King's Quay IOW

[SolentBoat]

Between the busy Wootton and the crowded anchorage of Osbourne Bay is a quieter[1] bay and a tiny creek. I've anchored briefly in the bay and wondered if any lift keelers had explored the creek?

[1] I think it's a waterski area so during the day it may be noisier.

 

[r_h]

It's a lovely spot, but very confined and narrow. There's a gravel bar at the entrance that covers around half tide IIRC, then it deepens beyond that and gets muddy. There's nowhere to land, but the scenery is great and it's a lovely escape from a busy Solent day, although it's not possible to land. I've never stayed over low tide - care would be needed to find a suitable patch that would allow you to stay afloat in a pool or dry out upright.

 

[Giblets]

I think that King's Quay Creek is a nature reserve so doubt boats are welcome or even allowed. Perhaps The Snail would know.

 

[DJE]

Sailed/rowed in once in a Wayfarer dinghy many years ago.

 

[Twister_Ken]

There are refs to it in early editions (1930s) of Creeks and Harbours of the Solent. Even back then it sounded quite daunting.

"This trickle of water lies half way between Cowes and Wooton and looks from the sea to be larger than it is in reality. There is no neighbouring village and the creek is equally difficult to approach from the land and the sea, but nevertheless very attractive and unspoilt.

A few years ago (this was written in 1933) small yachts occasionally entered and anchored among the exceptionally beautiful surroundings; but now at low tide there is virtually no water even in the channel which bears the apt local name of 'The Gutter'. The Gutter twists and turns among the deep mudbanks. It is only about 20 feet in width and unlike so many Solent creeks has shallow edges instead of steep mudbanks - except near Curlew Copse.

The author endeavoured to locate the course of this channel towards low tide, but the bends were so numerous that it is impossible to give anything like sailing directions. The only useful piece of advice to yachtsmen would be to state that the creek should not even be approached except just before high water. It is then possible to locate the inner entrance to King's Quay which lies between reed-covered banks of mud, but the yacht should leave again without undue delay as the ebb runs hard and the creek quickly dries out.

In spite of these difficulties small craft will find it well worth a visit as the surrounding country is so pretty."

It is still in the 1981 edition, more or less unchanged, but with the additional info that it is administered by the Nature Conservancy and that landing is not permitted.

Sounds like a job for a canoe.

 

[Giblets]

Thsi was posted in the Swift Owners magazine back in 1992 (mind you they only draw 9" with the keel up):

FOR THOSE who go in search of peace and tranquility in the Solent, then King's Quay Creek is the place for you. Ever since we acquired our Swift
'Windsong' almost 2 years ago and began reading 'Creeks and Harbours of ihe Solent' - King's Quay Creek was one of our goals'

So a few weeks ago on a very light and variable day en route to Wootton Creek we knew that this was ‘the day'. We knew vaguely where the entrance was, and eventually found the channel by keeping the keel down full as a safeguard. Even at high tide the area around the entrance is very shallow and several times we ran aground on the sandbank. As a rough guide, approach the western end of the beach, turn to port and run parallel to the beach between the two small perches. On approaching the first right hand bend into the creek, keep well to the outside of the bend. The Creek now heads inland past a broken down landing stage after which the channel is fairly easy to follow up to the old stone bridge and main pool area. According to 'Creeks and Harbours of the Solent' some 4 feet of water remains in this pool when the channel has virtually dried out. The land around the Creek is private and landing is forbidden. Despite the smallness of the creek our view from the boat was one of outstanding natural beauty. Our only disappointment was that we couldn't stay longer, to enjoy the peaceful as we were were meeting friends in Wooton and the tide was ebbing.

So, our message to those of you who have always wanted to visit the spot but never got round to it is . . . go for it! Happy sailing.

 

[Tom Price]

King's Quay Creek

There are refs to it in early editions (1930s) of Creeks and "Harbours of the Solent. Even back then it sounded quite daunting. "

Watch it young Ken - you'll make me older than I am!

Explored in a catamaran, stopped for lunch, got shouted at by the Warden.

 

[Seajet]

There used to be a small, red tanker which had aimed for this place as the ultimate Plan B - ie sinking - just by the entrance, a handy marker.

As this and the nearby Osbourne Bay make the rings of Jupiter sound relatively inviting re. going ashore or staying overnight rolling in wash, Cowes around the corner is rather more appealing; Wootton Creek suffers the same way.

 

[SolentBoat]

I reckon I'll pay a visit some time. Keel up, I draw the square root of sod all and remain afloat on a damp rag.

Google maps has a handy view and I reckon there's space to turn around and get out again!

Wardens can holler at me from the shore for as long as they want; I don't plan on staying long (or on eating any sea horses).

 

[l'escargot]

Be interested to hear of people's exploits - local consensus is that it is no longer accessible by boat. Did try to have a look from the land some years ago but access is complicated and never got round to doing the trek along the shore from Woodsides.

 

[islandsailor]

I have been meaning to check it out for a while will go and have a explore in the RIB and report back - if someone can PM me how to post pictures I will take a few......

 

[VicS]

I have been meaning to check it out for a while will go and have a explore in the RIB and report back - if someone can PM me how to post pictures I will take a few......

See the FAQs on how to upload them as Attachments

OR

Open a free Photobucket account. Upload then to that and paste in the links as instructed in P'bucket help.

 

[Giblets]

This sounds like a fascinating place to visit although I doubt my 0.6m will manage it. Will have to try and send SWMBO in with the Walker Bay whilst the mother ship remains outside.

 

[r_h]

Be interested to hear of people's exploits - local consensus is that it is no longer accessible by boat.

I was last there late 2007 - it was easy to find the channel, helped by this pic I cunningly took first.

 

[rwoofer]

Last time I looked in my tender (couple of years ago or so) the entrance was blocked off by wooden stakes. I've been keen to explore, but reckoned you would only get a canoe in between the stakes. Not been recently.

 

[Twister_Ken]

From Wikipedia:

King's Quay is a place on the north east coast of the Isle of Wight, an island off the South Coast of England. It comprises the estuary of a stream called Palmer's Brook, situated between East Cowes and Wootton Creek, about 2 miles (3.2 km) north west of Wootton. It is said, probably apocryphally, to have been the place that King John fled to after signing the Magna Carta, from which it derives its name.
It is private land, part of the 500-acre (2.0 km2) Barton Estate, owned by Robert Stigwood and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and ramsar site. It is rich in fossils, particularly of oligocene fish and mesolithic artifacts in a rocky outcrop known as the Osborne Beds. It comprises an area of saltmarsh, sand and marsh, bounded by ancient woodlands at Wallhill Copse, Curlew Copse, Woodhouse Copse and Brickhill Copse.
The Quay is a causeway which is breached in one place leading to a stone bridge. During the Middle Ages, King's Quay and the adjoining Meads Hole to the north in Osborne Bay was the site of a market of stolen goods, the plunder of Isle of Wight pirates upon French and Spanish shipping. It is inaccessible to the public, but can be approached from the south western end by Forestry Commission land at Woodhouse Copse.

 

[Boathook]

A few boats going in and out will soon deepen it. I must have a go at exploring it myself but ideally I require 3 days from where I'm based to do it justice.

Hopefully the google maps link will work showing the entrance
http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=50.742533,-1.23882&spn=0.000628,0.001448&t=h&z=20

 

[KristiferColumbus]

I've been there.Anchored off shore & went in & explored in the dinghy.Nice little creek but only a hundred or so yards before you come up against a little bridge type structure blocking the way........