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Totland Bay, Isle of WightBeach and Pier |
Please click thumbnails forlarger picture.
Old postcards are sometimes poorly produced and grainy, I've done my best to scan them.
Dates are from the card or my estimate (where possible). The maker of the card is shown in brackets (where available).
'Totland Bay is in great favour with those who love a holiday resort of the restful type, yet within easy reach of the outer world. The air is particularly bracing, and though partaking in the softness of that of the Undercliff has none of its relaxing qualities. This is not surprising when one considers that, as local advertisements put it, Totland Bay has 'four thousand miles of ozone constantly pouring upon it' from the Atlantic.
From the Ward Lock guide of 1933
The Downs (hill) between Alum Bay and Totland Bay is known as Headon Warren. from the top of it you get a sweeping view over Totland Bay, Colwell Bay and the Solent towards the Cowes and the mainland.
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| View over Totland and Colwell Bays from Headon Warren, 1928. Fort Albert may be seen in the background. (Marfleet) | The Hermitage, Cliff Road, Totland. Now a hotel, probably from about 1950. (Merwood) |
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View across the bay showing the lifeboat house in the foreground. There was a lifeboat here from 1878 to 1924, when it was moved to Yarmouth. Dated 1911. (Tuck) |
Looking over Totland Bay, undated. (Dean) |
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Footpath to Totland Bay, from around 1930. (Marfleet) |
Totland Bay, an artistic view, probably from the 1930's by A R Quinton. (Salmon) |
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A steamer at Totland Pier, with Hurst Castle in the background. Undated. (Nigh) |
Rustic Bridge leading to Totland shore, probably around 1910. (Ideal) |
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| Looking towards Totland pier, 1910. (G.G.) | Looking along the pier, 1910, Totland Bay Hotel at the back. (Ideal) |
Totland pier was built in 1880 by the Totland Hotel and Pier Company and its fortunes were very much connected with theirs. It was originally intended to be 550 feet long, but was only built to 450 feet. It was described as:
"a small landing pier of a light girder framework on cast iron columns and carried a minimum of appointments. There is only a small shelter on the head and a tiny amusement pavilion at its shore end."
Its main use was for pleasure steamers and this continued well into the 1960's. A bigger shelter was built at the head during refurbishment in the 50's With the decline of the traditional holiday trade, the steamers no longer called and the associated hotel was demolished. The pier was sold, but none of the owners kept it in state usable by the general public. It is maintained by the current owner to stop any further deterioration. The shelter at its head is used by him as an art studio. It is not open to the public.
Totland Bay Hotel was opened in 1880. It was intended to extend the railway from Freshwater to Totland, and there was also a plan to build a railway tunnel to the mainland (the hotel proprietor was one of the promoters). The hotel fell foul of Fire Regulations in 1972 and was demolished in about 1980. The site was used for housing.
An advert for the hotel (from the early part of the century):
Totland Bay Hotel and Pier,Totland Bay, Isle Of WightTOTLAND BAY is contiguous to Alum Bay, and distant about two miles from both Yarmouth and Freshwater Gate, and has all the qualifications which are most important for the success of a Watering place. The air of this charming spot is peculiarly bracing and dry; the climate has been pronounced by distinguished Physicians to be unsurpassed by any in England. the sands of the Bay are remarkably white and firm, and the Bay itself, being sheltered from the prevailing winds, affords exceptional advantages for bathing, boating, and yachting. Attached to the Bathing Establishment, and situated on the beach, is a reading room and library, well supplied with books, which proves a great attraction to visitors. The pier is about 400 feet in length, built of iron, and forms a most agreeable promenade, with every facility for landing from yachts, steamers, and other vessels. The Hotel overlooks the Bay. Its terraces and windows command a full view of the Solent, and the yachts and the steamers currently passing by. The Hotel has been fitted up with every regard to comfort and convenience; and has extensive grounds with two large TENNIS LAWNS. A select PROMENADE from which there is a magnificent view of the Needles and surrounding scenery. An ample supply of the Purest Spring Water comes from the neighbouring Downs. A pack of hounds is kept in the neighbourhood, and loose boxes can be had in the stables of the hotel. The direct and shortest approach is from London via South Western Railway to Lymington, thence by steamer to Yarmouth or Totland Bay. This spot is also easily accessible from Ryde or Cowes via Newport. For Tariff and other information, Address -- H.L. DOWSING, Manager, Totland Bay Hotel, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight |
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Totland Bay, West Beach, postmarked 1958 but probably earlier. (Frith) |
Looking along Totland beach towards the pier, 1911 |
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Totland Bay looking towards the Pier, 1911. (National) |
Totland shore, looking west. Dated 1911. (Gubbins) |
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The Reading Room on the beach, this building was the original place of worship on the site of Christ's Church. Card postmarked 1913. (Ideal) |
Totland Bay from the Turf Walk, 1950's. (Mewood) |
Freshwater | Totland | Alum Bay and the Needles | Yarmouth | Shalfleet | Newtown | Calbourne | Carisbrooke Castle | Carisbrooke | Newport | Cowes and Gurnard | Osborne House | Wootton & Fishbourne | Quarr & Binstead | Ryde | Seaview | Bembridge | Brading | Sandown | Shanklin | Godshill | Arreton Valley | Ventnor | St Lawrence and the Undercliff | St Catherine's Lighthouse's | Niton | Blackgang Chine | Blackgang and Chale | Brighstone and Shorwell | Mottistone to Compton