Coast Survey Stretch 07 Freshwater Bay LBS to Yarmouth Bridge Overview map of the stretch Introduction This section includes Headon Warren and West High Down SSSI, Colwell Bay SSSI and part of Yar Estuary. There are notable heritage sites including Tennyson Monument, Fort Redoubt, Fort Victoria, Fort Albert, Needles Old and New Batteries. This length of coast forms the West Wight promontory leading from Freshwater to the iconic Needles rocks and Lighthouse. Much of this land is open access downland owned by the National Trust. The shore line is formed by high white chalk cliffs, The path rises to the Tennyson Monument at 150m above sea level. On the north of the promontory sits Alum Bay where the iconic coloured sands of Alum cliff face rises above a small stone and sand bay. Positioned at the top of this cliff is the Needles Amusement Park with its large car park. Headon Warren is a rare area of Island heathland with heather and gorse.
Colwell Bay is an important slipping cliff area. There are coastal holiday chalets. The 30 to 35 m high eroding soil and clay cliffs either side of the residential Fort Albert are a major feature along this part of the coast. This section of coast also takes in the Fort Victoria Country Park, which is woodland which slopes down to the shore, and the flatter coast line between Fort Victoria and Yarmouth.
Key map references- 1 SZ 3471 8573 2 SZ 3455 8566 3 SZ 3441 8567 4 SZ 3420 8550 5 SZ 3395 8555 6 SZ 3249 8533 Ref Location Land type/use, Path information, historic sites & ancient monuments 7.1 1 to 2 The proposed route follows the esplanade and follows footpath F 59 to the left of Albion Hotel and towards a small bay beneath Fort Redoubt and steps on the right. Photos and detail maps Freshwater Bay, with Albion Hotel ahead and Fort Redoubt on the left
7.2 2-3 The steps lead to HF Holiday Centre with The Dandelion Café. The route follows the private road to a car park which has two gates leading to another road Path F50. The public are encouraged to enter HF and use the café/toilets 7.3 3 to 4 F50 has public toilets at the main road and a gate giving an optional coastal path route up the down. The proposed route proceeds past the gate leading to the existing coastal path and closer to the coast. Here there are dramatic views of Watcombe Bay. Near Fort Redoubt, path leads to Watcombe Bay or existing Coastal Path 7.4 4 to 5 The route rise to a convergence of paths, rejoining the coastal path at F49 and also F72, the start of access land. Convergence of the proposed route, F50 and F72 7.5 5 to 6 The route follows the southern Highdown Cliffs, although there are many well trodden paths on this access land. As the route rises towards Tennyson Monument, there are panoramic views to the Yar estuary, the Solent and towards St Catherine s Down. Panoramic view looking east
Key map references- 7 SZ 3188 8532 8 SZ 3100 8507 9 SZ 3008 8470 10 SZ 2994 8474 11 SZ 2985 8475 12 SZ 3023 8494 13 SZ 2965 8489 14 SZ 3023 8494 15 SZ 3072 8525 16 SZ 3065 8548 17 SZ 3071 8549 18 SZ 3068 8557 Ref Location Land type/use and Path information 7.6 6 to 15 Open access downland to a shoreline of high white chalk cliffs with no practical access to the base of the cliffs and no exposed shore at high tide. All this area is classified as AONB, Heritage Coast and SSSI. (IOW Downs SAC - UK 0016254) Photos and detail maps West side of Tennyson Down
7.7 6 to 9 There are three routes down from Tennyson monument and over West High Down. One is the existing coastal path (T25/T24) that keeps to the top of West high down ridge and thus affords panoramic views over the Solent and the Channel. Two other nondefinitive paths run either side of a fence running parallel with the cliff edge. Neither of these paths provide views north to the Solent and the narrow path between the fence and the cliff edge in places slopes steeply down towards the cliff and has fissures indicating potential future land slips. Hence the existing coastal path line is recommended. Paths near cliff edge 7.8 7 and 9 A Ramblers gate is installed through the fence line at (7). A replica Beacon is positioned adjacent to this gate. A Bowl Barrow (1010510) is at SZ3067 8495. A radio mast is installed just west of a Ramblers gate through the fence line at (9). Beacon and Gate(7) A non- definitive path runs through gate (9) south of the radio mast and down a slope to a concrete road that used to be part of the rocket test site. Radio Mast and Gate(9)
7.9 10 Widening plus improved grading or suitable steps are desirable for part of this path. New Battery and High Downs Test Site (listed 1422839) Steep section of path 7.10 11 and 12 This route provides access to a Needles view point (11) and the New Battery site (12). Needles lighthouse listed grade 2 (1291000) SZ 2993 8473. The Needles from view point(11) 7.11 12 to 13 An existing concrete path and set of steps leads to the Old Needles Battery (13) (grade 2 listed 1422839). Path to Old Battery 7.12 13 through 14 to 15 A narrow tarmac drive with a path alongside (nondefinitive/t24a) runs east to Alum Bay. This has restricted vehicle access. In season, an open top double decker bus uses this road every 30 minutes Alum Cliffs
