seo ih OBPartnership AONB Wight of Isle

. Partnership AONB Wight of Isle the contact Coast Heritage defined legally this on information for – only illustrative is map This

CA Hall Town Newtown IWCAHES air the from Newtown Urban/built-up areas Urban/built-up (AONB). Please contact the AONB Unit for photographer details. photographer for Unit AONB the contact Please (AONB).

Natural History & Archaeological Society (IWNHAS) or IW AONB Partnership AONB IW or (IWNHAS) Society Archaeological & History Natural

Consider other people other Consider

County Archaeology & Historic Environment Service (IWCAHES), of Isle (IWCAHES), Service Environment Historic & Archaeology County

Photographs © Countryside Agency (CA), The National Trust (NT), Isle of Wight of Isle (NT), Trust National The (CA), Agency Countryside © Photographs

eep dogs under close control close under dogs eep K

. 42% in in 42%

ootpath at Newtown at ootpath F

home

and coastline English of 31% to protection offering

Protect plants and animals, and take your litter litter your take and animals, and plants Protect

There are 43 Heritage Coasts in & Wales & England in Coasts Heritage 43 are There

Freshwater Way Freshwater

Leave gates and property as you find them find you as property and gates Leave

Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs any follow and ahead plan - safe Be

and to SEEDA for their financial support. financial their for SEEDA to and beaches.’

Geologist and The National Trust for their assistance their for Trust National The and Geologist environmental health of the inshore waters and waters inshore the of health environmental

Shepherds Trail Shepherds ollow the Countryside Code: Countryside the ollow F

County Archaeologist, County Ecology Officer, County Officer, Ecology County Archaeologist, County Finally they aim to ‘maintain and improve the improve and ‘maintain to aim they Finally

artnership who would like to thank the Isle of Wight of Isle the thank to like would who artnership P not conflict with the conservation of the resource. the of conservation the with conflict not

ennyson Trail ennyson T

This leaflet was produced by The Isle of Wight AONB Wight of Isle The by produced was leaflet This tourism and sporting opportunities wherever they do they wherever opportunities sporting and tourism

coasts, through appropriate recreational, educational, recreational, appropriate through coasts, here. studies educational

Worsley Trail Worsley improve and enhance people’s enjoyment of these of enjoyment people’s enhance and improve

enjoyable and many organisations offer structured offer organisations many and enjoyable

C O U N C I L I C N U O C

the Isle of Wight Council Wight of Isle the

of these coastlines. There is also a secondary aim to aim secondary a also is There coastlines. these of

makes learning from this landscape so much more much so landscape this from learning makes the Countryside Agency and and Agency Countryside the

is jointly supported by by supported jointly is

definition is to protect and enhance the natural beauty natural the enhance and protect to is definition Hamstead Trail Hamstead archaeology, flora and fauna of this Heritage this of fauna and flora archaeology,

h seo ih OBPartnership AONB Wight of Isle The

landscapes and the primary aim of the Heritage Coast Heritage the of aim primary the and landscapes the rich geology, rich the – learn and listen Look,

seascapes for future generations. future for seascapes

Coasts are part of the national family of protected of family national the of part are Coasts

Coastal Path Coastal

conserve and enhance these special land and land special these enhance and conserve Along with AONB’s and National Parks, Heritage Parks, National and AONB’s with Along

The Isle of Wight AONB Partnership is working to working is Partnership AONB Wight of Isle The

ey to map to ey K

houses can be visited on foot. on visited be can houses

coastal downland, marshes or beach access roads.’ access beach or marshes downland, coastal

remains of the medieval town its streets and streets its town medieval the of remains

their special qualities and character. and qualities special their an agreed inland boundary taking in, for example, for in, taking boundary inland agreed an

the Black Death and French raids. The earthwork The raids. French and Death Black the

family of protected landscapes recognised for recognised landscapes protected of family which means that they also ‘have also they that means which defined’ ‘completely

in the 14th Century due to environmental change, environmental to due Century 14th the in

miles of Heritage Coast, both part of the national the of part both Coast, Heritage of miles the Tennyson and Hamstead Heritage Coasts are Coasts Heritage Hamstead and Tennyson the

