Welcome to the Home Page of the Freshwater Bay Residents' Association,

Isle of Wight, United Kingdom.

Freshwater Bay is a small coastal inlet in the beautiful western end of the Isle of Wight. The Island is situated off the coast of southern England close to the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth. The Bay was once known as Freshwater Gate as it is the only significant break in the line of cliffs extending from the Needles to the west and Shanklin in the east. The chalk ridge running along the south coast of England is very dominant in the west of the Island and the Bay cuts into this to create two local downs, Tennyson to the west and Afton to the east.

 The Bay has a man made promenade on top of a barrier that prevents the sea from joining with the river Yar and making the western end an  island. On the other side of the public car park at the Bay Afton Marsh extends down towards the head of the River Yar. This is a small but  important wetland that is of great interest to naturalists and botanists. The Bay is part of the area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and is  surrounded by farm land and areas owned by the National Trust. Apart from the Bay itself the local area boasts fine unspoilt beaches, scenic walks and a real "get away from it all" atmosphere. It is a compliment to the area that it is not only popular amongst tourists, but is also visited by other islanders.

With the mild maritime climate created by the fact that the Solent and English Channel are only one mile apart at this point, it is a popular place for active residents. Frosts do not last in the winter and snow fall is rare. With no heavy industry locally the air has a clarity that is much sought after by photographers and astronomers. Rainfall is low but frontal winds can create spectacular waves. These result in ideal surfing conditions within the Bay and along the coast a little at Compton Bay.

On the western end of the Bay, the bluff is dominated by the remains of Fort Redoubt, one of a series of Forts built by Lord Palmerston along the Island shore. These were built in the mid 19th centry as defence against the French. With the large maritime ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, the Island was seen as a first line of defence. The visible building is now a private home but was for many years a cafe. Lower down is Freshwater Bay House, a hotel and hostel mainly catering for walkers ( HF Holidays ). It is useful to note that the drive way up to the hostel starts at the bus stop for Freshwater Bay and also has beside it some public toilets! Behind the Bay sea defence is the public car park. At the western end of the promenade is the Albion Hotel, which also owns the tea rooms opposite. Beyond the car park is the Sandpipers Hotel and Fat Cat bar. A number of Bed and Breakfast businesses can be found along Afton Road which links the Bay with Freshwater village.

 Along the promenade is sited the Freshwater Bay Lifeboat Station. This is not part of the RNLI service and so relies on public donation and the  takings from shop sales. There are two boats stationed here, both being rigid inflatables. The larger " Spirit of the West Wight" was first launched  in July 2000 being 8.8 metres long with a cabin and powered by twin outboards.The lifeboat is on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week, an  all year service! Lifeboat crew practice takes place on Sunday mornings when a crew member, if asked nicely, would be happy to show visitors around the lifeboat and station. Beyond the steps at the eastern end of the promenade steps lead up onto the start of Afton Down. The coastal path follows the line of the Military Road as it makes it way upwards and then down to Compton Bay. Above the Military Road is Freshwater Golf Course, an very scenic round and demanding in a good breeze.

Taking Gate Lane, a name change for the Military Road as it heads westwards for Alum Bay, the first point of interest is Dimbola Lodge. This was the home of Julia Margaret Cameron, a pioneer lady photographer and now a museum. Mrs Cameron was a friend of Alfred, Lord Tennyson and recorded a number of portraits of his visitors as well as making up scenes based on his poems. The museum stages temporary exhibitions as well as holding permanent exhibits from Mrs Cameron and a pictorial history of the Isle of Wight Pop festivals.

 Heading further along Gate Lane a popular photographic location is St Agnes' church, one of only eight remaining thatched churches left in the  British Isles. Beyond that is the Freshwater Bay Post Office and a quintessentially English corner shop called "Orchards". The road to the left  carries  on to Alum Bay and some one kilometer from the Bay is the Farringford Hotel.

 This was the home of Alfred, Lord Tennyson when he was poet laureate to Queen Victoria. This is as far as the Residents' Association extends  but anybody travelling along Bedbury Lane and onwards will eventually come to Alum Bay and probably the Isle of Wight's most famous  landmark, The Needles.  

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