Grey heron wading among white swans on a shallow lagoon, with grassy dunes and seaside houses in the background

Sturt Pond

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Sturt Pond

Sturt Pond is a tidal inlet and a fantastic place to see a wide range of birds.

For a shorter walk, staying on surfaced paths, head west (keeping the sea on your left) and saunter past the bowling green with views of the White House before heading back to the car park and café. The walk takes in views of the Isle of Wight ‘Needles’ – chalk formations known as stacks. They take their name from a large needle-shaped pillar that was part of the group until 1764, when it collapsed in a storm. The treacherous area around The Needles has caused numerous wrecks, going back hundreds of years.

Sturt Pond Accessible
Sturt Pond
Route Accessible Walk
Length 1.5 miles
Duration 1 hour

Walk details

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Start/finish

Hurst Road East Amenity Car Park. Grid reference SZ 276 918 what3words.com/structure.showering.skyrocket

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Ordnance survey map

Explorer OL 22 New Forest

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Distance

5 miles (2.4 km) – 1-2 hours

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Local facilities

The car park has nine accessible bays, easy access toilets and a café

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Accessibility

This route uses pavement and quiet roads before heading onto gravel. Some wheelchair and mobility scooter users may have difficulty where the gravel is loose in these areas

Points of interest

Select the points on the map to discover highlights along the route, including scenic views, wildlife spots, and places of local interest.

Sturt Pond

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Directions

From the Cafe and the adjacent car park, keep the sea on your right and follow the tarmac path up to the road. Follow the pavement along the road until the surfaced path ends, then cross over the road and head towards the restaurant.

Continue past the restaurant, through the car park and onto the wide dirt and shingle track, alongside Sturt Pond. Follow the path alongside Sturt Pond, passing by the first wooden bridge. Continue along the path until you reach a second wooden footbridge.

From the bridge head right, up the short shingle ramp to enjoy the spectacular coastal view. You can retrace your steps or walk on top of the shingle bank for coastal views. On returning, you can take the upper path by the beach huts, past the bowling green for a longer walk and access to public toilets.

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Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.

Keep your distance from the animals and don't feed or pet them - you may be fined.