Just behind Farringford is Tennyson Down, an iconic chalk ridge that runs from east/west across the Isle of Wight. Tennyson Down is renowned for its panoramic views over the English Channel and the Solent. To the west lies The Needles, a series of chalk stacks jutting out into the sea. To the north, Lymington the New Forest and the mainland of England. On a clear day the Spinnaker Tower at Portsmouth Harbour is clearly visible in the north-east.
This grassy downland is named after Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who found inspiration in its wild and windswept landscape and breathtaking views.
On the highest part of the Down, stands Tennyson's Monument, a 22 meter (70ft) high granite cross erected in 1897 in honour of the poet. The inscription on it says: "In memory of Alfred Lord Tennyson this Cross is raised as a beacon to sailors by the people of Freshwater and other friends in England and America."
The monument is a popular destination for walkers, criss-crossed with well-maintained footpaths and at 482 ft/147m above sea level this is the highest part of the down. A popular walk starts at Freshwater Bay and follows the coastal footpath up to the monument and along the cliffs to the Needles and Alum Bay.
Tennyson Down is home to a great variety of wildlife with skylarks, ravens, peregrine falcons and buzzards regularly spotted and numerous seabirds such as blacked back gulls, fulmars and gannets. If you are lucky you may also see dolphins and seals in the waters below the cliffs, so a decent pair of binoculars are worth packing.
The soil on the downs is shallow and the underlying chalk is porous allowing rain to drain away quickly, so many of the plants are short grasses mixed with wildflowers. Cowslips, vetch, wild thyme and marjoram can all be found as well as orchids, including the rare bee orchid. It’s a great area for plant enthusiasts, especially in the spring and summer.
As well as its wildlife and literary connections, the down is also of historical significance with ancient burial mounds and evidence of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements. More recent history can be found at the rocket testing site at High Down, close to The Needles which was active from 1955 to the 1970s. The site was used for testing the Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets which were used to launch the Prospero satellite in Australia in 1971.
Walking up on to Tennyson Down can test your fitness, especially the long climb up to the monument, but the scenic views, natural beauty, historical interest and literary heritage make it a worthwhile trip for anyone visiting the Isle of Wight.