The Walk - EP 37 - Merstone Junction To Ventnor West - Isle Of Wight
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- Опубликовано: 14 авг 2023
- I grew up on the Isle of Wight, just off the south coast of England. The Island used to have 33 stations and 55 miles of railways, despite only being 26 miles by 13 miles in size.
These old railway lines used to be my playground, and so over the next few months, I'll be exploring them all over again, and taking you with me.
In the first of many walks around the Isle of Wight railways, me and my Dad tackle the Newport, Godshill and St Lawrence Railway from where it left the Newport to Sandown line at Merstone Junction, all the way to the coast at Ventnor.
Every station on this branch has remains, with only Merstone without a surviving station building.
Despite being the first Island line to close in 1952, there are bridges, embankments, platforms and even a 600 yard tunnel that we managed to get through.
Believe it or not, even the sun was shining.
*Made some merch for the railway fans like myself. Can check out the shop here - www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/E...
**Also head to www.supremecbd.uk and use the code 'GI40' for 40% off everything.
What a smashing day out for some Father-Son bonding ?? ..... Brilliant!!! 😀
Amazing how quickly nature recaptures the land. Thank you for showing and documenting this bygone era. The old black and white vids/pics really give us a sense of how it used to look back then. Lovely walk.🙏❤️
Thank you very much!
🤗This is funny! Gareth you are a special being, just saying, and do a fantastic job of delivering stories of life. For those that don't know, David is my former husband and I remember David could not wait to show me around the Isle of Wight when I first arrived in circa 1998 and fell in love with it, especially the steam trains. Love them! Thank you David and Gaz for this walk about. I like the good memories. And as far as mushrooms? Well, I'll share a tidbit here ... David did mushrooms with me for the first time on the Island .. another story. I'm writing my memoirs and David played a big role in my life. No matter what .. one thing I agree on is the uncovering of our human experience and the lies we were dealt. Keep 'walking' 👣
What a lovely comment to read. I do remember you pam , from a documentary some time back, it's lovely to read such generous, warm , heart felt comments. 🙏 I'll follow your story with interest 😊
As a newbie to the island I really enjoyed that. It was lovely that you were with your dad as he is nothing less than a British icon.
Cheers mate. Hopefully get out for another few stomps together in the near future. Isle of Wight railways and the Great Central, are his thing.
Steephill castle always fascinates me. Great video
Cheers mate!
I first met your dad some 15-20 years ago, its so nice to see you both absolutely nerding out over steam railways, it shows people that you do indeed get a small slice of "me time" from the crap were battling through in these times. Cant wait for the next one mate nice one.
Thanks Gareth and David
Have Dad Will Travel down very long spooky train tunnels! You guys faced the mushroomy darkness with joy and historic candor. Loved it! Thanks for the walk!
Thanks mate
I like this so much i like Train i saw this is great and very nice area and green and walking.Thank you ❤
Thank you!
The family resemblance between you two , is uncanny.
An interesting walk and talk .
I've taken my two Romanian rescue dogs , along some of the Merstone trail . We've yet to go the whole hog . There's no end of discovering good walks on the island 😊
Blessings from Newport 🐕🐕
Cheers mate. Can't wait to do more island walks!
We had a disused railway line next to our cottage as a child. Mum would send us kids out to collect wild strawberries along the old line to then be served with Carnation Milk. A real treat!
Thanks both. 💕
This was a fantastic walk (although that tunnel was a bit creepy) and so great to see you spending time with Papa Bear doing something you’re both so passionate about - lovely ❤
What a charming watch this is. Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you 😊
Thanks Gareth & David, I moved to Ryde a few years ago & never new of this walk
Brilliant video G, I also have a love for the islands old railways. Your dad looks well!
Brilliant video, very informative, will see what others you have done. I remember your dad from tv sports reports and news in the midlands. He is really fit, walking and talking up those hills. Island life for you.
Thank you!
I remember the massive embankment crossing a field, visible from the road.
No wonder most of the network was an early casualty, so rural ! Im jealous of that tunnel walk..will have to even the score out on that one, soon....😄
Loved that.
Thank you!
Aww, I especially love watching these featuring you and your dad x
Just subbed. Really nice to see you out and about with your dad. So good to see you both doing something you are both so enthusiastic about. I do simular with my son on our channel. Love trains and exploring. I have respected your dad for decades. Keep it up.
Thanks mate. Will do likewise!
@@IckeWalks Thanka Gareth. Be well.
I remember in the 60's going on holiday to the Isle of Wight with a liad of other yoofs .. We had the old weekly Rover tickets and used thrm to death on the old Steam Trains which went a whole lot further than they do now ...... Those were the days 👍🤠
I don’t think it’s been mentioned elsewhere that for most (all?) of its life, hardly any trains ran through from Newport to Ventnor West. Passengers had to change at Merstone, the island platform being very useful for this purpose. Lovely video.
Is that so? Just the Newport to sandown line and Ventnor merston as a shuttle?
Hello Gareth it is great to see you with your dad I love The Isle of Wight I used to go every year to The of Wight with my family really good place I am loving the content keep up the good work take care peace and love xx
This is a really lovely walk.
Good video . When I’m on the island I like to walk the disused railway lines , I cycled Sandown to Cowes a few years back when I was fitter and last year we went to the former station at Yarmouth . Well done for doing the long walk here , I hope you had a nice comfortable ride back !
Yarmouth is lovely! Thank you!
Superb video walk Keep it up
Thanks Rob.
Loved this ❤
The great outdoors , wonderful , love the old trains !
♥️
Beautiful walk and so well delivered. THANK YOU .
I was brought up on the isle of wight in the 70s early 80s; Appuldurcome camp site. (which my father managed), Bonchurch ( right on the sea front) and gunvile, carisbrooke , where the Newport to freshwater line went through.
Many wonderful memories came flooding back of walking the lines including the tunnel with my father and brother. Thank you both for the reliving.
I akso remember stories/ myth's;) from school ("ventor middle") of what some people from ventnor, including the many influential / high powered, vistors use to endulge in
Very enjoyable. Looking forward to more walks on the island.
Here is a thought for you. Why was there such a large station in Whitwell? A large structure with 2 platforms and a passing loop. Not only that, a large hotel just outside, for 1 man and a cow?
Awesome video fascinating to get history from your dad again like in the Leicestershire video you did a bit back always had interest in Isle of Wight as was one of places my late Nan and grandad went to numerous times after the war hope everyone well 😊another epic video
Love. Said hello in York. Respect 🙏
This is great, thanks for putting together
A friend of mine used to live in converted stabled near Ventnor West.
It's a lovely place.
Dock leaves - undeniable proof of God
Maybe the chalk geology manifests the Wights. Stone Tape style
We’ve just watched your video, ❤ and my husband recognises your dad, but we have no idea where from? 😂
Used to be on the telly!
Many investigators are now saying these structures were built by a previous civilisation and repurposed as railways .
❤️👍
David is your father ? He lives just round the corner from me, not seen him in a while though.
Yeah. Still on the Isle.
great video, there's a nice section of trackbed between St Lawrence and Ventnor West (above Inglewood Park road, ending at Pelham Road) which can still be walked, not obvious unless your local though.
Ah really? That's annoying! Ha.
Just found on google maps. Not sure how I missed that! Tiredness probably!
@@IckeWalks it must be one of the least walked sections of trackbed but worth a look if your in the area again
Economic or not, now the Island is paying big time, with narrow lanes clogged with traffic.