Holiday park · Colwell Bay · on the doorstep off the path
Linstone Chine Holiday Village (Brambles Chine and Cliff End)
2.1 miles into the stage · Holiday bungalows above Colwell Bay, right on the path.
Chalets
- No dogs
- Near beach
from £90/night
ViewIsle of Wight Coastal Path: Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay
About 9 miles (14.6km) from Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay, which takes 4 to 5 hours. It starts flat on the sea wall and through Fort Victoria Country Park, then gets harder: the steps of Widdick Chine at Totland, the climb over Headon Warren, and the long chalk ridge of Tennyson Down from the Needles back to Freshwater Bay.
This is the stage most people come for: the coloured sand cliffs of Alum Bay, the Needles and their Victorian batteries, and the Tennyson Monument on top of the down. From Colwell Chine onwards it is King Charles III England Coast Path, section IOW5, opened in September 2025.
Glamping site · Freshwater · 0.9 miles off the path
Glamping The Wight Way
2.6 miles into the stage · Safari lodges by the River Yar, between Yarmouth and Freshwater, about a mile from the path.
Safari tents
- No dogs
- Campfires
- Glamping
from £342.50/night
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Touring park · Freshwater · on the doorstep off the path
Heathfield Farm Camping
2.6 miles into the stage · A few minutes from the path at Colwell Bay, 2.5 miles from Yarmouth.
Tents, caravans, motorhomes
- Dogs welcome
- Near beach
from £28/night
ViewCampsite · Freshwater · 0.6 miles off the path
Freshwater Camp Equipment Trust Campsite
2.7 miles into the stage
Pre-pitched tents
- Near beach
- Glamping
from £112.50/night
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Holiday park · Colwell Bay · on the doorstep off the path
The Bay Colwell
3.1 miles into the stage · Cottages and lodges a short walk from Colwell Bay and the sea wall.
Cottages, lodges
- Some dogs
- Pool
- Near beach
from £45/night
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Campsite · Totland · 0.4 miles off the path
Stoats Farm Caravan and Camping
4.2 miles into the stage · Tent pitches below Tennyson Down, about half a kilometre from the path above Totland.
Tents, caravans, motorhomes, cottages
- Dogs welcome
- Campfires
- Near beach
from £24.50/night
ViewSmall certificated site · Freshwater · on the doorstep off the path
The Bungalow CL
Near the end, Freshwater Bay · Members' CL on the golf course just above Freshwater Bay, at the end of the stage.
Members only · join the Caravan and Motorhome Club to stay
Caravans, motorhomes
- Dogs welcome
- Near beach
Prices on request
ViewNo campsites match all of those.
The walk
Leave Yarmouth west along the concrete sea wall past old jetties to Sconce Point, then through the woods of Fort Victoria Country Park, 1.2 miles out, with views across to Hurst Castle and toilets and a cafe at the fort. A short inland stretch brings you down to Colwell Bay and the sea wall to Totland pier at 3.7 miles.
At Totland climb the steps of Widdick Chine and Cliff Road to the heath of Headon Warren, then drop to Alum Bay and the Needles Landmark Attraction at 5.5 miles. The path climbs to the Needles Batteries and turns east along Tennyson Down, past the monument, before a long grassy descent to Freshwater Bay. Livestock may be grazing on the downs, so keep dogs on a lead.
Closures and diversions (checked 16 October 2026)
Part of footpath T16, the England Coast Path between Cliff Road and footpath T17 at Headon Warren, has been closed since 23 January 2026 after a landslip. Use Cliff Road and T17. At Colwell, Madeira Lane (footpath F13a), the high tide route, closes for repairs from 19 October 2026 for about a week. Use the beach at low tide, or Colwell Chine Road, Colwell Road and footpath F10.
Buses, food and water
Route 7 runs Totland and Freshwater to Yarmouth about every 30 minutes in the day. Route 12 stops at Freshwater Bay and runs on to Freshwater and Totland, where you can change to the 7. The open-top Needles Breezer runs from Yarmouth to the Needles Battery until 1 November 2026, if you only want to walk Tennyson Down back to Freshwater Bay.
Toilets are at Yarmouth, Fort Victoria, Colwell beach, Totland beach and Freshwater Bay (Gate Lane). Alum Bay is the last food stop. After that there is nothing on Tennyson Down until the Albion Hotel and cafes at Freshwater Bay.
Questions people ask
How hard is the walk from Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay?
Moderate. The first 3.7 miles to Totland are flat. Then come three real climbs: the Widdick Chine steps, Headon Warren and the climb from the Needles onto Tennyson Down. Allow 4 to 5 hours.
Does the coastal path go to the Needles?
Yes. It passes Alum Bay and climbs to the Needles Batteries, where you look down on the rocks, then follows Tennyson Down east to Freshwater Bay.
Where can I camp near Yarmouth and Freshwater?
Heathfield Farm is close to the path at Colwell Bay, Stoats Farm is below Tennyson Down near Totland, and The Bungalow CL is on the golf course above Freshwater Bay.