Ryde Town Map 2018 published by Ryde Town Councilwww.rydetowncouncil.gov.uk

Inclusion in this map does not represent endorsement of any specific business or facility by RTC.

Map illustration by Potting Shed Cartoons www.potting-shed-cartoons.co.uk

RYDE – EASY TO REACH, HARD TO EQUAL!Hop across the Solent in less than 20 minutes for an Isle of Wight getaway in the ‘town on the beach’. Laid-back escape, pristine beaches stretching for miles, quality shopping, splendid architecture, and unforgettable memories.

All this, and more, awaits you in Ryde, where the mainland seems close enough to touch you yet too distant to intrude. Ryde, the gateway to the Island, caters for any mood and all tastes – lively or chilled out; quiet retreat or mass revelry; relaxed dining in the elegant café bars and restaurants offering international cuisine, or al fresco fish and chips as they are meant to be relished – from the wrapper with a cooling sea breeze stimulating your appetite!

Get the most from your visit – day trip, or extended break – with this souvenir map as your travelling companion to help you get your bearings and guide your exploration.

OUT AND ABOUTExplore the seafront for attractions including children’s play areas, indoor swimming pool, boating lake, ten pin bowls, skate park and fantastic family beaches. Wander into town for an impressive selection of independent shops and restaurants unique to Ryde. We also have an independent cinema, arts and live music venues.

Ryde Town Map 2018 published by Ryde Town Councilwww.rydetowncouncil.gov.uk

Inclusion in this map does not represent endorsement of any specifi c business or facility by RTC.

Map illustration by Potting Shed Cartoons www.potting-shed-cartoons.co.uk

RyDe – EaSy To ReAcH, HaRd To EqUaL!Hop across the Solent in less than 20 minutes for an Isle of Wight getaway in the ‘town on the beach’. Laid-back escape, pristine beaches stretching for miles, quality shopping, splendid architecture, and unforgettable memories.

All this, and more, awaits you in Ryde, where the mainland seems close enough to touch you yet too distant to intrude. Ryde, the gateway to the Island, caters for any mood and all tastes – lively or chilled out; quiet retreat or mass revelry; relaxed dining in the elegant café bars and restaurants offering international cuisine, or al fresco fi sh and chips as they are meant to be relished – from the wrapper with a cooling sea breeze stimulating your appetite!

Get the most from your visit – day trip, or extended break – with this souvenir map as your travelling companion to help you get your bearings and guide your exploration.

OuT AnD AbOuTExplore the seafront for attractions including children’s play areas, indoor swimming pool, boating lake, ten pin bowls, skate park and fantastic family beaches. Wander into town for an impressive selection of independent shops and restaurants unique to Ryde. We also have an independent cinema, arts and live music venues.

A ShOrT HiStOrY Of RyDeThe town of Ryde grew, in Georgian times, from the two small communities of Lower Ryde (down by the shore where boat building and ferrying to and from the mainland were the main activities) and Upper Ryde, whose long street was a drovers road leading to the pasture on the downs and which was bordered by small holdings and farms.

In the late 18th Century the town developed as a resort for sea bathing and walking. The town’s proximity to Portsmouth was convenient for those who had naval responsibilities. The resident gentry had stylish, new houses which were built incorporating curved glass windows in bowed bays and fi ne ironwork. After Queen Victoria adopted Osborne, a few miles along the coast, as a summer residence so Ryde grew and many of its fi nest building, such as All Saints’ Church designed by Gilbert Scott, were built to serve the growing population. While leading families commissioned splendid houses, some with beach frontages, the commercial centre of the town grew to offer places of worship, a town hall, hostelries, department stores, and an arcade of smaller shops to serve a discerning trade. Ryde Social Heritage Group has developed the Ryde Heritage Audio Trail which is a guided walk around Ryde exploring 17 places of historic interest along the way. The walk is accessible for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. A leafl et outlining the trail and an MP3 audio fi le can be downloaded at www.rshg.org.uk/ryde-audio-trail.asp

A fascinating history of the town can be found at the Museum of Ryde in Union Street, see www.historicrydesociety.com for details of exhibitions and opening times, or turn up and have a look as they are open most days. The Centre now houses the world-famous Donald McGill postcard collection (attraction number 11 on map).

