Tennyson Trail

The Tennyson Trail is a 14-mile walk from Carisbrooke to The Needles on the Isle of Wight. The route goes through Bowcombe Down, Brighstone Forest, Mottistone Down, Brook Down, Afton Down, Freshwater Bay, Tennyson Down, and West High Down to Alum Bay.[1] The name of the trail comes from poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, a former resident of the Isle of Wight.

The Tennyson Trail
Fine views west along the trail from the top of Mottistone Down. Tennyson Down can be seen in the distance (white chalk cliffs).
Length	14 mi (23 km)
Location	Isle of Wight
Trailheads	Carisbrooke 50.6907°N 1.3193°W / 50.6907; -1.3193 (Tennysone Trail, eastern end) The Needles 50.6666°N 1.5658°W / 50.6666; -1.5658 (Tennysone Trail, western end)
Use	Hiking
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	Moderate
Season	All year
Sights	The Needles Battery

There are several points of interest along the walk, including The Tennyson Monument on Tennyson Down, Farringford House and The Needles Batteries which overlook The Needles.[2]

Much of the trail, being a public byway, was formerly open to all traffic, including motor vehicles. By the early 2000s, off-road vehicles had become an increasing problem, and were damaging tracks, archaeological sites and wildlife habitats.[3] In response, in 2006, the Isle of Wight council banned all motor vehicles from the entire length of the trail.[4]

View of Carisbrooke Castle from the trail; looking east

Looking west along the trail above Bowcombe, with Rowridge Transmitter in the distance.

The trail through Brighstone Forest. Looking south west.

View east from Brook Down towards Mottistone Down.

Descending towards Freshwater Bay.

Monument to Tennyson at the top of Tennyson Down.

The route can be joined at any point, or walked in either direction; however, below it is described from Carisbrooke to Alum Bay.[5]