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Archiver > ISLE-OF-WIGHT > 1999-03 > 0922807386


From: Barry Drinkle <>
Subject: Isle-of-Wight Holiday 1912 #49
Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 10:23:06 -0500


TOTLAND BAY.
Totland Bay is in great favour with those who love a holiday
resort of the restful type, yet within easy reach of the
outer world. Like Freshwater, it is also a favourite residential
quarter and is only to a comparatively slight extent dependent
upon the summer influx of visitors. The air is peculiarly
bracing, and though partaking of the softness of that of the
Undercliff has none of its relaxing qualities. This is not
surprising when one considers that, as local advertisements
put it, Totland Bay has "four thousand miles of ozone constantly
pouring upon it" from the Atlantic. The clientele of this modest
watering-place is of a distinguished kind. Artists come on
account of the beautiful atmospheric effects, the unrivalled
land and seascapes, and the gorgeous sunsets; golfers are lured
by the famous Needles links. The bay is well sheltered and
affords exceptional advantages for yatchting and boating,
while the sands are remarkably white and firm. Bathing from the
stony beach is very fair. Visitors' own bathing tents may be
placed on the shore for a small charge per week, or tents or
huts may be hired. A small Esplanade borders the bay between
the bathing office and the Pier, with a continuation beneath
the cliff in the direction of Warden Point. The Pier (toll 2d.,
promenading or embarking) is the property of the hotel company.
It is a good vantage-point from which to watch the never-ending
procession of warships, liners, excursion steamers and other
vessels making for Southampton and Portsmouth and forging their
way to the Channel. Most liners of less than 25,000 tons use
the western Solent.
The puzzling red-brick structure that stands on the point
opposite Hurst Castle and is so prominent in the view from the
cliffs or the steamer, is Fort Albert, which was used by Brennen
in connection with the testing of torpedoes. Farther in the
direction of Yarmouth is another important red-brick depot,
Fort Victoria, used in connection with searchlight training.
The Broadway is Totland Bay's shopping quarter. The only
building here requiring mention is the Parish Church (erected 1875).
On the road to High Down a Roman Catholic Church is a notable
example of modern treatment of the Byzantine style.
The narrow strip of pine-screened greensward at the top of
the cliff, southward of the pier, is known as the Turf Walk.
It commands fine views of the opposite coast and especially
of the long spit on which stands Hurst Castle. It is a delightful
walk along this and then by the footpath round Headon Hill
to Alum Bay. (This footpath can also be reached from the beach).
In this locality were found some years ago two dome-shaped
structures, lined with glazed terracotta, and conjectured to
have been used as a crematorium by the Phoenicians.
Another good stroll is in the opposite direction by the
footpath commencing at the Coastguard look-out near the Hotel
and then bending inland round the fort for Warden Road and-
COLWELL BAY.
This fast-growing resort is now practically a suburb of
Totland Bay. Here good bathing is to be had (charge:
6d., 12 tickets 5s., children 3d.). The sands are firm and
stretch for a long way, and those who like an unsophisticated
and out-of-the-world spot might well give the place a trial.
It is certainly the best spot in the West Wight for children.
There is an 18-hole putting green (3d. per round). There is
a small inn about a quarter of a mile from the sea, and apart-
ments can be secured in almost every house in the village.
Geologists will find much to inerest them in the neigh-
bouring cliff sections, and fossils are fairly numerous.
Colwell Bay can also be reached from Totland along the
shore, but as the sea wall was badly damaged by winter gales,
this walk becomes a scramble in places. The walk can be
continued to Yarmouth by following the shore to the second
chine, going up here, crossing the fields to the gap in the
trees, and then following the avenue of trees down to Fort
Victoria and thence along the shore to the Causeway and Yarmouth.
Another favourite walk is that from -
TOTLAND BAY TO THE TENNYSON CROSS.
From Broadway bear left up the Weston Road, and then turn left
as far as the Roman Catholic Church. Turning right here continue
past the Highdown Inn up a farm road leading southward to the
Down. At the end is a gate giving on to a path which, after
winding round the chalk quarry, reaches the top of the ridge
quite close to the Tennyson Cross. Continue towards Alum
Bay and the Needles or descend to Freshwater Bay and return by road.
TBC

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