Newport, Bembridge Trail, St George's Down and Arreton Manor

The return route is quite different, rambling along quiet lanes and through inland valleys and oak woods that form the heart of the island (where you may spot bluebells, wood sorrel, and red squirrels). Queen Victoria loved the Isle of Wight, and Newport retains much of its Victorian charm with small bow-fronted shops and dignified villas. The rebuilt Church of St Thomas the Apostle contains a monument to Charles I's second daughter, Elizabeth, who died during her imprisonment at Carisbrooke Castle.

The Roman Villa in Newport is compact, featuring central reception rooms and flanking wings with a well-preserved bath suite and private family rooms.

The view from St George's Down along the Bembridge Trail spans the Arreton Valley, the seaward downs, and Culver Cliff. The country craft village of Arreton houses the island's oldest working craft centre alongside St George's Church (with 11th-century and Saxon features).

Arreton Manor is an Elizabethan 'E'-shaped manor house built of golden stone, featuring richly panelled rooms, a Museum of Childhood with historic toys and dolls, a Pomeroy Regency doll's house, and a fine collection of lace.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.