Images by Alan

17 May 2012 25 views
 
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Tennyson Monument

Tennyson Monument

 

Tennyson Down is a hill at the west end of the Isle of Wight just south of Totland. Tennyson Down is a grassy, whale-backed ridge of chalk which rises to 482 ft/147m above sea level. Tennyson Down is named after the poet Lord Tennyson who lived at nearby Farringdon House for nearly 40 years. The poet used to walk on the down almost every day, saying that the air was worth 'sixpence a pint'.

 

It is part of the chalk ridge that forms the backbone of the Isle of Wight, this ridge extends to the west for 3 miles (4.8 km) where it ends with The Needles. To the east the hill descends gently down to Freshwater Bay where the sea has cut through the ridge. To the south is Highdown Cliffs, a near vertical chalk cliff drop of over 100 metres to the sea below.

The top of the Down is fairly flat and is predominately grass downland which provides a wide area for walking. There is some scrubland and small trees mainly on the northern side which is away from the prevailing wind.

The Down is owned and managed by the National Trust and is grazed by cattle and rabbits which ensures that its grass surface is closely cropped. It is open to the public.

 

At the top of the Down at a height of 147m stands a huge granite cross commemorating the life of Alfred Lord Tennyson. From here on a clear day it is possible to see Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Purbeck to the west, Yarmouth and Lymington to the north, and to the east, much of the Solent, Fawley Oil Refinery, a large part of the western half of the Isle of Wight, and St. Catherine's Point, 20 km away across Brighstone Bay. Surprisingly it is not possible to see the Needles from here as they are hidden beyond the next hill to the west which is known as West High Down.

The Tennyson Trail, an Isle of Wight footpath, passes right along Tennyson Down and also makes up part of the Isle of Wight Coast Path in this area.

 

Tennyson Down is one of the most significant downland sites in Britain. It forms the western end of the Tennyson Heritage Coast. It is part of the Headon Warren And West High Down SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and is part of the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Tennyson Monument

Tennyson Monument

 

Tennyson Down is a hill at the west end of the Isle of Wight just south of Totland. Tennyson Down is a grassy, whale-backed ridge of chalk which rises to 482 ft/147m above sea level. Tennyson Down is named after the poet Lord Tennyson who lived at nearby Farringdon House for nearly 40 years. The poet used to walk on the down almost every day, saying that the air was worth 'sixpence a pint'.

 

It is part of the chalk ridge that forms the backbone of the Isle of Wight, this ridge extends to the west for 3 miles (4.8 km) where it ends with The Needles. To the east the hill descends gently down to Freshwater Bay where the sea has cut through the ridge. To the south is Highdown Cliffs, a near vertical chalk cliff drop of over 100 metres to the sea below.

The top of the Down is fairly flat and is predominately grass downland which provides a wide area for walking. There is some scrubland and small trees mainly on the northern side which is away from the prevailing wind.

The Down is owned and managed by the National Trust and is grazed by cattle and rabbits which ensures that its grass surface is closely cropped. It is open to the public.

 

At the top of the Down at a height of 147m stands a huge granite cross commemorating the life of Alfred Lord Tennyson. From here on a clear day it is possible to see Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Purbeck to the west, Yarmouth and Lymington to the north, and to the east, much of the Solent, Fawley Oil Refinery, a large part of the western half of the Isle of Wight, and St. Catherine's Point, 20 km away across Brighstone Bay. Surprisingly it is not possible to see the Needles from here as they are hidden beyond the next hill to the west which is known as West High Down.

The Tennyson Trail, an Isle of Wight footpath, passes right along Tennyson Down and also makes up part of the Isle of Wight Coast Path in this area.

 

Tennyson Down is one of the most significant downland sites in Britain. It forms the western end of the Tennyson Heritage Coast. It is part of the Headon Warren And West High Down SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and is part of the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

comments (13)

  • Ray
  • Thailand
  • 17 May 2012, 00:43
I wonder if rock-climber photographers scale this prong and shoot scapes from the top?
An impressive monument - and I really enjoyed the narrative. I had no idea of this, what an awesome place!
I like your framing of this great monument Alan... there is a lot of history there....petersmile
  • Richard Trim
  • I am in Surrey for a few days
  • 17 May 2012, 06:33
I made the walk from our holiday place in Freshwater Bay to Tennyson Mount back in the mid 70's ... I felt like a spy as I stared through the high security wire fence of some military establishment perched on the cliffs over looking the Needles. Still had that resonance of the 'Cold War ' in the air.
  • Lisl
  • England
  • 17 May 2012, 08:54
I rememeber this was in a very windy spot - almost enough to blow you over when I was there, but it looks great on a calm day
A fine capture of a fine looking mounument Alan.
  • Philine
  • Germany
  • 17 May 2012, 10:13
Yes, the Isle of Wight is Tennyson's paradise - and I like that you post this monument on such a sunny day. I think a lot of people may be walking on the island an his footprints. I would do it, too.
We have had a wonderful meeting with the three stooges in my home town and the further Münsterland. The weather was mostly as good as you depicture.
----------
In my personal situation - my mother has died one week ago- and tomorrow is her funeral- I love to cite the following, comforting poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson:

Crossing The Bar by Lord Alfred Tennyson
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
Wow, very nice picture.
The low clouds make this seem like you are at the top of the world. Love this image for that feeling.
Very nice composition Alan, with the sense of space and perspective smile
A very nice monument Alan. You chose a great POV to capture it!
WOW! Awesome
I don't know this monument but I bet Maureen does, apparently her family had several holidays at Totland when she was young.

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