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Home> Walks> Sea change for St Helens

Sea change for St Helens

Recommended by
Our view
"Discover the forces that shaped Bembridge Harbour on this attractive seaside route."
Walk directions

Face the sea wall and turn right along the beach, passing the toilets and beach cafe. Continue past the beach huts (converted Victorian railway trucks) and turn inland, cross the boatyard access road with green metal boatsheds to your left and join footpath R86 towards St Helens. Walk beside the harbour on your left for 190yds (174m) as far as the narrow causeway on your left.

Turn left and walk right across the causeway between the harbour and the former millponds on your right, crossing three bridges along the way.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Sea wall, firm paths, roads and grass (may be muddy)
  Landscape  - Grazing marsh, Solent and harbour views
  Dog friendliness  - Lead required along the roads
  Parking  - St Helen’s (Priory Point) car park (pay-and-display)
  Toilets en route  - At the start (seasonal opening)
About the walk
A glance at a modern map tells you little about the extraordinary landscape of St Helens and its near neighbours, Brading and Bembridge. Perhaps we should also include Sandown in the story, for until the Middle Ages it lay at the opposite end of Brading Haven, whilst Bembridge itself was an...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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About the area
not available. .
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Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Holiday Park
Old Mill Holiday Park
★★★★★
award
"Overlooking picturesque Bembridge harbour..."
Self-Catering
3 Harbour Strand
★★★★
award
"Comfortable base for Isle of Wight holiday..."
  • Sky or freeview
  • Linens provided
Self-Catering
3 Harbour Strand
★★★★
award
"Comfortable base for Isle of Wight holiday..."
  • Total units: 1
  • Sky or freeview
  • Linens provided
  • Internet
Nearby places to stay
Old Mill Holiday Park
Offering high-quality, self-catering caravans, lodges and pine cabins, Old Mill family-run holiday park has a children's play area with swings, an aerial runway and tunnel slides. Local...
★★★★★    Rating
3 Harbour Strand
Close to Bembridge harbour, this well-presented town house is a good choice for yachting, sailing and angling enthusiasts. Nature lovers will enjoy visits to the Hamstead Heritage Coast...
★★★★    Rating
3 Harbour Strand
Close to Bembridge harbour, this well-presented town house is a good choice for yachting, sailing and angling enthusiasts. Nature lovers will enjoy visits to the Hamstead Heritage Coast...
★★★★    Rating
St Helens Coastal Resort
St Helens Coastal Resort is very well placed upon the Island close to the coast and also very well placed to act a base for visiting the many local places of interest. A small, well-for...
★★★★    Rating
The Birdham at Bembridge
The Birdham at Bembridge is a beautifully restored Edwardian inn, set in the heart of the village. Recently reverting to its original 1920s name, the property has 14 en suite comfortabl...
★★★★    Rating
Seaview Hotel
There is an enduring appeal about Seaview, a quiet seaside village where the pace of life is unhurried. The hotel is just a few steps from the water's edge, a perfect place to relax and...
★★★    Rating
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park Ltd
Whitecliff Bay has its very own secluded beach, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There are also activity programmes for the kids and fantastic entertainment and if you fanc...
★★★★    Rating
Whitefield Forest Touring Park
Whitefield Forest Touring Park is beautifully laid out in the Whitefield Forest, and offers a wide variety of pitches, including many fully serviced. The site is conveniently located on...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Seaview Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Seaview Hotel
The Boathouse
The Boathouse
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Seaview Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Seaview Hotel
The Boathouse
The Boathouse
   AA Rosette Award
The Fishbourne
The Briny
   AA Rosette Award
Ocean View Hotel Food
Royal Maritime Hotel
View all
Route details
45min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
1.5 miles (2.4kms)

Ascent:
99ft (30m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
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Sea change for St Helens

Recommended by
Our view
"Discover the forces that shaped Bembridge Harbour on this attractive seaside route."
Walk details
45min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
1.5 miles (2.4kms)
Ascent:
99ft (30m)
Walk directions

