Ryde Town Trail

The trail is wheelchair and buggy friendly but be aware of some steep inclines and declines in St Thomas’ Street and Union Street. 

Distance: 3.2m return (approx. 1.25 hours) 

Start / finish at Appley Tower. 

This trail takes you through the heritage of Ryde. Starting with the story of the seascape and Ryde’s growing significance as a transport hub, it then leaps forward to Georgian and Victorian development when Ryde was the place to be. The trail includes the religious and municipal buildings along with the High Street where much remains to be spotted. Returning to the seaside, the trail includes Ryde’s relationship with the sea – holidays, smuggling and tragedy.  

Highlights include: Appley Tower, HMS Sirius Memorial, Stories of the Solent, Ryde Pier, Brigstocke Terrace, Churches, Market House, Town Hall and Theatre, Union Street, Esplanade, Coastguard Cottages, Royal Geroge memorials, Monktonmead Brook and Canoe Lake. 

Leaflets are available at Appley Tower. These show the routes and identify the heritage points. Alternatively, you can download the map and the heritage stories and descriptions. Full of super photos these are available as pdfs and we recommend downloading before your visit.