Keen walkers are being encouraged to book their place taking part in this year’s Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival (7th-15th October), with many routes already at capacity.
With over 70 walks now available, there is just a month to go before the Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival gets underway, with many of the trails led by local volunteers who are passionate about their chosen route or subject.
A walk that promises participants the chance to experience a day in the life of a farmer with ‘Tallulah’s Morning Animal Feeding’ at Nettlecombe Farm was fully booked within hours of going live on the Isle of Wight Walking Festival website in July.
Now, organisers at Nettlecombe Farm are giving Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival fans a second chance to discover picturesque landscapes and meet friendly farm animals like Edna the Emu, reindeer, and alpacas on 8th October at midday.
Tallulah Shepherdly, Head Animal Keeper and Educational Co-Ordinator at Nettlecombe Farm says:
“Our guests and local school children get so much joy from experiencing our unique animal feeding tours that we decided to do a special one-off walk for the walking festival, overwhelmed by the popularity and knowing a few people got disappointed it was already full we have decided to put on another one.”
A walk celebrating one of the Island’s biggest musical exports takes place in Ryde, on 7th October. Visiting iconic landmarks, places from songs and videos, and sharing exclusive stories about Island punk band Grade 2, walk leader – and father of singer/guitarist Jack – Matt Chatfield will take visitors on a 1.2 mile route, although the band won’t be there themselves as they are currently on tour.
Matt says:
“Grade 2 is currently one of the most successful commercial bands originating on the Island, and the only one to feature their home town so prominently in their music. The band is certainly spreading the word far and wide, with a sell-out gig at Wembley Arena this summer, supporting US punk veterans Rancid, and then a few weeks later supporting Guns ‘n’ Roses at Hyde Park. They played 3 times on the Island this year, attracting fans from across the UK and even from Europe.”
Charities are benefiting from the Isle of Wight Walking Festival, with walk leaders suggesting a donation to the charity of their choosing, while some charities are leading walks themselves.
The Cats Protection Isle of Wight Adoption Centre are hosting a circular walk from their premises in Ryde down to the seafront, taking in the beautiful sea views from Puckpool Park across 4 dates during the Autumn Walking Festival.
Emma Duffield from the Cats Protection Isle of Wight Adoption Centre says:
“Join the “Tiger Ladies” to learn all about the good Cats Protection Isle of Wight does on our walk to the seafront and also hear about our amazing 2023 Sumatran Jungle Trek fundraising challenge!”
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is offering two circular walks this autumn, leaving the Donkey Sanctuary at Wroxall, via Appuldurcombe House and the village of Godshill for a 5 mile walk, or a shorter 2.5 mile walk which takes in Wroxall & St Martin’s Down.
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival will welcome more walks that are brand new to the event this autumn.
For a longer walk, we’re being offered the chance to join local geology teacher Vix Lowthion’s Station to Station walk on Saturday 14th October from Sandown Station to Brading station via Yaverland, Culver down and above Whitecliff Bay for the chance to take in the stunning views on the horizon and discover more about the rocks under your feet.
Hosted by Planet Aware, a walk along the beach between Brook and Compton will be an opportunity to learn more about the pollution that reaches the shores of the UK, while collecting ‘nurdles’ – tiny granules of plastic less than 5mm in size used in manufacturing – with games and music along the way.
At Quarr Abbey, walkers will be offered the opportunity to learn about the ‘new’ Quarr Abbey, before moving on to the ruins of the original abbey, which was closed by Herny VIII in 1536.
To find out more the Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival which runs between 7th-15th October, go to https://isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/
