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 celebrations:

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

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, bingo and live music venues.

Ryde Town Map 2015 published byRyde Town Councilwww.rydetowncouncil.gov.ukInclusion 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.ukDesigned & Printed by Crossprint 01983 524885 www.crossprint.co.uk

‘Silver Gilt’ Winner 2014

EVENTS CALENDARTake some unforgettable memories home with you from Ryde events including:

9 May 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY Puckpool Park

14 May THE PEARL IZUMI TOUR SERIES CYCLE RACE Ryde Town, see www.tourseries.co.uk

6 June RYDE ROWING CLUB ANNUAL HANTS & DORSET CHAMPIONSHIP ROWING REGATTA Appley Park and Beach, see www.ryderowingclub.co.uk

20 June ARMED FORCES DAY Appley Park

21 June RYDE ROTARY TRIATHLON Waterside Pool, see www.rotary-ribi.org

27 June RYDE ARTS FESTIVAL- 8 July See www.rydeartsfestival.org

27 June IOW MARDI GRAS In and around Ryde town, see www.thenewcarnivalcompany.com

4 July MUSIC IN A REGENCY GARDEN Vernon Square

11 & 12 WIGHTLIFE FOOD FESTIVALJuly Eastern Gardens

24 - 27 OPEN STUDIOS 2015July The Depozitory, see www.foalarts.org.uk

25 & 26 RYDE ROTARY PARTY ON THE GREENJuly Eastern Gardens

RYDE CARNIVAL26 Aug Children’s Parade at 3pm27 Aug Main Procession at 7pm5 Sept Illuminated Procession at 8.30pm See www.rydecarnival.com

28 - 31 41ST ISLAND STEAM SHOWAug Steam Railway, see www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

29, 30 & SCOOTER RALLY AND RIDEOUT31 Aug In and around Ryde

20 Sept INTERNATIONAL CHARITY CLASSIC CAR EXTRAVAGANZA Ryde Esplanade & North Walk, ring 020 8439 7871 for more information

7 - 11 HARP ON WIGHT FESTIVALOct see www.harponwight.com

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.

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.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.ukOnward 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

USEFUL NUMBERS/CONTACTSRyde Help Centre – located in Ryde Library, 101 George Street, 01983 812678, please ring for opening hours.Ryde Visitor Information Point – Located in the Bus Station, Ryde EsplanadeRyde Tourist Information Point – at Kollective Gifts, EsplanadeSouthern 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); Town: St John’s Road (junction with upper High Street) and Lind Street (adjacent to Ryde Theatre). All have disabled facilities.

Police – for non-emergencies call 0845 045 4 5 45General Isle of Wight information: IW Council web site, www.iwight.com, also www.visitisleofwight.co.uk for accommodation and tourist information.

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

Victoria adopted Osborne, a few miles along the coast, as a summer

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

www.rshg.org.uk/ryde-audio-trail.asp

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 12 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 and Bestival.

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.

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Travelling to the Island

1. 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 Terminals7. Ryde Tourist Information Point Kollective

Gifts, The Esplanade

Attractions and Entertainment 1. Planet Ice, The Esplanade2. Superbowl, The Esplanade3. Peter Pan’s Playground, The Esplanade4. Waterside Pool, The Esplanade5. Boating Lake, The Esplanade6. Children’s paddling pool, The Esplanade

7. Appley Park, The Esplanade8. Appley Tower, The Esplanade9. Childrens play area10. Ryde Harbour and Marina11. Trampolines, The Esplanade12. Ryde District Heritage Centre, incorporating

the Donald McGill Postcard Museum, Royal Victoria Arcade, 56 Union Street

13. Leo Leisure Bingo & Commodore Cinema, Star Street

14. Quarr Abbey and Tea Rooms15. Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet16. Ryde Skate Park, The Esplanade17. Ryde Marina Bowls Club, The Esplanade18. Rosemary Vineyard and Tearooms19. St. Cecilia’s Abbey, Appley Rise

20. Anthony Minghella Tribute Square, John Street/High Street

21. Tennis, mini golf, putting and petanque, located next to Puckpool Tea Gardens, Puckpool Park

22. Wight Karting located next to Tesco Extra, Brading Road.23. The Depozitory, Nelson Street

Parking, Toilet & Beach Facilities

P ParkingWC Public ConveniencesSB Safe BeachFA First Aid Main shopping streets and eating out areas

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