The medieval port of Newtown was abandoned was Newtown of port medieval The

NT Newtown Outstanding Natural Beauty, including over 50 over including Beauty, Natural Outstanding

and estuary from through to Thorness. Both Thorness. to through Bouldnor from estuary and

Ningwood

Over half the Isle of Wight is an Area of Area an is Wight of Isle the half Over Shalfleet encompasses woodland encompasses Coast Heritage Hamstead

Chine at . To the north the more serene more the north the To Totland. at Chine

el: 01983 823855 01983 el: T stretches from Steephill, in , through to Widdick to through Ventnor, in Steephill, from stretches

Isle of Wight PO30 5WB PO30 Wight of Isle

nnyson Heritage Coast Heritage nnyson Te dramatic the south the

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Monks Brook, Newport Brook, Monks about 50% of the Island’s coastline were defined. In defined. were coastline Island’s the of 50% about

Old Old

St Cross Business Park Business Cross St In 1973, two areas of Heritage Coast, amounting to amounting Coast, Heritage of areas two 1973, In

Innovation Centre Innovation

Isle of Wight AONB Partnership AONB Wight of Isle stretches of Heritage Coast. Coast. Heritage of stretches

of the Island, that we have two very contrasting very two have we that Island, the of

It is a true reflection of the outstanding nature of much of nature outstanding the of reflection true a is It

on norwbie: www.wightaonb.org.uk : website our on found Cranmore noted for their beauty, tranquility and scientific interest. scientific and tranquility beauty, their for noted

Additional information and useful contacts can be can contacts useful and information Additional

undeveloped stretches of coastline that are particularly are that coastline of stretches undeveloped

oods W

stretches of the Country’s most natural and natural most Country’s the of stretches

ight Wildlife (01983) 533180 (01983) Wildlife ight W

Bouldnor The term ‘Heritage Coast’ has been given to those to given been has Coast’ ‘Heritage term The

ourist Information Centres (01983) 813818 (01983) Centres Information ourist T

Coastal Visitor Centre, Ventnor (01983) 857221 (01983) Ventnor Centre, Visitor Coastal

Heritage Coasts? Heritage

Isle of Wight Tourism (01983) 813813 (01983) Tourism Wight of Isle

National Trust (01983) 741020 (01983) Trust National

Dinosaur Isle (01983) 404344 404344 (01983) Isle Dinosaur

Bouldnor Cliffs Bouldnor Newtown

What are What

& Historic Environment Service (01983) 823810 823810 (01983) Service Environment Historic &

Isle of Wight County Archaeological County Wight of Isle

orchfield P

IW Council - Countryside Section (01983) 823893 (01983) Section Countryside - Council IW

Isle of Wight AONB Partnership (01983) 823855 (01983) Partnership AONB Wight of Isle

Lake Hamstead

Useful Contacts Useful

Clamerkin Clamerkin

remains are known from Bouldnor, Cranmore and Cranmore Bouldnor, from known are remains

Centres. River

Hamstead Ledge Hamstead

visit England over 425,000 years ago. Prehistoric ago. years 425,000 over England visit

and places to park is available at all Tourist Information Tourist all at available is park to places and

Newtown Heritage Coast was used by the first humans to humans first the by used was Coast Heritage

accessible. Information on public transport services transport public on Information accessible.

