Ryde

Ryde © IW Tourism

Once two separate small communities, Ryde is now the Island's largest town. In 1781, Union Street connected the hilltop-farming village with the small fishing hamlet. With the construction the pier - Britain's first - in 1814 and the establishment of a regular ferry service from Portsmouth in 1825, Ryde grew into an elegant Victorian town.

There are grand town houses and terraces throughout Ryde. Designed by Gilbert Scott and built in 1869, All Saints Church with its grand spire dominates the skyline of the town.

Union Street, lined with fine Georgian and Victorian buildings, together with the long high street are packed with shops of all types. The Royal Victoria Arcade contains a number of boutiques and antique shops and there is an intriguing stalls market in the cellars beneath.

In addition to the fine shopping, Ryde town centre also offers a cinema, a theatre, a gym and a public library.

Ryde Pier, at nearly half a mile, is the second longest pier in the country. A high-speed passenger catamaran operates between Portsmouth and the pier head where the rail way line from Shanklin terminates, using 1930 London Underground rolling stock.

There is also a connection with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Smallbrook Junction near Ryde. Next to the pier is the hovercraft terminal which links to the mainland in as little as eight minutes.

With its six miles of glorious sandy beaches, a grand esplanade and promenade, Ryde's seafront offers its visitors a wide choice of activities. Along the esplanade you will find ten-pin bowling with an indoor children's play area and amusements, an indoor ice rink, and a swimming pool with retracting roof. There is also a canoe lake, paddling pool and a small fun fair and a dotto train, and at Appley a children's play area with pitch and putt course.

The promenade stretches from the esplanade, past Appley Gardens to Puckpool Park. Along the promenade is Appley Tower, a Victorian Folly. At Puckpool park there are remains of a 19th century battery and leisure facilities including tennis courts, a bowling green, crazy golf, putting green and a children's playground.

Below the sea wall lies a fine golden sandy beach, which at low tide extends for hundreds of metres. This offers an excellent sunbathing and play area for children but care should be taken by parents of young children and non-swimmers, as the tide can turn very quickly and the low lying sand can be covered in minutes.