Wheelchair and pushchair friendly walks on the Isle of Wight - #2 Gurnard to Cowes

The walk from Gurnard to Cowes is flat and the pavement is wide

Several years ago, I wrote a guide to a walk from Bonchurch to Ventnor. I boldly named it part one of a series of pushchair and wheelchair friendly walks. Unfortunately, I rather forgot about this plan until someone emailed me asking where they could find parts two and three.

So, after a long delay, here’s part two. Let's hope it was worth the wait.

Part two starts in Gurnard, which is a pretty sailing village. The seafront at Gurnard has a hilly village green and a playground as well as rows of green beach huts.

At the time of writing, there is lots of free parking but there is talk of this disappearing. Search for The Woodvale pub at PO31 8LE on your sat nav to end up in roughly the right place. It's easiest to park at the bottom of the hill near to the last beach hut on your right as you face the sea. ​

Gurnard's green beach huts are always worth a photo

This walk is a simple one for pushchairs and wheelchairs but it’s also a good one for runners. I’d say the ideal time of day is on a summer’s evening as you get some terrific sunsets along this stretch of coastline.

As you face the sea, head right along Prince’s Esplanade which eventually turns into Egypt Esplanade.

The pavement is wide and pretty smooth, although it does have a bit of a lean to it at certain points.

After about three quarters of a mile you’ll see the start of a shingle beach and East Rosetta Cottage where Winston Churchill’s parent met. There’s a plaque on the pavement which you’ll walk over. After another quarter of a mile, you’ll reach a takeaway coffee place.

We particularly like wandering along during Cowes Week when there are yachts to watch. Most of the time you’ll be able to spot a container ship, a cruise ship or a buoy racer on a jetski

We usually turn round at this point, which makes for a walk of about two miles.

We usually turn round shortly after reaching the beach at Cowes

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Other Walks In The Wheelchair Friendly Trilogy

• Totland to Colwell
• Ventnor to Bonchurch