Thousands upon thousands of people are expected to descend on St Helens and Bembridge this weekend (13th/14th August 2022) to take part in the annual Fort Walk.
The Bembridge Fort Walk – or as some may argue the St Helens Fort Walk – is a Summer tradition that is believed to be the biggest unorganised gathering on the Isle of Wight. Each year crowds of people walk and wade at low tide to the Fort and back again, despite there being no organiser and no set time or date for the event.
According to locals, tide timetables show that the best opportunity to complete the walk, as a mass crowd, will be around 18:30 on Saturday and 19:00 on Sunday – dates already circulating on social media and within the local community. Walkers are expected to ‘chase’ the tide out, potentially from as early as 17:00.
It’s estimated that around 4,000 people have taken part in the ‘happening’ in previous years, but with very good spring tides and 34c temperatures expected this weekend it is predicted that more people than ever will take part in the pilgrimage. However, those heading to the coast are urged not to light BBQs due to the fire risk to nearby locations such as The Duver.
HM Coastguard and the RNLI are expected to be present – just in case – with fears of a ‘perfect storm’. The official line is to not take part in the walk.
In a bid to deter people from taking part, the Isle of Wight Council will be closing access at Duver Road, St Helens so that parking along the narrow road does not block access for residents and emergency vehicles.
Despite initial understanding that parking would be available on The Green, St Helens Parish Council has confirmed to Island Echo that the Greens will in fact be cordoned off to prevent any parking. This means parking will be almost impossible in the area as local authorities try their hardest to stop the ‘happening’ from happening.
Safety advice you should follow:
• You are walking at your own risk – this is not an organised event. Locally it is described as a ‘happening’
• Check the weather forecast before you go. Do not attempt the walk in high winds or poor visibility
• It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk from the shore at Bembridge Point or St Helens Old Church to St Helens Fort and 30 minutes to get back to the beach (i.e 1hr round trip)
• Do not leave the shore after Low Water. Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach
• Aim to reach the Fort between 10 minutes before low water and 10 minutes after low water
• The walk is more strenuous than you think
• Keep a close eye on your children (and dogs) – it is a good idea for children to wear buoyancy aids
• Do not swim in the Bembridge Harbour Channel (marked by the red & green buoys) – there may be deep holes due to dredging
• If you are circling the Fort, don’t stop to admire the view, keeping walking
• Be prepared to get wet, you can be walking in water up to your waist
• Wear shoes as the causeway is stony; Flip Flops are not suitable
• Be careful of slipping on the rocks around the Fort
• Carry a means of calling for help (ideally a mobile in a waterproof case)
If the official line is don’t do it, then why the hell should the lifeguards etc be expected to risk themselves. People should just not do it. Why not have security or police there to stop people. “Not Organised, Not on, You do it, Your problem.”
Like most rescue services they rescue people regardless of who they are or how they came to be in their predicament. I doubt any of them could live with themselves if they knew someone came to some harm that they could have prevented.
Generally judgemental people don’t join voluntary rescue services.
As for having people there to stop the walkers? I am led to believe this is a free country and they are doing nothing illegal. What particular law would you use to stop them?
I bet the Traffic wardens will make their yearly visit, so be warned anyone parking where they shouldn’t.
You can’t legislate for stupid or selfish
The more people attended the chances of something to go horribly wrong increases. Personally I can’t see the fascination, it’s a blessing that the RNLI and Coastguard are on standby
Please can someone explain to me what the walk is about?
It’s because we can. But the moaners who wish to stop all run will try to prevent it on the grounds of safety. But the reality is that they just want to control everything and make use pay for everything. It’s one of the few free events these days. Lost of BBQ’s after too.
It’s a thing that started a number of years ago and largely expanded via word-of-mouth. On the lowest tides of the year it is possible to walk out to, and around, the fort.
So people do.
There is no official organisation and people do it entirely at their own risk, meaning that there is nobody to claim compensation from. Obviously rescue services will still come to their aid despite what certain authoritarian types would wish.
It’s definitely “St Helens Fort Walk”
I can walk to Bembridge Fort whenever I choose regardless of the tides!
Oh no, here we go again. Idiots will get into trouble and then have to be rescued.
Just keep the kids and dogs away!
So Its St Helens Fort Walk , The name of the Fort might just give it away, St Helens Fort .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Helens_Fort
The natural path /shingle bank leads you from St Helens Beach when the tide is low .
Its not an easy walk from Bembridge , deep water and can be fast flowing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Helens_Fort