Ryde

:For the Australian city, see: Ryde, New South Wales.

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Ryde is an English seaside town and the largest urban area on the Isle of Wight, with a population of approximately 26,000. It is situated on the north-east coast.

Related Topics:
English - Isle of Wight

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The town grew in size as a seaside resort following the joining of the villages of Upper Ryde and Lower Ryde in the nineteenth century. The influence of this era is still strongly visible in the town's central and sea facing architecture.

Related Topics:
Seaside resort - Nineteenth century

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As a resort, the town is noted for its expansive sands that occur at low tide, making its pier necessary on the wide beach for a regular passenger service. Ryde Pier is a listed structure which is the fourth longest in the United Kingdom, and also the oldest. At one time Ryde had two piers; the other being the Victoria Pier.

Related Topics:
Ryde Pier - United Kingdom

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The hovercraft to Southsea operates from the esplanade close to the Ryde esplanade railway station and bus station. A catamaran service run by Wightlink operates from Ryde Pier Head to Portsmouth Harbour which connects with both Island Line trains and mainland trains to London Waterloo.

Related Topics:
Hovercraft - Southsea - Ryde esplanade - Catamaran - Wightlink - Ryde Pier Head - Portsmouth Harbour - Island Line - London Waterloo

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An ice rink and a pavilion, converted to house a night club and bowling alley feature on the esplanade, the former being the home of the Isle of Wight's ice-hockey team, the "Wightlink Raiders".

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