National Cycle Route 23
National Cycle Route 23 (or NCR 23) is a route of the National Cycle Network, running from Reading to Sandown. The partially signed route passes through Basingstoke, Eastleigh and Southampton; once across the Solent, it continues through Cowes and Newport.
Route
Reading to Basingstoke
Basingstoke to Alton/Winchester
Basingstoke | Alton | Winchester
Winchester to Southampton
Winchester | Eastleigh | Southampton
Cowes to Sandown
East Cowes | Cowes | Newport | Sandown[1]
Upon arrival at East Cowes, one must continue ahead around the one-way system in order to reach the Cowes Floating Bridge, which allows the route to cross the River Medina. There is no toll for cyclists, and a 2-3 minute crossing brings you to Cowes. The Floating Bridge does not operate a 24-hour service, so this section of the route is not available during late night.
A short distance along the Ferry Road takes you to the junction with Arctic Road, where the cycle route turns to the left, away from the coast. At the end of Arctic Road, past the industrial estate, the route leaves road for the first time on the Island. A short ascent takes you onto the first cyclepath built on the Island, the Cowes to Newport Cyclepath. This route was constructed on the old railway trackbed of the Southern Railway's Cowes to Newport section. Towards Newport, the route crosses an inlet of the River Medina, which the route follows all the way to Newport.
The Cyclepath turns to the left at the edge of the Riverway Industrial Estate, near Newport town centre. From there, there are signs that direct the cyclist towards the Town Quay and along cycle lanes on the pavement of Coppins Bridge roundabout. After more signs, the cyclist finds a freshly tarmacked shared foot/cycle path which leads the route to Shide.
In Shide, the route joins the Sandown to Newport Cyclepath - this again follows the route of a disused railway line (with minor deviations) all the way to Sandown. The route initially follows the River Medina, now a small stream, across the main road at Blackwater. There is no traffic control at this flat crossing, but it is within a speed limited area. Beyond here, the route leaves the railway trackbed for about one mile, skirting neighbouring farmland, then returning to the old route in good time for Merstone.
The former station at Merstone consisted of a single island platform, which still stands. Past this is Merstone Lane, a narrow but heavily-used road, which should be crossed with care. Shortly after this, the route passes under a road bridge and converges with the Sunshine Trail. The route then slopes significantly downhill, until it is parallel with the course of a different river, the Eastern Yar. Shortly after this, the route again leaves the railway trackbed for a short detour, caused by limited development along the route ahead. At this point, the surface changes from tarmac to planked duckboards, until reaching Horringford. At this point, the route crosses the main A3056 road, where a toucan crossing is provided.
The route then follows the old railway line across the Yar's floodplain until Langbridge, at the edge of Newchurch, where a slight deviation to the north is required, again due to development on the old route. Beyond Newchurch lies the village of Alverstone, with a final flat crossing with the minor road there before the route arrives at Sandown, on the edge of town between two holiday camp sites. The railway station and town centre can be reached by turning right onto the through road there then following the Sunshine Trail.
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