RYDE | destination Ryde Heritage Trail


If you’re interested in finding out more about the history of Ryde, a great starting point is the Ryde Social Heritage Group’s Audio Trail. Simply download the audio file to your MP3 player or smart phone and follow the directions given. There are 17 stops along the trail, each with a host of fascinating facts about the history of that specific area. The whole trail takes about two hours.


Below are a just few of our favourite facts.


(C) Ryde Social Heritage Group 2010 www.rshg.org.uk 2 St Thomas’ Square


“Sitting in St Thomas’ Square, facing down the hill towards the sea. Today you are in the centre of Ryde, a small, busy country town, but try to imagine this place in the early 1700s… You are in open countryside surrounded by fields and trees with a clear view across the Solent. You can see many merchant and navy ships, fishing boats and ferries, and the busy town of Portsmouth across the water.”


3 Upper Union Street


“The Gibbs family were active in Union Street from the 1820s; the Misses Gibbs ran a library, and their brother a pharmacy, later joined by Mr Gurnell. Union Street, formed 1801/2, was named to commemorate the Union of Britain and Ireland as well as Upper and Lower Ryde.”


4 Mid Union St


“Outside the Royal Victoria Arcade…Look up at the crest of Princess Victoria. This building was completed a year before Victoria became Queen, and this crest is quite rare. There are also two pineapples, one above each side door, which are a symbol of welcome. If you look inside the building, you will see at the rear an original stained glass window with the initials PV, for Princess Victoria.”


6 Ryde Pier


“In 1880, a third pier, for the railway was added, and in 1895, a concert pavilion was built at the Pier Head. During the yachting season, Ryde Pier was the place to be. Military Bands were regularly engaged to play there, and large crowds came to promenade.”


56 www.styleofwight.co.uk


illustration by Alan Rowe 10 Appley Estate and Tower


“Appley, a name which is even older than Ryde, first being recorded in 1219, and meaning the clearing where apple-trees grow. Appley housed a succession of seaside homes for the wealthy, St John’s, Appley Towers, St Clare, and Puckpool House – each with parkland running down to the sea.”


12 Ryde Castle Hotel


“During WW1 many grand private homes were offered for War Service and The Castle was adapted as a fully equipped Red Cross Hospital… During WW2 Ryde Castle Hotel was again used for the war effort as Army Headquarters.”


13 Coastguard Cottages


“These cottages were originally built as Ryde Coastguard Station and there is evidence of coastguards being here from the early 19th century... Smuggling was rife probably due to the large numbers of fishermen and longshoremen in the area… offences related to rum, brandy & spirits in quite large amounts… as well as the handling of tea and tobacco, and Hoarding and Aiding Contraband.”


15 Royal Victoria Yacht Club


“The magnificent, elegant mansion opened in 1847 with the Queen and Prince Albert as patrons and had many distinguished members… An exclusive and prestigious grand regatta took place every August attracting the English Gentry and dignitaries, as well as prominent foreign visitors… A second town regatta was held a month later for the ‘ordinary boatmen’ and people of the town.”


For more information visit www.rshg.org.uk/ryde-audio-trail.asp


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