The Freshwater to Yarmouth railway line, now converted to a walking/riding track, has long been a popular destination for grabbing some fresh air. With estuary to the left, forest and field to the right, it’s dusty path stretches beneath ancient trees, passing tattered rope swing and benches along the way. It’s always been sociable, walkers invariably running in to a familiar face along the way. I remember exploring it as a child, swinging on the rope and racing through the puddles with my brother. Years ago, the only option at the end of the path was to turn around and head straight back.

Now, the old Yarmouth train station has been lovingly converted in to the perfect refreshment stop: Off the Rails. With its quirky but quality railway decor, great food and friendly staff, this place is a welcome find at the end of a ride. We often plan our routes to finish here and take advantage of the best burgers in town, washed down with a milkshake. If you haven’t brought your own wheels, the guys in the cycle hire next door are incredibly helpful and will set you up with whatever you need, even a tandem if you fancy it.

Not only does Off the Rails welcome muddy boots, it also welcomes its four-legged customers. Dog-friendly ice cream is available and all dogs are offered a friendly hello and complimentary biscuits. We love to sit by the large windows on a sunny day and watch the world go by: the foot and pedal traffic and the winged variety in the marshes beyond. A perfect spot to relax, whether you’ve cycled many miles or simply strolled from the car.

Images by Bryony Rust

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There’s little sweeter in life than starting the day with an early morning stroll along the water’s edge. And I recently discovered how pretty darn near perfect it is to take that stroll on horseback.

Sally’s Riding School is based on the sunny east side of the Isle of Wight near farmland, harbour and the beautiful Priory Bay. The staff are a friendly bunch, who showed us the ropes with little fuss. I was put at ease despite my limited riding experience, and they gave free reign to those who knew what they were doing.

We timed our ride to catch the low tide round the headland before it got too deep. The definition of ’too deep’ is different on a horse, as they happily splash through up to their haunches without complaint.

Priory Bay is a perfect curve of sand, with no-one but the odd local to share it with. After kicking through sand and salt water, we headed up a narrow path, ducking under apple blossom, past an old manor estate, and on to the track headed back to the stables.

A little horse riding is always good fun, but to ride on the beach made it all the more magic. A perfect way to catch some fresh air, without doing all the leg work yourself.

Images by Bryony Rust

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Just above the rocky southern tip of the Isle of Wight stands an unusual stone structure, shaped like a rocket, affectionately known as the Pepperpot. It’s one of my favourite spots to grab some fresh air, whatever the weather. With the whole island stretched beneath, it offers the perfect sunset viewpoint. It’s also one of the foggiest pockets of land; there’s been times I’ve almost tripped up on the Pepperpot before finding it through the mist.

This hilltop spot is a perfect destination for a wintry day, as the wind buffets your many layers on the scramble up the steep path to the top. The best route is along the winding muddy path from Chale Green, up past the Hoy Monument, along the spine of the downland. If you’re short on time, you can always race up from Viewpoint Car Park in fifteen minutes and enjoy the grand views from the top. It makes for a fun last light adventure on the way home from work, but is also the perfect way to grab a bit of fresh air between the big roast dinner and the afternoon mince pies and turkey sandwiches.

My favourite detour on the way back home is the old smuggler’s inn: The Buddle. It’s the perfect cosy pub, complete with flagstone floors, low beamed ceilings, roaring fires and local ales. You’ll deserve a pint after that climb.

Images by Tom Pratt

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It’s always so satisfying to climb a tree: to scramble up and reach that first low branch and carefully wind your way higher before sitting against the rough bark. I’m never usually brave enough to make it higher than the first few branches. But, there is a huge old oak tree in Appley Park, standing just above the beach, where anyone can climb as high as 50 feet up in to its canopy.

Goodleaf Tree Climbing has been showing people the ropes on the Isle of Wight for almost ten years. After only a few minutes Paul and Archie will have you climbing up in to the branches, and scrambling in to hammocks strung high.

This is a seriously big tree: the kind you might have a picnic under; never one you’d be able to climb. But with harness and ropes, you can make your way right the top. From there, you can peer over the trees of the park, across the Solent and out to the city across the water.

Leave your watch behind and get sucked in to life under the oak leaves for a couple hours. You won’t tire of it and can stop for some Goodleaf tea and homemade flapjack before there’s a chance of that.

Images by Tom Pratt and courtesy of Goodleaf Tree Climbing 

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Time has stood still at the Dimbola Museum and Galleries, perched high above the picturesque Freshwater Bay on the Isle of Wight. The multi award-winning museum occupies the former home of the pioneering Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. She was one of the earliest photographers to promote photography as an art form, made even more remarkable because she was a woman. Women of her social standing were not often allowed a voice, though it would seem she fought against all sorts of preconceptions.

This rambling house has been lovingly restored and is now home to temporary exhibitions, a Victorian dressing up room, a dedicated Alice in Wonderland space, as well as a museum shop filled with unique handmade gifts, and a creaky, pile-them-musty-high second-hand bookshop.

Dimbola lies at the heart of this small bohemian community made up of lively artists, actors, writers and designers, who together are committed to keeping the Freshwater circle spirit alive today. It is run by a dedicated team of local volunteers who give up their time with a passion.

Don’t leave the museum without visiting The Mad Hatter at Julia’s Tea Room. So delightful it was, that we couldn’t tear ourselves away from a whole sunny afternoon spent in the front garden lingering over the delicious lunch until we also gave in to a large slice of a perfect Victoria Sponge.

If you find yourself on Wighty, do take a detour (you never too far from anywhere on the island) to this magical Bay and discover its natural beauty.

Images by Fatima Malagueira & courtesy of Marc MacNab 

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It’s always fun to have a browse through a shop full of beautiful art and lovely things, but when that shop also has a tea parlour hiding in the back it becomes an essential stop. At Pelham House Gallery you’ll not only have your choice of British artisan goods, but also an enormous range of loose leaf tea and homemade cakes, too good to pass up.

PHG started off in a tiny broom cupboard shop near Cowes sea front and has now spread its wings to a larger shop, giving plenty of space to fill with handmade items. Here you’ll find knitted socks, hand thrown pottery, vintage linens, taper candles, screen prints, reclaimed furniture and plenty more unexpected finds.

Beyond the many unique offerings are squeezed some old wooden tables just perfect for sitting with a cup of tea and writing a postcard, or considering which piece of art to put on your wishlist. This is tea with the full British ceremony attached: make your choice from the wall of tea jars, and pick your favourite china from the stack on display. The quiet pace and friendly staff make this spot just perfect for a rainy day stop.

Images by Tom Pratt

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If you find yourself in the Botanical Gardens of Ventnor, and wander past the giant waterlilies and prickly pears, you’ll find a small opening in the far fence. Scramble down the steep narrow path and you’ll arrive at Steephill Cove. Hidden from incidental passersby, this tiny cove is a perfect pocket of old-fashioned beachy fun.

On a sunny day, tide out, grab a deckchair and sit on the sand with a cone of local Minghella’s ice cream (banana smoothie is my favourite). On a grey day, perch on a boulder, waves riding high, with coffee from the tiny shop. The shop owner makes the best carrot cake; it would be rude to say no.

Make a day of it with sandcastles, snoozes, and tiny discoveries in the rock pools. Stay for a delicious meal at the Boathouse where you can sit outside with a plate of seafood while the sun sets over the water. And if you’re really pushing the boat out, you could stay in the lighthouse. There is a lot squeezed in to this cove no bigger than a postage stamp, and perfect for exploring whether you have a day or an hour.

Images by Bryony Rust

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