seo ih OBPartnership AONB Wight of Isle Hamstead Tennyson & ɀ The wildlife reflects the tranquil nature of the landscape – the wildlife and habitats that thrive Hamstead here are susceptible to disturbance, please respect this – please stay on the paths and avoid lighting fires or barbeques. Heritage Coasts ɀ Fossils are easy to find amongst the beach gravel. Look for flat, black coloured pieces of turtle The best and most valued parts of the coastlines of shell, after you have found these start looking for England and Wales have been nationally recognised teeth and bones. through the Heritage Coast accolade. ɀ Hamstead Heritage Coast Birds such as teal, curlew, snipe and little egrets Bouldnor Cliffs CA Wooden causeway at Newtown CA feed on a diet of insects, worms and crustaceans. The Hamstead Heritage Coast is situated on the north ɀ west of the Isle of Wight running from Thorness near A home to 95 different species, suggests that life ɀ The salt marsh at Newtown is a valuable habitat Cowes to Bouldnor near Yarmouth. A tranquil and in the mud of Newtown Harbour is relatively that supports a wide range of wildlife and is also a secretive coastline with inlets, estuaries and creeks; unaffected by human activities. superb natural resource for learning. wooded hinterland and gently sloping soft cliffs, this ɀ Some of the woodland is ancient and the woods beautiful area offers a haven for wildlife including red contain a huge biodiversity with many nationally squirrels and migratory birds. The ancient town of rare species such as red squirrels. Newtown and its National Nature Reserve also fall within this area. Tennyson Heritage Coast Thorness Bay In marked contrast, the Tennyson Heritage Coast is breathtaking, with an open aspect; long distance views Hamstead Ledge AONB Bird watching walks NT to the English Channel; a special quality of light; the iconic Needles chalk stacks and other multi-coloured cliffs; a fossil rich coastline including the well known ɀ 38 Million year old shells, washed out from the dinosaur footprints at Brook Bay; miles of undeveloped Heritage Coasts Heritage rocks are very common on the beach. coastline and unspoilt beaches; important wildlife ɀ Alligator scutes have round holes in them. Thorness habitats; smugglers and memories of past Islanders; & Burnt Hamstead Chines and lighthouses. ɀ Turtle shell is either smooth on both surfaces or Wood with a ripple pattern on one surface. Entrance to Newtown River CA No wonder that both coasts fall within the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), further testament to their importance for the nation both now ennyson ennyson T and into the future. Both Heritage Coasts are very ɀ Once part of the ancient river floodplain, this accessible. Information on public transport services Heritage Coast was used by the first humans to Newtown and places to park is available at all Tourist Information visit England over 425,000 years ago. Prehistoric Hamstead Ledge River Centres. remains are known from Bouldnor, Cranmore and Clamerkin Hamstead Lake Useful Contacts Isle of Wight AONB Partnership (01983) 823855 Porchfield IW Council - Countryside Section (01983) 823893 Isle of Wight County Archaeological What are & Historic Environment Service (01983) 823810 Bouldnor Cliffs Newtown Dinosaur Isle (01983) 404344 National Trust (01983) 741020 Heritage Coasts? Isle of Wight Tourism (01983) 813813 Coastal Visitor Centre, Ventnor (01983) 857221 Tourist Information Centres (01983) 813818 The term ‘Heritage Coast’ has been given to those Bouldnor Wight Wildlife (01983) 533180 stretches of the Country’s most natural and Woods undeveloped stretches of coastline that are particularly Additional information and useful contacts can be noted for their beauty, tranquility and scientific interest. Cranmore found on our website : www.wightaonb.org.uk It is a true reflection of the outstanding nature of much of the Island, that we have two very contrasting stretches of Heritage Coast. Isle of Wight AONB Partnership Innovation Centre In 1973, two areas of Heritage Coast, amounting to Old St Cross Business Park about 50% of the Island’s coastline were defined. In Town Hall Monks Brook, Newport the south the dramatic Tennyson Heritage Coast Isle of Wight PO30 5WB stretches from Steephill, in Ventnor, through to Widdick Tel: 01983 823855 Chine at Totland. To the north the more serene Hamstead Heritage Coast encompasses woodland Shalfleet Over half the Isle of Wight is an Area of and estuary from Bouldnor through to Thorness. Both Ningwood ɀ The medieval port of Newtown was abandoned Newtown NT Outstanding Natural Beauty, including over 50 the Tennyson and Hamstead Heritage Coasts are in the 14th Century due to environmental change, miles of Heritage Coast, both part of the national ‘completely defined’ which means that they also ‘have the Black Death and French raids. The earthwork family of protected landscapes recognised for an agreed inland boundary taking in, for example, remains of the medieval town its streets and their special qualities and character. coastal downland, marshes or beach access roads.’ houses can be visited on foot. Key to map The Isle of Wight AONB Partnership is working to Along with AONB’s and National Parks, Heritage Coastal Path conserve and enhance these special land and Coasts are part of the national family of protected seascapes for future generations. landscapes and the primary aim of the Heritage Coast Look, listen and learn – the rich geology, archaeology, flora and fauna of this Heritage Coast The Isle of Wight AONB Partnership definition is to protect and enhance the natural beauty Hamstead Trail is jointly supported by of these coastlines. There is also a secondary aim to makes learning from this landscape so much more the Countryside Agency and the Isle of Wight Council enjoyable and many organisations offer structured C O U N C I L improve and enhance people’s enjoyment of these Worsley Trail coasts, through appropriate recreational, educational, educational studies here. tourism and sporting opportunities wherever they do This leaflet was produced by The Isle of Wight AONB Tennyson Trail not conflict with the conservation of the resource. Partnership who would like to thank the Isle of Wight Finally they aim to ‘maintain and improve the County Archaeologist, County Ecology Officer, County environmental health of the inshore waters and Follow the Countryside Code: Shepherds Trail Geologist and The National Trust for their assistance beaches.’ ɀ Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs and to SEEDA for their financial support. ɀ Leave gates and property as you find them Freshwater Way There are 43 Heritage Coasts in England & Wales ɀ Protect plants and animals, and take your litter offering protection to 31% of English coastline and home ɀ Footpath at Newtown 42% in Wales. Keep dogs under close control Photographs © Countryside Agency (CA), The National Trust (NT), Isle of Wight ɀ County Archaeology & Historic Environment Service (IWCAHES), Isle of Wight Consider other people Natural History & Archaeological Society (IWNHAS) or IW AONB Partnership Newtown from the air IWCAHES Newtown Town Hall CA Urban/built-up areas (AONB). Please contact the AONB Unit for photographer details. Isle of Wight AONB Partnership This map is illustrative only – for information on this legally defined Heritage Coast contact the 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 ɀ 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, ɀ 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 Mottistone 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 Brighstone 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 Rookley Chine Brighstone Brook Shorwell ɀ Natural casts of footprints of dinosaurs which Chine lived here 125 million years ago. Godshill Chilton Chine Grange Chine ɀ 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 Chale Green Dinosaur footprint AONB Shepherd’s Chine The Needles AONB ɀ The chalk was laid down in a deep sea, which Whitwell covered Europe between 96 and 65 million years Chale ago.