Shalfleet to Newtown National Nature Reserve

Easy walking
5kms/31/8mls. 11/2 -13/4 hours. A very easy walk on the flat. Expect muddy fields approaching the estuary at wet times of the year. A shorter alternative is to settle for the initial 2km/40 minute walk leading from the New Inn down to Shalfleet Quay and back.

High spots: Wonderful estuary views both from Shalfleet Quay and around the mud flats of Newtown Estuary itself.
 
Park in the Shalfleet car park a few yards from the New Inn and walk down the lane signed Shalfleet Quay. It’s an easy, peaceful stroll down to the quaint old boat yard and back, affording fantastic views of the estuary (mud flats at low tide, river estuary at high tide) and its bird life all the way.

Back at the Shalfleet Quay sign, turn left past Shalfleet Mill over a little footbridge
and follow the woodland path for approximately 1/4 mile until it joins up with a side road leading to Newtown, a further half a mile.

Turn left to Newtown over the humpback bridge by the estuary and past the village’s medieval Town Hall. Continue past the church on the right and down to the National Trust car park. From here cross the meadow and traverse the plank walkway across the causeway to the picturesque Quay with its rustic boathouse. Walk a rectangle around the mud flats back to the meadow with tremendous views of rare birds and plants on the way.

Retrace your steps to the car park and take the footpath opposite across fields and along the shoreline of the Causeway Lake. This leads back to the little humpback bridge at the entrance of Newtown from where you can use the road and woodland route back to the sign for Shalfleet Quay.

Close by is an excellent pub. The New Inn, a misnomer if ever there was one since this is an ancient inn with authentic flagstone floors and oak beams, is well known locally for its fish and seafood. It also accommodates the taste buds of fussy kids.

New Inn (Tel: 01983 531314) Open 12 noon - 3pm. Lunch: 12-2.30pm.

Specialities: Best known for fish dishes, e.g. Swordfish Steaks Thai style with coriander and lemon grass. Wide choice of veggie meals and good snacks e.g. filled baguettes. Real ales include Bass, 6X and Flowers plus one local brewery beer. Choice of 10 wines by the glass - including New World or French wine. Children welcome away from immediate bar area. Dogs and muddy boots accommodated in rooms with flagstone floors.