The building of the Pier and the railway connection opened a regular and reliable contact with the mainland. Ryde has been a destination for famous visitors such as Karl Marx, Oscar Wilde and many of the crowned heads of Europe. Each year now, as the gateway to the Island, Ryde is the arrival point for more than two million visitors, including thousands en route to the Isle of Wight Festival.

To celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee the townspeople staged their fi rst carnival, a proud tradition that has continued to this day. It brings thousands of spectators to the town for parades in late June, known as the Midsummer Mardi Gras, and for the town’s famous carnival culminating in the Grand Finale of all Carnivals on the Island at the end of the summer holidays.

GeTtInG To RyDeYou can be in Ryde in next to no time via two fast passenger routes which operate across the Solent.

Hovertravel’s hovercraft service runs from Southsea to Ryde seafront, a journey of approximately ten minutes. Large pay and display car park facilities, with short and long-stay provision, are available close to the Southsea hovercraft terminal. A Hoverbus link is available for rail travellers from Portsmouth & Southsea station to the hovercraft terminal (there is a charge for this). For further details visit www.hovertravel.co.ukWightlink Ferries operates a FastCat catamaran service to Ryde Pier Head (journey time approximately 18 minutes) from Portsmouth Harbour (which is served by district mainline rail connections from London Waterloo, London Victoria, Brighton, Bristol & Southampton).For further details visit www.wightlink.co.ukOnward Island Line rail services run from Ryde Esplanade, terminating at Shanklin. These connect directly with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway on its operating days. For service and timetable details visit www.islandlinestrains.co.uk (follow the links to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway operating days and timetable information).For mainland rail travel and connection information and timetables visit www.southwesttrains.co.ukBus services run from Ryde to other areas of the Island. A taxi-rank is situated on Ryde Esplanade. A map showing travel links to the Isle of Wight is available from www.isleofwightcrp.co.uk

StAyInG In RyDeFor details of places to stay in Ryde please visit: www.rydetowncouncil.org.uk/local-information/local-directory

UsEfUl NuMbErS/CoNtAcTsRyde Town Council - Located at 10 Lind Street, Ryde, 01983 811105Ryde Visitor Information Point - Located in the Bus Station, Ryde Esplanade, 01983 562647Southern Vectis, bus operators – www.islandbuses.infoIsland Line trains – www.islandlinetrains.co.ukHospital including Accident and Emergency – St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, 01983 524081Doctors – Esplanade Surgery 0844 477 0940Toilets – Seafront: Appley Park, Esplanade (east of Ryde Harbour, adjacent to Cornwall Slip) and Western Esplanade (adjacent to the pier); St John’s Road (junction with upper High Street). All have disabled facilities requiring RADAR keys.Police – For non-emergencies call 0845 045 45 45General Isle of Wight information: IW Council web site, www.iwight.com, also www.visitisleofwight.co.uk for accommodation and tourist information.

EvEnTs CaLeNdAr

22 April DrIvE It DaY www.iwbusmuseum.org.uk

29 April BiLl WeSt’S ‘AbSeNt FrIeNdS’ SaNdCaStLe CoMpEtItIoNAppley Beach • Check Facebook page for details.

19 - 20 May

RyDaBuS www.rydabus.com

2 June RyDe RoWiNg ClUb, AnNuAl ReGaTtAAppley Beach, Ryde • www.ryderc.org/regatta/

9 June Uk WoMeN’S AnD MeN’S BeAcH SoCcEr SuPeR CuPAppley Beach, Ryde • www.elite-soccer.co.uk

29 June – 9 July

RyDe ArTs FeStIvAlIn and around Ryde • www.rydeartsfestival.org

30 June MaRdI GrAs In and around Ryde • www.thenewcarnivalcompany.co.uk

1 & 22 July NaTiOnAl SeNiOr LeAgUe - BeAcH SoCcEr Appley Beach, Ryde • www.elite-soccer.co.uk

