the highest granite cliffs overlooking Atlantic rollers. Take a walk along the coastal path here for wonderful views of the rugged coastline, astonishing folded and compressed rock formations, jutting ribs in the sand and waterfalls and inland moorland, heath and wooded valleys.

North Devon is often overlooked in favour of its southern neighbour, but it is a stunning part of the county. And much less traffic.

A – Z of Locations: G is for Grasmere

G is for Grasmere

Is there any landscape more beautiful in England than the Lake District? Known for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations. Throw in a few market towns, lakeside walks and cruises, good food and fresh air. Lots of fresh air.

It has links with the Lake Poets: William and Dorothy Wordsworth lived in Grasmere for 14 years and called it “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.”

For a walk around Grasmere click here

A – Z of Locations: F is for the Falls of Bruar

F is for the Falls of Bruar

The Falls of Bruar are a series of at least three pretty significant waterfalls on the Bruar Water in Scotland, about 8 miles from Pitlochry in the council area of Perth and Kinross. The start of the trail is behind the House of Bruar, Scotland’s most prestigious independent store and shopping outlet.

One of the Falls most famous visitors was Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, who wrote a poem about them. “The Humble Petition of Bruar Water to the Noble Duke of Atholl” was a plea to the landowner to plant trees along the banks as Burns was not impressed by the lack of trees and shrubs.

“Would then my noble master please
To grant my highest wishes
He’ll shade my banks wi’ tow’ring trees
And bonnie spreading bushes
Delighted doubly then my Lord
You’ll wander on my banks
And listen mony a grateful bird
Return you tuneful thanks”.

It is a pleasant walk through the larch and Scots pine trees alongside the river though we turned around at the middle falls as signs to the upper falls suggested it was rather precarious and we didn’t fancy a broken ankle or worse.

“This path is steep and rough in places with severe exposed drops into the gorge.”

When Burns died the duke created the forest in his memory, and landscaped the area with decorative bridges and paths.

A – Z of Locations: E is for Edinburgh

E is for Edinburgh

The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh lies on the east coast just north of the Border country with England on the Firth of Forth. Renowned for its heritage, culture, and festivals it is a compact city with a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian ‘New Town’.

Panoramic Views over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth from the Argyle Battery on Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh castle looms over the city and from there you have fantastic 360 degree views.

Panoramic Views from the Argyle Battery (Edinburgh Castle). The new Queensferry Crossing can be seen in the far distance on the left. The 1.7 miles (2.7km) structure is the longest 3-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world. It is also by far the largest to feature cables which cross mid-span.

Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh and you can find several monuments on Calton Hill – Nelson Monument (built in memory of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson) and The National Monument of Scotland (inspired by the Parthenon of Athens) which has never been completed.

Arthur’s Seat on the right and Calton Hill on the left with its range of monuments.

The city is full of things to do with historic places to visit, galleries, museums, restaurants, pubs, a Botanic Garden, the famous Princes Street Gardens, the unusual Hortus Custodiorum (Archivists’ Garden) shops and theatres. Definitely a city that you could easily spend a week and not be bored.