18 Mar 2012
West Wight on Coast Magazine
The front cover of the March Coast Magazine has a great photo of the road leading down into Freshwater Bay. It’s not surprising, as this often photographed part of the West Wight’s Military Road must be one of the most scenic drives in the UK.
Military Road into Freshwater Bay
The white cliffs of Tennyson Down make a dramatic backdrop, and Tennyson’s Monument can be seen at the very top of the 500 foot cliff. In the distance the cliffs disappear into Scratchel’s Bay and The Needles, while in the foreground the road drops down into Freshwater Bay.
It is a much used and photographed stretch of road. Jeremy clarkson and the Top Gear team filmed here a few years ago and Billy Connolly had a naked swim just along the coast at Compton Bay in the famous Mrs Brown film, much of which was based at Osbourn House. Most TV programes that feature the Isle of Wight show this view at some point.
So if you are visiting the Island this is probably a ‘must drive’ stretch of road. From the car park (and viewpoint) at St Catherines Down, just above Blackgang, the road follows a 10 mile stretch of coast finishing at Freshwater Bay. It is possible to follow the road on to Alum Bay and the Needles, but its character changes and it becomes more rural and less open, ending at the Needles Pleasure Park.
If you are staying at the Studio Apartment this view is a 10 minute walk over Afton Down. I see it most days – from the serene calm of summer mornings to autumn gales when spray from the waves that crash at the base of the cliff is blown over to clifftops. I never tire of it.
For more information about the West Wight see www.westwightholidays.co.uk