8 July ShIpWrEcK IsLeAppley Beach, Ryde • www.facebook.com/Shipwreckisle/

21 July Iw PrIdE, HoStInG Uk PrIdE Events in and around Ryde and on Appley Beach www.iwpride.org

22 July WiGhTlInK RyDe SlIdE Union Street, Ryde • www.rydeslide.uk

3 - 5 Aug PaRtY On ThE GrEeNEastern Gardens, Ryde • www.rotary-ribi.org

10 Aug ThE MaGiC Of MoToWn UnDeR ThE StArSSmallbrook Stadium Ryde www.jackupthe80s.co.uk/the-magic-of-motown/

11 - 12 Aug JaCk Up ThE 80’SSmallbrook Stadium, Ryde • www.jackupthe80s.co.uk

23 - 26 Aug ScOoTeR RaLlYRyde Esplanade • www.visitisleofwight.co.uk

25 Aug WiGhT WaVe BeAcH SoCcEr SpOrTs CuPsAppley Beach, Ryde • www.elite-soccer.co.uk

29 Aug ChIlDrEn’S CaRnIvAl Ryde Esplanade • www.rydecarnival.com

30 Aug MaIn RyDe CaRnIvAlRyde Esplanade • www.rydecarnival.com

1st Sep IlLuMiNaTeD CaRnIvAlRyde Esplanade • www.rydecarnival.com

16th Sep InTeRnAtIoNaL CaR ShOwRyde Esplanade • www.grantford.co.uk/the-isle-of-wight-classic-car-show

13- 14 Oct IsLaNd WiDe BeEr, BuSeS AnD WaLkS WeEkEnDwww.iwbusmuseum.org.uk

26 - 30 Oct HaRp On WiGhT FeStIvAlEvents in and around Ryde • www.harponwight.co.uk

Every effort has been made to ensure that listed event information is correct, but the publishers take no responsibility for the accuracy of dates and details and advise you to contact organisers or visit their web sites before planning visits to coincide with events.

Appley Beach

West Street

Fishbourne Lane

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KEY TO MAP LOCATIONSTRAVELLING TO THE ISLAND1. Hovertravel, Quay Road, The Esplanade2. Bus Station and Visitor Information Point3. Train Station with link to IW Steam Railway4. Taxi Rank5. Coach Drop off point, Victoria Street6. Wightlink Terminals

ATTRACTIONS AND ENTERTAINMENT1. Superbowl, The Esplanade2. Peter Pan’s Playground, The Esplanade3. Waterside Pool, The Esplanade4. Boating Lake, The Esplanade5. Children’s Paddling Pool, The Esplanade6. Appley Park, The Esplanade7. Appley Tower, The Esplanade8. Children’s Play Area9. Ryde Harbour and Marina10. Trampolines, The Esplanade

11. The Museum of Ryde, incorporating the Donald McGill Postcard Museum, Royal Victoria Arcade, 56 Union Street

12. Leo Leisure Bingo & Commodore Cinema, Star Street

13. Quarr Abbey and Tea Rooms14. Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet15. Ryde Skate Park, The Esplanade16. Ryde Marina Bowls Club, The Esplanade17. Rosemary Vineyard and Tearooms18. St. Cecilia’s Abbey, Appley Rise19. Anthony Minghella Tribute Square,

John Street/High Street20. Tennis, Mini golf, putting and petanque, located

next to Puckpool Tea Gardens, Puckpool Park21. Wight Karting

located next to Tesco Extra, Brading Road22. Isle of Wight Distillery Tour, Pondwell Hill23. Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum, Park Road

24. Isle of Wight Speedway, Smallbrook Stadium25. Ryde Town Council, Lind Street26. Ryde Library, George Street27. Goodleaf Tree Climbing, Appley Park 28. Network Ryde, 147 High Street PARKING, TOILET & BEACH FACILITIESP ParkingWC Public ConveniencesSB Safe BeachFA First Aid (School summer holidays only) E Electric Car Charging

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Esplanade

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Elenors Grove

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