Tennyson Down
Tennyson Down, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight PO39
It’s a steep walk up Tennyson Down from Freshwater Bay, but the views from the 147-metre-high granite monument at the top more than repay the effort. The stone cross that tops the headland is dedicated to the poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who lived in the village of Freshwater, beneath the Down, and regularly walked up here to be inspired by the view. And inspiring it is. On a clear day, you can see over to the mainland as far as Bournemouth in the west, and Portsmouth in east, as well as over the entire western coast of the island, including down towards the Needles. The energetic can continue to walk for another hour or so along the path to The Needles, via two Gun Batteries (the Old Battery and the New Battery), both run by the National Trust, and both with similarly stunning views.