7.13 15 It is likely that an open access strip behind the 'Nick Nack' Bungalow could provide an alternative path route. Behind 'Nick Nack' Bungalow 7.14 15 to 16 to 17 to 18 The land above Alum Bay is occupied by the Needles Amusement Park and its large car park. This provides PCs and cafe facilities. The existing coastal path (T24a) follows an often congested road providing access to a coach park, car park and bus terminal. It then follows an existing ROW (T23) through the amusement park to the top of steps (17) leading down to Alum Bay Chine (18). An alternative route takes a path alongside the B3322 and turns left down the chine without using the steps. It is recommended that the best new coastal path route could run behind the bungalow at (15), along the west car park perimeter, around the back of the Needles Park at (16) to meet the top of the steps at (17). A memorial to Marconi is located by the car park (SZ30626 85478). Needles Amusement Park
Key map references- 18 SZ 3068 8557 19 SZ 3087 8554 20 SZ 3072 8578 21 SZ 3102 8589 22 SZ 3160 8605 23 SZ 3191 8641 24 SZ 3203 8662 25 SZ 3278 8791 Reference Location Land type/use and Path information 7.15 18 to 20 Recommend coast path follows footpaths from Alum Chine up to former Hatherwood Battery at Headon Warren. Unfortunately cliffs are too susceptible to erosion and rapid change for the path to descend to the beach at Alum Chine and immediately rise up to the Warren around the back on the house on the cliff. The current path winds with a rocky surface underfoot - this will need widening as it is narrow in many places. The path is situated between the pitch and putt course, and on the landward side there are grazing fields. Photos and detail maps Paths ascending Headon Warren
7.16 20-21 Recommend new coast path deviates from current path up on an open headland on the Warren as this allows for wide coastal panoramic and place of interest with old battery gun fixture. Now on National Trust owned access land, the current coastal route turns east keeping the sea hidden. To the seaward edge are cliffs susceptible to movement. Landward edge continues to grazing farmland perimeter. From here the route should ascend east on to the distinct chalk edge of the warren. The ridge is eroded, but footfall ensures a wide chalky path cuts through the heather and allows a constant view across the Solent. The current path blocks this view, is narrow and susceptible to flooding. The new proposed route then meets with the current path at the cusp of the ridge along the Warren. 7.17 21-24 Recommend the coast path follows the current way until it reaches the back of housing near point 23 on the map. Along the way the path gives great views seawards, and either side the path has plenty of open access features and opportunity for exploration such as the burial site at the peak of the Warren as well as dense lowland woodland. The current route should be widened as gorse and bracken encroach on the path frequently. From 22 to 23, the current path backs on to some houses and the surface needs widening. Vegetation on the seaward edge is very high in places Views of The Needles from Hatherwood battery Open views on the descent from Headon Warren
and could be cut back to maintain sea views. The path continues along Cliff Road to join T31 at Widdick Chine. The path and current stairs to Totland beach are slippery and will fall into disrepair over time. Work is needed to improve this part of the path. Poor condition of staircase at Widdick Chine 7.18 24-25 Current route follows promenade with landward edge absorbing cliffs and seaward edge being shingle beach and coastal defences. Along the way landslips are a problem and protection and maintenance should continue along this stretch. Path should be clear as it passed around car parks for safety. Cliffs clearly unstable in places but should be accessible and open with obvious warning signs. Promenade at Totland Bay passes old lifeboat station. New path created following a landslip in 2012
Colwell Chine to Fort Albert (Stretch 07) 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 Key map references- 25 SZ 3271 8787 27 SZ 3286 8804 28 SZ 3301 8825 29 SZ 3321 8837 30 SZ 3309 8861 31 SZ 3310 8877 32 SZ 3333 8920 07.19 25 to 27 From the cafe', parking and public convenience facilities at Colwell Chine (25) the route follows the promenade around Colwell Bay. The last section of the promenade is not surfaced and the path requires upgrading. Where the promenade finishes the high tide laps the bottom of a 20m high soil and clay cliff. Towards the end of the promenade at (27) a new slanting path needs to be established rising up a 16m shrub bank to the N.West of a large cliff top residence, then along grazing land at the top of the cliff. Un surfaced promenade and shrub bank Cliff Top property