Face the sea wall and turn right along the beach, passing the toilets and beach cafe. Continue past the beach huts (converted Victorian railway trucks) and turn inland, cross the boatyard access road with green metal boatsheds to your left and join footpath R86 towards St Helens. Walk beside the harbour on your left for 190yds (174m) as far as the narrow causeway on your left.
1 of 5

Turn left and walk right across the causeway between the harbour and the former millponds on your right, crossing three bridges along the way.
2 of 5

Zig-zag between the buildings at the far end of the causeway and turn right past St Helens Mill, now converted as a private house. Keep ahead past the Old Mill Holiday Park and follow the lane up the hill to the green.
3 of 5

Walk ahead up Mill Road, cross over and turn right. Bear right at the bend into Duver Road. Pass a bench with an interesting village information board, continue for 90yds (82m) and turn right onto footpath R88 at St Helens Common. Follow the enclosed path down beside the common and cross the footbridge onto St Helens Duver.
4 of 5

Keep ahead for 65yds (59m),then, when the path curves right, branch off left across the grass towards the houses on the skyline. Cross the lane, keeping the National Trust car park to your left. Keep ahead past the car park steps on your left, then walk through the narrow gap in the bushes onto the sea wall. Turn left and re-trace your steps to the car park.
5 of 5
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Sea wall, firm paths, roads and grass (may be muddy)
  Landscape - Grazing marsh, Solent and harbour views
  Dog friendliness - Lead required along the roads
  Parking - St Helen’s (Priory Point) car park (pay-and-display)
  Toilets en route - At the start (seasonal opening)
About the walk
A glance at a modern map tells you little about the extraordinary landscape of St Helens and its near neighbours, Brading and Bembridge. Perhaps we should also include Sandown in the story, for until the Middle Ages it lay at the opposite end of Brading Haven, whilst Bembridge itself was an...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
not available. .
Explore

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Holiday Park
Old Mill Holiday Park
★★★★★
award
"Overlooking picturesque Bembridge harbour..."
Self-Catering
3 Harbour Strand
★★★★
award
"Comfortable base for Isle of Wight holiday..."
  • Total units: 1
  • Sky or freeview
  • Linens provided
  • Internet
Self-Catering
3 Harbour Strand
★★★★
award
"Comfortable base for Isle of Wight holiday..."
  • Sky or freeview
  • Linens provided
Nearby places to stay
Old Mill Holiday Park
Offering high-quality, self-catering caravans, lodges and pine cabins, Old Mill family-run holiday park has a children's play area with swings, an aerial runway and tunnel slides. Local...
★★★★★    Rating
3 Harbour Strand
Close to Bembridge harbour, this well-presented town house is a good choice for yachting, sailing and angling enthusiasts. Nature lovers will enjoy visits to the Hamstead Heritage Coast...
★★★★    Rating
3 Harbour Strand
Close to Bembridge harbour, this well-presented town house is a good choice for yachting, sailing and angling enthusiasts. Nature lovers will enjoy visits to the Hamstead Heritage Coast...
★★★★    Rating
St Helens Coastal Resort
St Helens Coastal Resort is very well placed upon the Island close to the coast and also very well placed to act a base for visiting the many local places of interest. A small, well-for...
★★★★    Rating
The Birdham at Bembridge
The Birdham at Bembridge is a beautifully restored Edwardian inn, set in the heart of the village. Recently reverting to its original 1920s name, the property has 14 en suite comfortabl...
★★★★    Rating
Seaview Hotel
There is an enduring appeal about Seaview, a quiet seaside village where the pace of life is unhurried. The hotel is just a few steps from the water's edge, a perfect place to relax and...
★★★    Rating
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park Ltd
Whitecliff Bay has its very own secluded beach, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There are also activity programmes for the kids and fantastic entertainment and if you fanc...
★★★★    Rating
Whitefield Forest Touring Park
Whitefield Forest Touring Park is beautifully laid out in the Whitefield Forest, and offers a wide variety of pitches, including many fully serviced. The site is conveniently located on...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Seaview Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Seaview Hotel
The Boathouse
The Boathouse
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Seaview Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Seaview Hotel
The Boathouse
The Boathouse
   AA Rosette Award
The Fishbourne
The Briny
   AA Rosette Award
Ocean View Hotel Food
Royal Maritime Hotel
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby