Freshwater Bay
Freshwater Bay is a small cove on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, which also gives its name to the nearby part of the village of Freshwater. Freshwater Bay is attractively fringed with chalk cliffs with some impressive stacks on its eastern side, Stag Rock to the west, Mermaid Rock to the East. The famous Arch Rock fell down during bad weather in August 1992.
There are two parts to Freshwater, the main town and Freshwater Bay. Freshwater is positioned at the western tip of the Island. The town offers a good range of quaint shops in the town centre, and like Yarmouth, Freshwater is busy all year round. It is the main shopping town for residents of the West Wight. There are a wealth of hotels and holiday centres, touring parks and self-catering cottages, which capitalise on the towering white cliffs, rolling downland and beautiful beaches at Freshwater Bay, Totland and Colwell.
Freshwater Bay is open to the Channel and takes the brunt of the prevailing winds in the winter months. Here you can see the rolling waves coming in from the Channel, crashing against the cliffs. In the summer months, however, the waters are calm and still and where the beach is pebbly, the waters are clear.
Freshwater has been attracting people for years. The Farringford Hotel was the home to Alfred Lord Tennyson, who wrote much of his work at this superb property, which looks out towards Freshwater Bay. It is as inspiring now as it was then.
Margaret Cameron, a noted Victorian photographer, attracted many members of Victorian society, whom she photographed at her home in Freshwater Bay. Dimbola Lodge is now a trust and preserves much of her work.
If you like walking, the West Wight area and Freshwater are for you. The downs at Tennyson and Freshwater are able to provide stunning views and scenery. You will be able to walk towards Alum Bay and pass this beautiful bay, with its deep blue, clear waters. When you get onto the downs, you can see the Needles, white spires of chalk which rise up from the sea with the lighthouse at the end. This lighthouse guides ships safely past the treacherous rocks. Whilst there, check out the battlements and concrete structures which were used to forward rocket science. The Black Knight Rocket was tested from here.