Freshwater On Foot

First-time coastal winter walker Madeleine Barber explores the Isle of Wight from a pedestrian perspective.

I could make a run for it. There’s a wispy, leafless line of trees around 15 metres to my right that would provide partial shelter. It’s more preferable than the sheer drop of a cliff-face to my left, anyway. Three fresh-faced calves are bounding towards my group, their brown skin fluffy, while their mothers watch from afar projecting protective glares and bellowing ‘moooo’. Our walk leader, Martin, breezes ahead without a worry and I follow closely, trying not to let my heart leap out of my chest. It’s clear I’m not accustomed to off-road walking.

We’re only 30 minutes into our seven-mile walking route along the west coast of the Isle of Wight and, as a first-time coastal winter walker, I’m already thrilled by the close proximity to nature leaving the warmth of the car has provided. Starting out from Freshwater Bay House on a walking weekend with HF Holidays, my small group has visited Dimbola Lodge – the home of celebrated Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron and host to Jimi Hendrix memorial gardens – and stepped inside 1908-built St Agnes Church, which is the island’s only thatched place of prayer. Now, a herd of cows stands between me and the peak of Tennyson Down. I discover this is a common encounter and nothing to worry about, so scuttle past quickly (though not quite without caution).

TENNYSON TALES