SPENCER ROAD, RYDE.—It is an advantage for a town to possess pleasant shady walks within a short distance of its main streets. Ryde is favoured in this respect. Within five minutes' walk from the Town Hall, passing St. James' Church, is Spencer Road. It is a favourite promenade, enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. A morning stroll in spring when birds are singing from every bush and tree is very delightful. It is a fine avenue extending several hundred yards and opening out into the main road to Newport. By entering the gate on the right at the junction, the walk may be continued past Binstead Church through Quarr Wood to Quarr Abbey.
Ryde, from the Pier.
RYDE, FROM THE PIER.—The situation of the town is favourable as a principal entrance to the Island, the passage from Portsmouth by steamboat occupying about twenty minutes. The Pier (toll 2d.) is 4,000 feet in length, and is in three portions—for pedestrians and boating, electric railway, and the Isle of Wight Railway. There is a fine pavilion and bandstand at the end. Crowds of people find a never failing source of interest on the pier, yachting, boating, and fishing. On summer afternoons it is a gay and charming scene. The town is built on a gentle slope, and the houses command fine and extensive views. It has the largest population of any town in the Island, about 11,000 inhabitants.
Apley Tower, Ryde.
APLEY TOWER, RYDE.—Within one and a half miles of Ryde the wall is a continuation of the Esplanade in the direction of Spring Vale and Sea View. The wall furnishes a means of defence against the encroachment of the sea, as well as a thoroughfare for pedestrian traffic. Bicycles are also used on it to some extent. When the tide is out a wide stretch of sands is exposed, and crowds of children use it as a pleasure ground, finding beautiful seaweed and shells. The walk can be continued round the further point into Sea View.
Totland Bay.
TOTLAND BAY.—This charming resort has sprung into prominence and grown very fast during the last few years. Many of the houses are very picturesque and beautiful for situation, most of them with red-tiled roofs, which when toned a little more by time will be very beautiful among the trees. There is a pier, and during summer a regular service of boats from Lymington, as well as excursion traffic. The beach is steep and so you can bathe at any state of the tide. A reading-room on the shore is much patronised. The Green Cliff Walk is very delightful, and as the channel here is narrow there is a never-failing interest in the ships that pass in and out quite near. The front lacks shade in the hottest days of summer. It has great interest for the geological student, being close to Headon Hill and Alum Bay.