New Carnival will stage a three-day programme of walks and community arts events on the Isle of Wight this month, highlighting the Tennyson Heritage Coast – and celebrating ‘2023 National Year of the Coast’.
The Tennyson Heritage Coast runs along the south west coast of the Island, starting from St Lawrence in the east to end at Totland Bay. It is noted for its unspoiled beauty, biodiversity and rich cultural heritage.
12 varied walks
Over the weekend of 9th-11th June, 12 varied walks ranging from 1.5 to 28 miles are taking place, all enhanced by colourful handmade flags and short performances presented by local arts groups.
The walking weekend represents the culmination of a 6-week community education and learning project, involving heritage and nature experts, schoolchildren, adult volunteers, and local artists.
Crossing the Bar is supported by the IW Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Arts Council England.
Grand Sing Out planned
A grand Sing Out is planned for the launch of the walks programme which will take place at Ventnor Botanic Gardens on Friday 9th June at 12.30pm.
Over 850 schoolchildren will perform a series of traditional and re-imagined sea shanties to send walkers on their way.
The Solent Sea Shanty project has been organised by the IW Music Hub in conjunction with New Carnival and IW AONB. Children will perform a live forty-minute concert as the culmination of a year-long music education programme.
The England Coast Path
Crossing the Bar, now in its third year, is celebrating and promoting the new National Trail – The England Coast Path – (soon to be known as The King Charles III Path) due to be completed by late 2024.
When fully open, the path will be the longest managed coastal footpath in the world at 2,800 miles. Isle of Wight section will make up around 80 miles of that, and will arguably represent one of the most varied and spectacular sections.
Goldspink: Artworks reflect that pride of place
Frankie Goldspink, director Creative Ways Outdoors working on behalf of New Carnival said
“We are very proud of our heritage coasts and really want to shout about that.
“Working with artists and wildlife experts we have explored themes and created artworks with young people which reflect that pride of place, which we now want to share with everyone in our free walking programme.”
Pre-book your free walk
You can walk along any section of the Heritage Coast over the weekend, mix and match your programme, or do the whole walk at almost 28 miles. All the walks are free to join!
The linear walks MUST be pre-booked (restricted numbers), and it may be possible to arrange lifts back to the start point, by prior arrangement.
Why ‘Crossing the Bar’?
The project is named after a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson written in 1889 whilst he was crossing the Solent to his home at Farringford. The literal ‘bar’ he refers to is a sandbar (or spit) which forms part of the Island’s heritage coastline.
Penned three years before his death, he uses ‘crossing the bar’ as a metaphor for his own passing, contemplating the afterlife. Young people chose the project’s title to represent their hopes for the future of the planet (life after) following the devastating impacts of Covid.
Tennyson was a keen walker, with a great fondness for nature as well as the creative arts, and this project celebrates that connection.
Crossing the Bar programme of walks
(all distances approximate)
Stage 1. Ventnor Botanic Garden to Niton. Friday afternoon 9th June
- Linear Walk starts 1.30pm from Ventnor Botanic Garden, 4.5 miles
- Short Circular Walk starts 1.30pm Ventnor Botanic Garden, 2 miles
Stage 2. Niton to Whale Chine, Chale. Saturday morning 10th June
- Linear Walk starts 10am from The Buddle Inn, Niton, 5.5 miles
- Short Circular Walk starts 10am Buddle Inn, Niton, 2 miles
Stage 3. Whale Chine, Chale to Brighstone. Saturday afternoon 10th June
- Linear Walk starts 1pm from Whale Chine, 5 miles
- Short Circular Story Walk starts 2pm from Brighstone Warnes Lane car park, 1.5 miles
- Long Circular Walk starts 12pm from Brighstone Warnes Lane car park, 8 miles
Stage 4. Brighstone to Freshwater Bay. Sunday morning 11th June
- Linear Walk starts 9.30am from Brighstone Warnes Lane car park, 6.5 miles
Stage 5. Freshwater Bay to Totland Bay. Sunday afternoon 11th June
- Linear Walk starts 1pm from Freshwater Bay, 5.5 miles
- Short Circular Story Walk starts 1pm from Freshwater Bay, 1.5 miles
- Long Circular Walk starts Turf Walk, Totland at 12pm
- Short Circular Walk starts Turf Walk, Totland at 2.30pm, 2 miles
Find out more
There’s more information about all of these FREE walks on the EventBrite Website.
Or contact Alison at New Carnival for more details: [email protected]
Image: Walkers enjoying the Island’s spectacular coastline during Crossing the Bar 2023.
News shared by Gemma on behalf of New Carnival. Ed