Once part of the ancient river floodplain, this floodplain, river ancient the of part Once

and into the future. Both Heritage Coasts are very are Coasts Heritage Both future. the into and Tennyson testament to their importance for the nation both now both nation the for importance their to testament

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), further (AONB), Beauty Natural Outstanding of Area

CA River Newtown to Entrance

No wonder that both coasts fall within the Isle of Wight of Isle the within fall coasts both that wonder No

with a ripple pattern on one surface. one on pattern ripple a with

ood W

urtle shell is either smooth on both surfaces or surfaces both on smooth either is shell urtle T

Chines and lighthouses. and Chines Hamstead

Burnt & Thorness Alligator scutes have round holes in them. in holes round have scutes Alligator habitats; smugglers and memories of past Islanders; past of memories and smugglers habitats;

coastline and unspoilt beaches; important wildlife important beaches; unspoilt and coastline

rocks are very common on the beach. the on common very are rocks Heritage Coasts dinosaur footprints at Brook Bay; miles of undeveloped of miles Bay; Brook at footprints dinosaur

38 Million year old shells, washed out from the from out washed shells, old year Million 38

cliffs; a fossil rich coastline including the well known well the including coastline rich fossil a cliffs;

iconic Needles chalk stacks and other multi-coloured other and stacks chalk Needles iconic

to the English Channel; a special quality of light; the light; of quality special a Channel; English the to AONB Ledge Hamstead NT walks watching Bird

breathtaking, with an open aspect; long distance views distance long aspect; open an with breathtaking,

In marked contrast, the Tennyson Heritage Coast is Coast Heritage Tennyson the contrast, marked In

Thorness Bay Thorness

nnyson Heritage Coast Heritage nnyson Te

within this area. this within

rare species such as red squirrels. red as such species rare

Newtown and its National Nature Reserve also fall also Reserve Nature National its and Newtown

contain a huge biodiversity with many nationally many with biodiversity huge a contain

squirrels and migratory birds. The ancient town of town ancient The birds. migratory and squirrels

Some of the woodland is ancient and the woods the and ancient is woodland the of Some

beautiful area offers a haven for wildlife including red including wildlife for haven a offers area beautiful

wooded hinterland and gently sloping soft cliffs, this cliffs, soft sloping gently and hinterland wooded

superb natural resource for learning. for resource natural superb

unaffected by human activities. human by unaffected

secretive coastline with inlets, estuaries and creeks; and estuaries inlets, with coastline secretive

that supports a wide range of wildlife and is also a also is and wildlife of range wide a supports that

in the mud of Newtown Harbour is relatively is Harbour Newtown of mud the in

Cowes to Bouldnor near Yarmouth. A tranquil and tranquil A Yarmouth. near Bouldnor to

The salt marsh at Newtown is a valuable habitat valuable a is Newtown at marsh salt The

A home to 95 different species, suggests that life that suggests species, different 95 to home A

west of the Isle of Wight running from Thorness near Thorness from running Wight of Isle the of west

The Hamstead Heritage Coast is situated on the north the on situated is Coast Heritage Hamstead The

feed on a diet of insects, worms and crustaceans. and worms insects, of diet a on feed

CA Newtown at causeway ooden W Bouldnor Cliffs Cliffs Bouldnor CA

Birds such as teal, curlew, snipe and little egrets little and snipe curlew, teal, as such Birds

Hamstead Heritage Coast Heritage Hamstead

teeth and bones. and teeth

through the Heritage Coast accolade. accolade. Coast Heritage the through

shell, after you have found these start looking for looking start these found have you after shell,

England and Wales have been nationally recognised nationally been have Wales and England

gravel. Look for flat, black coloured pieces of turtle of pieces coloured black flat, for Look gravel.

The best and most valued parts of the coastlines of coastlines the of parts valued most and best The

ossils are easy to find amongst the beach the amongst find to easy are ossils F

Heritage Coasts Heritage fires or barbeques. or fires

this – please stay on the paths and avoid lighting avoid and paths the on stay please – this

here are susceptible to disturbance, please respect please disturbance, to susceptible are here

Hamstead

landscape – the wildlife and habitats that thrive that habitats and wildlife the – landscape

The wildlife reflects the tranquil nature of the of nature tranquil the reflects wildlife The

