soutEngland has an envious coastline spreading miles enveloping this beautiful little country. As they say the English are blessed with everything best and luxurious and i cant agree enough; its coasts are bountiful with scenic beauty and many splendors of nature.
If you browse thru the Must Visit Places in England, its chalky cliffs would definitely appear as a Not to Miss sight. There are various places on the English Heritage Coastline that you can have a view of the chalky cliffs, however some are really popular ones with breathtaking scenery. Chalky Cliffs are limestone rocks, very calcium-y in nature, thats how they get their white color. Well, I will stop here as Iam not a geologist neither do I have a profound interest in this subject; there are many learned souls who have published the How and Why of the ‘chemical side’ of these alkaline wonder; as as admirer of the wonders of nature, my post would showcase three sights that I visited in last one year of the Chalky Cliffs and trust me some of the sights blew me off.
Isle of Wight
More famous for the Isle of Wight Festival, this small county is located in English channel off the Hampshire Coast. It has been a favorite summer resort since Victorian era. Apparently Queen Victoria breathed her last moments of life here at Osborne house. Travelling to Isle of Wight is easy. You can reach Southampton or Portsmouth which are well connected by trains from anywhere in England. From here you can take a ferry to Isle of Wight. I did the former, Southampton route and took the Red Funnel ferry to West Cowes in Isle of Wight
The view of one of the Pier and the Isle of Wight Mainland.
For ease of navigation, i took a bus tour which took me to the Chalky Cliffs area called ‘The Needles’ and a complete round of the Isle. In retrospect it wasn’t a bad choice tho i dint walk quite a lot. The views from the Bus of the highlands, the sea, and the lush green pathways was exquisite.
View of one of the streets opening to the Sea
The Cliffs
Enroute the views opened to the beautiful chalky cliffs in the English channel. Spread across few miles, these cliffs look were also checkered with green vegetation patches.
The first views as the Bus took a turn onto the path to Needles
There are many small towns enroute where one can stop to admire these cliffs. However the route on which i planned my journey took me all around these cliffs till the south point of the Isle. There were limited photo opportunities however got to capture some great views thru my eyes.
Walk along the coast in any of the small towns along the coast
The last bit of my ride along these kind of tree tunnels. The photos clicked from the moving bus created this whirlpool effect.
Tree Groves and Tree Tunnels enroute to Yarmouth
When you dont have a high-end camera, the easy way out is to sit in the upper deck of the Bus. From this top perched seat i could get great views and some decent photos to preserve memories of this trip
Lush green scenery enroute
And finally a much more beautiful view of the Chalky Cliffs.
Glistening under bright sun the white chalky cliffs of Isle of Wight
Yarmouth
Finally I alight from the Bus at Yarmouth. A small town and one of the oldest in Isle of Wight. Famous for its Pier, Castle, a transport hub and a retirement destination. I did enjoy few hours here.
Yarmouth
Right on the banks is a long wooden Pier. It opens up on the English Channel.
Check the names written on each wooden plank
After a day of lovely views, my stomach ached for some good food. And what a delight to sit in one of the most well known Cafe of Yarmouth overlooking the Sea with some lovely mac and cheese and french baguettes. The Gossips Cafe, a quaint Cafe. What a lovely name and well yes i did manage some Gossips here with my friend who accompanied me on this trip.
The lovely Gossips Cafe
A well deserving meal at the end of a day of overdose of Cliff views
I prepare to catch a bus back to West Cowes. And then a ferry to Southampton. A long journey ahead.
What a lovely day it was and I regret to have made such a short trip to this beautiful place. There is lot more to discover here and spend some days at leisure at one of the beautiful beaches like Shankhlin. Its a romantic getaway and spending a day or two would be my recommendation to everyone.
My last click before the sun rests for the day. To come back again!
From the Pier of Yarmouth.
Note to Travelers:
Links for booking Ferries to Isle of Wight
http://www.wightlink.co.uk/iow/
Read more about Isle of Wight and also the Isle of Wight Festival
http://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/
http://isleofwightfestival.com/
Link to my Trover Album featuring some of the pictures on my Blog as well.
http://www.trover.com/u/theredbagandpurpleshoes