07.20 26 The current coast path follows F13a 1/2 km inland to join the busy A3054, then along F10 around Brambles Farm to the Brambles holiday chalets. Current A3054 route 07.21 28 Where the cliff top field meets Brambles Chine the best route passes around the end of a row of holiday bungalows to join the track F13 along the chine and F10-9 into Brambles holiday chalets. If this is not feasible then the route would need to pass along the access road to the south of the bungalows to join F10. Ground between Bungalows and shore 07.22 28 to 30 North of Brambles Chine two continuous rows of Brambles holiday chalets end at the cliff edge. Hence it is not feasible for the route to follow the top of the cliff at these points. It will therefore be necessary for the route to pass through the centre of the holiday centre to rejoin the top of the cliff on the edge of a large recreation area at waypoint (30). Chalet at cliff edge Route through chalets Route across recreational area
7.23 30 to 32 The 20-35m soil and clay cliffs either side of the Fort Albert apartment block are continuously eroding down to the high tide level. This makes it impractical to establish a route near the fort. Hence the recommended route runs along the cliff top over heath land from (30) to (31) then follows an existing path and access road running east of Linstone chalets to reach the viewpoint in Victoria country park over looking Hurst Castle on the other side of the Solent. Cliff south of Fort Albert Path past Linstone chalets From the viewpoint at Fort Victoria looking towards Hurst Castle
Key map references- 33 SZ 3327 8910 34 SZ 3330 8918 35 SZ 3338 8925 36 SZ 3385 8980 37 SZ 3410 8980 38 SZ 3455 8976 39 SZ 3470 8964 40 SZ 3515 8955 Ref Location Land type/use and Path information 7.24 33 From the north side of Fort Albert, it is not possible to get closer to the coast than the existing coast path allows. Woodland part of Fort Victoria Country Park. Photos and detail maps 7.25 34 to 36 (A) Within Fort Victoria Country Park (woodland), there is a good existing coast path, which features interesting art and has good accessibility. There are limited coastal views. Artwork in the Park
7.26 34 to 36 (OptionB) An alternative would be to take a higher path at the top of the Park. There are good views to the south east and some coastal views to the north west. View to south east from high path 7.27 35 to 36 (Option C) There are also paths below the existing coast path. There is evidence of erosion here so the path would need to be situated above the area affected. There are good coastal views, including of Fort Albert. Evidence of erosion an land slips
Map shows alternative options B and C Good surface above line of erosion 7.28 36 to 37 Toilets, café, shops at Fort Victoria. Good existing path along shore line.
7.29 37 to 39 Path should be adjacent to or on beach (above tideline). Most of path is good a combination of hard surface and solid shingle beach, but some small areas are loose shingle (at 5 and 6) and would benefit from an alternative surface. There is some scrubland (at 5) that could be repurposed to form a nice path. There are cafés at 5. Shingle beach 7.30 39 to 40 Alongside road. There isn t an alternative route. There is a wide footway.
Summary of Opportunities and Access Issues (a) There are historic monuments on or close to this stretch a. Tennyson Beacon grade 2 b. Fort Redoubt grade 2 c. Long mortuary enclosure 800m west of Freshwater Bay House d. Needles New Battery grade 2 e. Needles Old Battery grade2 f. Hatherwood Battery g. Bronze Age Burial Mound h. Fort Victoria grade2 (b) There is an opportunity to take a coastal route through HF Centre. As a tourist facility specialising in walking holidays, we feel that there is a good chance that they would welcome access through their site. The alternative route is to follow the existing coastal path along the main road and the road leading to Fort Redoubt. (c) In stormy weather, path F59 may not be usable, and the alternative route described in (b) shown be made available. (d) Re route the coastal path using existing open access paths at the end of the promontory to provide views of the Needles and to pass the New and Old Battery sites. (e) Upgrade the existing non- definitive path leading to the Needles view point. (f) Provide a new path between Alum Bay cliff top and the back of the 'Knick Knack' bungalow. (g) Continue the new path between the Alum Bay cliff top and Needles Park to avoid a busy and congested access road. (h) Path should ascend to Hatherwood Battery mount on Headland Warren to take in the Needles view (i) Path should follow ridge of the Warren from the old battery mount up on to the top of the headland (j) Eliminate the current coast path inland diversion via A3054 by establishing a new path up from Colwell promenade to cliff top grazing fields (27 to 28). (k) Establish a new route along the cliff top (30 to 31) north of Brambles holiday chalets with views over Colwell Bay. (l) Choose best Path to go through the Park- the current path is option A. Option C is closer to the coast and has good views of Fort Albert and across the Solent. There is access to the beach here. (m) By bringing the path down in front of Fort Victoria and along the coast, businesses at Fort Victoria will benefit and a small amount of road walking is removed.