The walk from Gurnard to Cowes and back again is a perennial family favourite, along Prince’s and Egypt Esplanade. It’s not a long walk as walks go but it has two distinct things in its favour. Firstly it is pavement all the way. For people using wheels – prams, mobility scooters and so on, are less active or who simply prefer their walks on the flat this one is perfect. Secondly at either end of the walk there are good places to eat, drink, rest and enjoy the views.
It is those views that make this such a great walk. Stretching to the west right down to the Needles. On a clear day the panorama of the western Solent is one of the most beautiful sights. Over to the north is Lymington and the shadow of the New Forest. Turning towards the east you can see the looming presence of Fawley and then immediately the ever present bustle of Southampton Water. Here there are always container ships, tankers or cruise liners negotiating the sharp turn into or out of the main channel.
Whatever the state of the tide of the condition of the weather the waters of the western Solent are never still. They are always conspiring to make the unwary sailor take careful heed of the power and force of the currents. Watching boats heading steadily into the tide making painstakingly slow progress is always a reminder of the power of nature and the sea.
It is a steady walk along the promenades. Some care has to be taken because the pavement does undulate slightly where subsidence has taken its toll. Observing the changing architecture of these homes by the sea is interesting too. At Gurnard there are the houses round the green, with the children’s play area, the local café and very good village pub. Along the esplanade there is creeping development with new modern seaside homes establishing themselves in their surroundings. As you near Egypt point and the now redundant navigation light there are the larger elegant Victorian and Edwardian marine residences, dating from a time when Victoria sat on the throne and Cowes was a centre of fashion and Court life.
Once you have reached Egypt Point the centre of the Solent looking towards the east and Portsmouth opens up before you. To your right the housing becomes denser indicating the approach to the town is coming closer. The view of Cowes harbour opens up with its constant flow of boats, ferries and small trading craft. Cowes is never dull. The esplanade slowly turns into a traditional town seafront as you near the imposing presence of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Then before you know it you are under its lee and you are in the town.
On the walk back you have the chance to look at the matching views to the ones you have just seen. This is a walk that I enjoy in all weathers. In the summer sun the light bounces off the sea and creates glorious colours. In the winter, when there are storms and the winds are high, watching the waves crash into the shore is always a fine spectacle.
It’s not a long walk, or a difficult one, but it offers some of the finest views the Island has to offer all year round.