Fishbourne Past Quarr Abbey to Binstead

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Coastal Walk 4

Easy walking
41/2kms/23/4mls.11/2-13/4hours.A gentle flat walk past areas of woodland,wetland and open fields.

High Spots: Good views of boat life on the Solent through pastoral fields and the chance for a close up look at imposing Quarr Abbey.

Use the Wightlink ferry terminal as your start point for this walk and take the Bridleway R3,marked Binstead Coastal Path, on the right hand side of the road beyond the terminal, just before the Fishbourne Inn. This is Quarr Lane, a leafy track overhung with trees, which, as its name suggests, leads to Quarr Abbey. First, though, the track provides attractive views through pastureland to the Solent and, as it is both flat and shaded, it ’s the ideal walk for families and older people.

After around a quarter of a mile comes the first view of the towering rose-coloured brick abbey, built a century ago by French Benedictine monks to replace the original medieval Cistercian abbey. The walk leads past the entrance to the abbey, whose chapel is open to visitors, and on past the ruins of the original building in sea meadows bordering the Solent.

Just past these ruins, pass through a gateway into a wooded residential area. Beyond the clutch of houses take the left fork onto the Coastal Path (Bridleway R45).At the end of this wooded glade, the track comes out at a small road. Just before this, bear back sharp left onto Footpath R46 for a detour down to the foreshore, providing more Solent views from a beach, most remarkable for its wooden flotsam.

Then retrace your steps to Fishbourne and turn right from Quarr Lane to the Fishbourne Inn, almost opposite. This is a large, family-friendly pub with extensive areas of seating inside and out, ideal as last port of call before boarding the Wightlink ferry to Portsmouth.

Fishbourne Inn (01983 882823)
Open Monday-Friday 12 noon-3.00pm, Weekends all day from 12 noon. Lunch 12 noon-2.30pm.

Specialities: Extensive menu of daily specials including fish such as bream, trout and plaice. Real ales include Goddards, Bass and 6X. Excellent choice of 12 wines by the glass. Children welcome. Dogs in bar only. Large garden.

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