Easter Walking Break HF Freshwater Bay and the Isle of Wight

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Sorry but this event is no longer available to book. Please add yourself to the waitlist.

Friday 15 April 2022 14:30 - Monday 18 April 2022

(3 nights)

From £459.00

Listed by Spice National

Overview

After two fabulous walking trips to the Isle of Wight in 2021 we still have a big wait list to visit the island and explore its magnificent scenery with some of the best coastal walking in the south of England. The coastline is particularly varied and offers a great range of beaches, hidden coves and clifftop walks. To the north you’ll find shingle beaches and a series of shallow creeks and rivers, such as the Yar, popular with wading birds. To the south the white cliffs are more dramatic and exposed, and under constant attack from the pounding waves, this of course climaxes at the western end where we’ll visit the Needles themselves. There is also some stunning walking inland with some beautiful down-lands and picture perfect, tranquil villages. To add to this stunning walking we will be staying at HFs Freshwater Bay Country House Hotel perched high on the cliffs overlooking the idyliic bay below. With a beautiful location and excellent food it’s the perfect base for our gettaway! See you there!

Covid: This holiday will be run in accordance with Covid regulations at the time of the event - should we not be able to run the weekend due to Covid restrictions you will be entitled to a credit note or refund.

Includes

3 nights accommodation, 3 evening meals, 3 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches and 3 days of guided walks with a choice of a hard or moderate option each day.

Extras

Ferry or transport to walks. A coach or own cars may be used to get to the start of the walks

Guests: Guests & Non Members who are new to Spice are welcome to book at a £36 supplement though they may prefer to join to obtain the member rate and any deals that may be available at the time of booking/joining. Please call your local office to enquire about booking as a guest.

Location & Itinerary

Is this for me?

To allow you to choose a walk that suits you best, we will provide professional and knowledgeable guides for the 3 days of walking. We have planned the walks to be very flexible and on most days there will be places along the route where we can stop for coffee or refreshments and many of these places are also on the bus routes On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles with up to 2000ft of ascent, and a gentler walk of 6-9 miles with less ascent. However, the programme is flexible and can be altered to suit your needs. All walks are weather dependent and own transport may be taken to the walk starts..

Travel & Stay

As the name suggests the hotel sits above the beautiful Freshwater Bay and commands a wonderful aspect across the bay. The main public rooms in fact look over the cliff and the bay below. It is possible to walk down through the grounds to the cafes and pub in the village too. The bedrooms all have their individual layout and character, as befits a historic building, and are located in the main house and a cottage in the grounds. In your room you’ll find a TV with digital radio, hair dryer, towels and tea and coffee making facilities. The public rooms at Freshwater Bay House make excellent use of its seaside location with the large lounge and dining room enjoying views to the sea, as does the garden and terrace. There’s also a licensed bar, open throughout your stay, and an outdoor swimming pool, open in summer. There’s a boot and drying room to store your boots and to dry wet outdoor clothing.

We will be staying at Freshwater Bay on a full board basis, from evening meal on arrival to picnic lunch on our departure day. The food here is excellent and uses local produce wherever possible. There’s a vegetarian option at all meals and they cater for gluten-free diets. For this and any other dietary requirements, please speak to the House Manager on your arrival.

Getting There

How to get there: 

For most people the easiest crossing whether crossing on foot or with a car is from Lymington. There is also a train station at Lymington Pier. If you wish to drive to Lymington and then take the ferry, there is a pay and display car park at Lymington Pier. The cost is approx £8 per day and is to be paid on your outward journey. You cannot prebook the car park but there is a large overflow car park nearby. If you are going to take a car over it is best to fill it and car share to spread the cost. Also if you are taking a car over they recommend that you get there 30minutes before sailing. 

Ferries. 

HF have negotiated a discount with Wight Ferries to the Isle of Wight on the Lymington to Yarmouth Route. Details of how to obtain this discount will be included within your booking confirmation email. There are a number of other options with Wightlink or red funnel ferrys to get to the Isle of Wight. To keep costs down it is definitely best to car share with friends. However if you choose to go via an alternative route you will need to check out public transport options on the isle of Wight or take a car over.

Red Funnel Ferries from Southampton to West Cowes - this is often the cheapest option if you want to take your car to the Isle of Wight. www.redfunnel.co.uk

Alternatively there is a ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne or a fast ferry to Ryde www.wightlink.co.uk. These ferries are probably easier for those coming down by car from London or the south east but it is a longer journey on the Isle of Wight and a little more complicated by public transport

By car from Yarmouth Turn right out of the ferry terminal onto the A3054 and over the bridge across the River Yar. After 1 mile turn left down Pixley hill signposted to Freshwater Bay. Turn left at Freshwater Garage and continue along Afton road. At the lifeboat station turn right and follow the road round, past the Albion Hotel. The entrance to Freshwater Bay House is beyond on your left. Look out for our sign. Car parking Parking is available in the grounds of Freshwater Bay House.

By Train:

By rail The most convenient railway station to Freshwater Bay House is Lymington Pier on the mainland, which is immediately adjacent to the ferry terminal. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www. nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950. For National Rail enquiries from overseas call +44 20 7278 5240. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7278 5240).

Overall travel contacts http://www.travelline.org.uk 0871 200 22 33 

Taxi transfer from Yarmouth, you can arrange your own with Norton Taxis. HF have negotiated a preferential rate for all pre booked journeys of around £9 per taxi. To book a transfer please phone or email: Norton Taxis Tel: +44 (0)1983 752223/759955 Mobile: +44 (0)7973 120563 Email: nortontaxis@aol.com

Availability & Pricing

TypePrice
Member Double Ensuite Share£329.00Sold Out
Member Twin Ensuite Share£329.00Sold Out
Member Better Double Ensuite Share£359.00Sold Out
Member Better Twin Ensuite Share£359.00Sold Out
Member Single Ensuite£399.00Sold Out
Member Better Single Ensuite£429.00Sold Out
Member Double for Sole Ensuite£459.00Sold Out

Not enough spaces left for you? Join the waitlist

Freshwater Bay House, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, PO40 9RB

Host & Everything Else

All walks are weather dependent

You MUST have:

• Walking boots

• A Water bottle (minimum 1 litre)

• A Rucksack with a plastic liner

• Waterproofs: jacket and trousers

• A Warm hat

• Warm gloves (not leather)

• Thick walking socks

• Base layer: (thin thermal or warm T-shirt. Best not to be cotton as it gets cold when wet)

• Over layer: (warm sweater or fleece)

• Extra layer: warm top for when cold (eg. when stopped for lunch)

• Comfortable walking trousers (not jeans as they are too cold & heavy when wet)

• Personal Medication & PPE (Face Covering and Hand Sanitiser)

• Smart casual clothes for the evening.

You may wish to bring:

• Trekking Poles

• Vacuum flask (if you like hot drinks on the hill)

• Medium size Tupperware container or plastic bag, to put picnic lunch in.

• Sit mat 

• Sun glasses

• Lip salve

• Camera

• Personal first aid kit

In good weather and/or summer, you may also wish to bring

• Short trousers

• T - Shirts

• Sun hat

• Sun tan lotion

In poor weather and/or winter, you may also wish to bring:

• Gaiters

• Extra warm clothing

Maps: We recommended these maps for this event: 1:25 000: OL29: Ordnance Survey Explorer Map Isle of Wight

This event is organised and supplied by WalkWise UK Ltd, whose terms and conditions  apply and for whom your local SPICE group acts as an agent. Those booking enter into a contract directly with WalkWise UK Ltd. For availability and bookings contact your local SPICE group directly.  

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