Bembridge to Sandown Coastal

7 miles · Moderate

The coastal walk from Bembridge to Sandown is one of the finest sections of the Isle of Wight Coastal Path, a seven-mile route that takes in the dramatic chalk cliffs of Culver Down, the wide sweep of Sandown Bay and some of the best views on the island. It is graded as moderate primarily because of the steep climb over Culver Down in the middle section. The rest of the walk is largely flat or gently undulating.

The walk begins in Bembridge, a sailing village on the island's eastern tip. Heading south from the village, the path passes the RNLI lifeboat station at the end of Bembridge Ledge, one of the most exposed lifeboat stations on the south coast. The rocky ledge extends far offshore at low tide and is a notable hazard to navigation. From here the path turns west and begins to climb.

The ascent of Culver Down is the physical highlight of the walk. The chalk cliff rises steeply from sea level to over 300 feet, and the path switchbacks up the face before emerging onto the grassy summit. At the top stands the Yarborough Monument, an obelisk erected in memory of the first commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron. The views from here are superb. To the north, the Solent stretches away towards Portsmouth and the mainland. To the south, the entire sweep of Sandown Bay curves away for miles, with the town of Sandown visible at the far end and the dark cliffs of Shanklin and Luccombe beyond.

The chalk on Culver Down is the same formation that creates The Needles at the western tip of the island. The two chalk ridges were once connected, running right across the island, but erosion has worn away the softer rocks between, leaving the two headlands as isolated outposts. The cliff face at Culver is home to nesting fulmars, herring gulls and occasionally peregrine falcons, and in spring the ledges are busy with breeding birds.

Descending from Culver Down to Yaverland, the path drops steeply via steps and a zigzag track. Care is needed here, as the chalk can be slippery when wet. At the bottom, the route reaches Yaverland Beach and the character of the walk changes completely. From here to Sandown, the path follows the flat esplanade along the back of the beach, an easy stroll of about two miles on tarmac and paving.

Yaverland is worth pausing at. The Isle of Wight Zoo is housed in a Victorian fort just behind the beach, and the rocks on the foreshore contain dinosaur footprints that are periodically exposed by erosion. The Dinosaur Isle museum is a short distance further along the esplanade.

The esplanade walk into Sandown passes the Yaverland car park and then runs alongside the golden sand of Sandown Bay. In summer this section is lively, with swimmers, surfers and families on the beach. In winter it can be wonderfully quiet, with just the sound of the waves and the occasional dog walker for company.

The walk ends at Sandown Pier, where there are cafes, pubs and the railway station for a train back to Ryde or onward to Shanklin. Buses also run to Bembridge, allowing the walk to be done as a one-way route with public transport at both ends. Allow three to four hours for the walk, more if you plan to linger on Culver Down or explore the Yaverland foreshore.

Highlights

• Culver Down chalk cliffs
• Yarborough Monument
• Bembridge RNLI lifeboat station
• Dinosaur footprints at Yaverland
• Panoramic Sandown Bay views