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Archiver > ISLE-OF-WIGHT > 1998-11 > 0910750349


From: Barry Drinkle <>
Subject: Isle-of-Wight Holiday 1912 #18
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 21:12:29 -0500


Bembridge Down, (343 feet) for the sake of the view, hardly equalled in
the
Island, unless it be at Freshwater. The twin towns of Sandown and
Shanklin, and the spacious bay on which they stand, terminated at
the other extremity by bluff Dunnose, are seen to special advantage.
Looking in a northerly direction, a great part of the Solent and of
the Hampshire coast is clearly see. Almost at one's feet is Bembridge,
with numbers of red and white-sailed yachts skimming the
bay; while farther west the lofty spire of Ryde Parish Church
is seen above the foliage. Conspicuous near the summit of
the Down is the Yarborough Obelisk, a memorial of the
first earl of that name, to whose initiative the Royal Yacht
Squadron owes its existence.
The Squadron was founded, by the way, for more serious objects
than that of summer yachting in the waters of the Isle of Wight. It
possessed several yachts fitted as Men-of-war, and one of the most
efficient of these was Lord Yarborough's. As Basil Lubbock reminds
us in The China Clippers, it is related of Lord Yarborough
that he paid his yachting crew extra wages, on consideration that
they conformed to the regulations of the Royal Navy. One of these
regulations justified the free use of the cat-o'-nine-tails, and
before leaving Plymouth for a Mediterranean cruise all hands on his
lordship's yacht, the Falcon, signed a paper setting forth the merits
of a sound flogging and their willingness to undergo it, if needful,
for the preservation of discipline. The Falcon, it may be added, was
built regardless of expense, and in appearance resembled a twenty-
gun corvette. The Earl "died on board his yacht, the Kestrel, in
the port of Vigo, Spain, September, 1846, aged 65".
Originally the monument stood on the very brow of the
Down, but it was moved a little lower to make room for the
now obsolete fort that stands there.
When the view in both directions has been duly appreciated,
a little harmless amusement may be derived by getting members
of the party to discover on the monument the date of its erection.
Keen eyesight is necessary. Knowing ones will look to the second
course of stones from the top of the column on the Sandown side,
but there will still be room for differences of opinion as to
whether the date is 1848 or 1849.
Close to the monument is a row of coastguard cottages, but
more interest will attach to the neighbouring Wireless Telegraphy
Station, one of the most important in the kingdom, on account
of the many passing vessels, warships and otherwise, and the
nearness of the great naval arsenal. The military authorities
have in recent years further shown their sense of the strategic
importance of this eastern headland of the Wight by erecting
at the extremity of the Culver Cliff another fort armed with
powerful modern guns. This part of the cliff is strictly "out
of bounds" to civilians.
The return to Bembridge can be made by descending any
of the paths on the northern side of the Down to the somewhat
devious main road between Yaverland and Bembridge. At the
fork a little beyond Bembridge Farm bear to the left,
and presently right through Steyne Wood to the cross-roads
known as Bembridge Cross. Here turn to the left, and then the
first on the right leads from near the windmill past the wall
of Bembridge Lodge to the village. This is a round of some-
thing like six miles, but will almost certainly seem longer.
An alternative route is, on reaching the main road near
Bembridge Farm, to turn left towards Sandown, and when
Brading comes into view to bear right down a narrow lane
at the point where the main road turns left. This road
passes through the Centurion's Copse.
After passing through the copse take the path that bears
left, and arriving at the old sea-wall turn left for
Brading Station, whence the train can be taken to Bembridge.
Bembridge to Yaverland and Sandown, 5 1/4 miles, - Beyond
the church turn to the right. Just short of the watertank
and windmill turn to the left to the cross-roads known
as Bembridge Cross, and there turn to the right and go through
Steyne Wood. Thence follow the winding road past Bembridge
Farm and 1/4 mile onward bear round to the left up
Longlands Shute to a chalk-pit (2 1/2 miles) under Bembridge
Fort. The road then turns right and skirts Bembridge Down
to a junction of roads. Here turn to the left for Yaverland
and Sandown.
Bembridge to Seaview, - Cross the Harbour by ferry.
Then stroll along the shore by the golf links to the White-
washed tower of old St. Helen's Church. Turn inland up
the lane, and in a yard or two a footpath will be seen on the
right, skirting a hedge. It commands a delightful view of
Bembridge across the water. After crossing several meadows
a railed-in drive is reached. Turn to the right and at top
to left. Follow the lane past Priory Farm, and keeping to
the right take the road leading past several new houses
to Seagrove Bay, Seaview.
TBC

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