Putting Your Heart into Walking
On Saturday 5th September 2026 fourteen people from the Equals IW Friends and Family Group joined Mark in Ventnor to explore the second half of the Armada Coastline Trail.
The walk started at Ventnor Cricket Club where a game of afternoon cricket was in full play. Mark led the group down a short road leading to the coastal pathways just above the beautiful Steephill Cove. Here the group joined the cliff top coastal path through overhanging trees to pass the outskirts of the Ventnor Botanic Garden. A hidden gem on the Isle of Wight, it is set in a unique micro-climate that is around five degrees warmer than the rest of the UK. The group passed the site of the old Royal Hospital for Diseases of the Chest.
Mark took the group along a short inland pathway to walk through the village of St Lawrence. The village is set in the natural surroundings of the Undercliff on the south coast of the island to the south west of Ventnor. As the group passed through the village they explored St Lawrence Parish Church.
The group then re-joined the second half of the tranquil Armada Coastal Trail to Woody Point which overlooks Woody Bay. On reaching the cliffs the group had a special treat as they watched the PS Waverley steam across the bay beneath a clear, cloudless sky. PS Waverly is the last seagoing passenger carrying paddle steamer in the world and it looked magnificent against the deep blue sea..
The route then led everyone along the coastal cliff pathway, passing outstanding countryside views of the inland chalk cliffs with the woodland trees of St Lawrence and Ventnor Undercliff. Walking back along the top of the coastal cliff pathway the group admired the views of St Richards Cove, Steephill Cove, Castle Cove and Ventnor Bay.
The walk finished by visiting tranquil Steephill Cove where everyone relaxed and enjoyed the sea view. Sitting in the warm sunshine with refreshments was a lovely way to end the walk.
Each person walked 4 Miles, 6.5km, burned around 425 calories and completed 10,200 steps. The walk also helped all support their emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health. Those attending were able to spend time together in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. The walk gave people a chance to get out of the house, meet new people and enjoy time with friends.
The The Armada Coastline Trail and Steephill Cove Walk is one of the activities of Green Time which is a Partnership Programme between Equals IW, MCEnhancement and Isle of Wight Council Adult and Community Learning Small Grants Funding.
We took photos
Green Time a fun, informal way using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.