FREE
RYDE
TOWN MAP
RYDE – EASY TO REACH,
HARD TO EQUAL!
2017
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 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
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 ABOUT
Explore 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 2017 published by
Ryde Town Council
www.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
Designed & Printed by Crossprint 01983 524885 www.crossprint.co.uk
‘Silver Gilt’ Winner 2016
Entrant in Britain in Bloom 2016
Brought to you by Ryde Town Council
rydetowncouncil.gov.uk
GETTING TO RYDE
You 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.uk.
Wightlink Ferries operates a FastCat catamaran service to Ryde Pier Head
(journey time approximately 18 minutes) from Portsmouth Harbour (which is
served by direct mainline rail connections from London Waterloo, London
Victoria, Brighton, Bristol & Southampton)
For further details visit www.wightlink.co.uk
Onward Island Line rail services run from Ryde Pier Head, terminating at
Shanklin. These connect directly with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway on its
operating days.
For service and timetable details visit www.islandlinetrains.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.uk
Bus 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 RYDE
For details of places to stay in Ryde please visit www.rydetowncouncil.org.uk/local-information/local-directory/
USEFUL NUMBERS/CONTACTS
Ryde Town Council – located at 10 Lind Street, Ryde, 01983 811105
Ryde Visitor Information Point – Located in the Bus Station, Ryde Esplanade,
01983 562647
Tourism Help Point – at Ryde Pier Head
Southern Vectis, bus operators – www.islandbuses.info
Island Line trains – www.islandlinetrains.co.uk
Hospital including Accident and Emergency –
St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, 01983 524081
Doctors – Esplanade Surgery 0844 477 0940
Toilets – Seafront: Appley Park, Esplanade (east of Ryde Harbour, adjacent to
Cornwall Slip) and Western Esplanade (Adjacent to the pier); Town: St John’s Road
(junction with upper High Street). All have disabled facilities requiring RADAR keys.
Police – for non-emergencies call 0845 045 4­5 45
General Isle of Wight information: IW Council web site,
www.iwight.com, also w
­ ww.visitisleofwight.co.uk for accommodation and tourist
information.
A SHORT HISTORY OF RYDE
EVENTS CALENDAR
The 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.
Take some unforgettable memories home with you from Ryde events including:
23rd April
‘DRIVE IT DAY’
In conjunction with the IW Bus Museum • www.fbhvc.co.uk
Appley • www.ryderowingclub.co.uk
Appley Beach • Check Facebook page for details
www.rydabus.wordpress.com
Ryde Esplanade • www.armedforcesday.org.uk
13th May
14th May
20th & 21st May
17th June 17th & 18th June
30th June - 9th July
1st July 2nd July 2nd July
8th July
9th July
15th July 16th July RYDE ROWING CLUB ANNUAL REGATTA
BILL WEST’S ABSENT FRIENDS SANDCASTLE COMPETITION
ARMED FORCES DAY
FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS
Ryde Social Heritage Group Open Days • www.rshg.org.uk
RYDE ARTS FESTIVAL
In and around Ryde • www.rydeartsfestival.org
MARDI GRAS
In and around Ryde • www.thenewcarnivalcompany.com
SHIPWRECK ISLE
In and around Appley Park • www.visitisleofwight.co.uk
SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Vernon Square • www.vernonsquarepresevationsociety.co.uk
BEACH SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
UK Super Cup
English National Championships
Appley Beach • www.elite-soccer.co.uk www.iwbsa.com
IW PRIDE
In and around Ryde • www.iwpride.org
RYDE SLIDE
Union Street • www.rydeslide.uk
Western Gardens • www.twitter.com/rydefire2017
4th August - PARTY ON THE GREEN
6th August
Eastern Gardens • www.rotary-ribi.org
5th & 6th August RYDE FIRE STATION EVEREST 13 CHALLENGE 11th August - 13th August
12th August & 13th August 25th August - 28th August
29th August - 3rd September
JACK UP THE 80S
Smallbrook Stadium • www.jackupthe80s.co.uk
BEACH SOCCER YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS
English National Championships
Appley Castle • www.elite-soccer.co.uk www.iwbsa.com
IOW SCOOTER RALLY
In and around Ryde
MATTHEW’S FUNFAIR
Quay Road Car Park
RYDE CARNIVALS
Children’s Parade
Main Procession
Illuminated In and around Ryde • www.rydecarnival.com
Ryde Esplanade. Ring 02084397871
www.grantford.co.uk/the-isle-of-wight-classic-car-show
In and around Ryde • www.isleofwightday.com
30th August
31st August 2nd September 17th September
23rd September 14th & 15th October 20th - 24th October 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 fine ironwork. After Queen
Victoria adopted Osborne, a few miles along the coast, as a summer
residence so Ryde grew and many of its finest buildings, 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 leaflet
outlining the trail and an MP3 audio file can be downloaded at
www.rshg.org.uk/ryde-audio-trail.asp
RYDABUS RUNNING WEEKEND
INTERNATIONAL CAR FESTIVAL
IOW DAY PARADE
ANNUAL BEER AND BUSES
www.iwbeerandbuses.co.uk
IOW HARP FESTIVAL
In and around Ryde Town • www.harponwight.com
A fascinating history of the town can be found at the Ryde District
Heritage Centre 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 first 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.
Every effort has been made to ensure that listed event information is correct, but the publishers take n­ o 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.
KEY TO MAP LOCATIONS
Travelling to the Island
10. Trampolines, The Esplanade
22. The Depozitory, Nelson Street
11. Ryde District Heritage Centre, incorporating 23. Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum, Park
Hovertravel, Quay Road, The Esplanade
the Donald McGill Postcard Museum,
Road
Bus Station and Visitor Information Point
Royal Victoria Arcade, 56 Union Street
24. Isle of Wight Speedway, Smallbrook Stadium
Train Station with link to IW Steam Railway
12. Leo Leisure Bingo & Commodore Cinema,
25. Ryde Town Council, Lind Street
Taxi rank
Star Street
26. Ryde Library, George Street
Coach Drop off point, Victoria Street
13. Quarr Abbey and Tea Rooms
Wightlink Terminals
Parking, Toilet & Beach Facilities
14. Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet
Tourism Help Point, Ryde Pier Head
15. Ryde Skate Park, The Esplanade
P Parking
16. Ryde Marina Bowls Club, The Esplanade
Attractions and Entertainment­
WCPublic Conveniences
17. Rosemary Vineyard and Tearooms
1. Superbowl, The Esplanade
SB Safe Beach
18. St. Cecilia’s Abbey, Appley Rise
2. Peter Pan’s Playground, The Esplanade
FA First Aid
19. Anthony Minghella Tribute Square,
3. Waterside Pool, The Esplanade
Main shopping streets and eating out areas
John Street/High Street
4. Boating Lake, The Esplanade
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
24
Children’s paddling pool, The Esplanade
Appley Park, The Esplanade
Appley Tower, The Esplanade
Childrens play area
Ryde Harbour and Marina
14
20. Tennis, mini golf, putting and petanque,
located next to Puckpool Tea Gardens,
Puckpool Park
21. Wight Karting
located next to Tesco Extra, Brading Road.
17
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John Street
25
Cross Street
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Not to scale