The Walk
The sand spit Duver at St Helen’s once housed one of the oldest golf links in the country, boasting visiting royalty and film stars. A haven for wildlife, and the only place to find sand dunes on the island, The Duver also boasts beach huts made from old railway carriages.
Start at the National Trust car park on the Duver at St Helen’s, grid ref: SZ637892
Exit the car park by following the hedge to the left of the parking meter and interpretation panel, going up the sandy path by the dog bin. Cross the grass and road and aim for the boats in Bembridge Harbour.
When you get to the water’s edge, turn right and follow the raised Causeway path between the lagoons and buildings ending up at Mill Quay. Go up the first tarmac road on the right, by Mill House, up to the top of the hill.
Turn right at St Helen’s Green and skirt the edge of one of the largest village greens in England. At the end, bear right, then carry straight on into Duver Road – this is a turning off to the right on a sharp bend to the left.
Before the traffic lights, turn right by the interpretation panel (signed R88 to the Duver). Follow this path to the end, at The Duver, which you enter via a wooden bridge.
Take the path behind the interpretation panel, to the left, and follow it past the Old Golf Club building (which is now a holiday home owned by the National Trust). Turn left behind the club house to meet the road, then left and right onto the road to St Helen’s Old Church by the sea.
Turn right along the sea wall and take the first gap to the right, after the long line of beach huts (next to number 28). Walk through the sand dunes and bear right by the National Trust omega sign, returning to the car park via steps.
Getting to: St Helen’s Duver, Isle of Wight, PO33 1XY
- By road: Turning off of the B3330 Seaview to Bembridge road, east of St Helen’s Green – ½ mile from this main road.
- By foot: Part of this trail meets the Isle of Wight coastal path between St Helen’s Duver and Seagrove Bay.
- By bus: There is an hourly Southern Vectis bus (No 8) from Newport and Ryde. Alight at St Helen’s Green and the Duver is a ½ mile walk down the Duver Road.
- By bike: The Round the Island National Cycle Network regional route 67 passes within ½ mile of the start of this trail.
Walk devised by National Trust.