Hamstead ennyson & ennyson T

Isle of Wight AONB Partnership Key to map Get out and Explore....Rambling, Walking, Horse Tennyson Riding, Mountain Biking... Coastal path The Island’s extensive Rights of Way network, offers the walker ample opportunity to get away from it all Hamstead Trail In the land of the Glanville Fritillary – wildlife and enjoy the stunning views. For those wanting to residents of the Tennyson Heritage Coast habitats step up the pace on two wheels or four legs, the need to be more adaptable than their Hamstead byways and bridleways combined with a selection Worsley Trail neighbours. Thriving in the sunny open aspect of of quiet roads can be as challenging or relaxing as this coastline they rely upon the changes that the you choose. Tennyson Trail natural coastal erosion processes bring. Down on the beach ...Fossil hunting, Shepherds Trail What can we find... Dinosaurs, probably beachcombing, rock pooling, sandcastles, footprints and perhaps ammonites and lobsters beach games, following Dinosaurs footprints... further south. Tennyson Monument CA Glanville Fritillary butterflies IWNHAS There are miles of varied beaches from sand to Freshwater Way shingle to enjoy and explore. Footpath at Newtown Take to the Sea... surfing, kite-boarding, fishing - Freshwater from the beach & out in a boat ...from extreme Widdick water sports to the more traditional craft of angling Urban/built-up areas To t l and Chine Down Long Stone CA this Heritage Coast can cover it all.

Headon Take to the Skies ...Para-gliding, hang-gliding, Warren Freshwater kite flying... the location and climate offers frequent opportunities to ride the thermals or keep Bay your feet on terra firma and let the breeze do the Alum work. Bay Look to the skies – The clear ‘Dark Skies’ of much of this coast offer plenty of opportunity at night for Compton star-gazing. Forest Be inspired – take in the atmosphere of the Tennyson Brook dramatic landscape views and follow Turner, The Monument Tennyson and Cameron by capturing it through Needles drawing, painting, poetry or camera. Mottistone Compton Beach CA Shippards Chine Brighstone Brook Natural casts of footprints of dinosaurs which Chine lived here 125 million years ago.

Chilton Chine Grange Chine

Chines are the remains of ancient river valleys, now mostly small gullies leading down to the sea. Wroxall The term ‘chine’ is only used on the Isle of Wight Green Dinosaur footprint AONB Shepherd’s Chine AONB

The chalk was laid down in a deep sea, which Whitwell covered Europe between 96 and 65 million years Chale ago. Ventnor Bones of dinosaurs are found on this coast, look Whale amongst the pebbles for pieces. Bones are usually Chine black-coloured, they will most likely have a honey- comb structure, filled in with white coloured St Lawrence minerals. Walk through the prehistoric burial landscapes on Afton Down using the Tennyson Trail or visit the Medieval Lighthouse and Oratory for the quiet If you look amongst the pebbles on the beach Steephill you might be lucky enough to find fossil shells. enjoyment and extensive views of this dramatic Undercliff coastline. Blackgang Cove Most of the pebbles on the beach are flint. Flint Chine comes from the Chalk and is made of microscopic needles from fossil sponges that lived millions of St Catherine’s years ago. Oratory

The coal you see on the beach is the remains of The Coastal Path CA ‘Pepperpot’ St Catherine’s Point trees that grew here 125 million years ago.

From the Palaeolithic (425,000 years ago) to the Useful Tips for Fossil Hunting: Bronze Age (4,000 years ago), this Heritage Coast Check for permission to collect fossils has been used by our prehistoric ancestors who Check Tide Times have left huge ceremonial landscapes of burial Avoid unstable cliffs mounds on the chalk ridge and its downlands. Collect loose fossils only Even the medieval lighthouse at St Catherine’s Only collect what you need Down was built next to a Bronze Age burial mound. Seek identifications from professional The nearby Medieval Oratory (place of prayer) was organisations built as a place of quiet contemplation of the Avoid leaving litter coastal landscape over 700 years ago. Fossil hunting on Compton Beach CA St Catherine’s Oratory NT The lighthouse at St Catherine’s Point CA Steephill Cove AONB

This map is illustrative only – for information on this legally defined Heritage Coast contact the Isle of Wight AONB Partnership.