May 2008

3 May on Newport Quay 11am – 3pm
The Island’s first River Festival - part of the Walking Festival Launch

Riverfest - story telling walks for children
11.10am
Short walks and storytelling sessions throughout the day - each walk and story 10 minutes Leader Sue Bailey
Tel 298098
Meet Newport Town Quay by the propeller GR 501894

Riverfest - Tales from the Riverbank
12.15pm - 2.15pm
A circular walk along the eastern bank of the Medina with the creator of Hammy the hamster and his friends. Re-live stories from your childhood and learn some of the secrets behind the filming of the series.
Leader David Ellison
Tel 298098
Meet Newport Town Quay by the propeller GR 501894

Riverfest - Minibeast safari
2.30pm -3pm
We'll sweep the hedges and long grass around the cemetery for beetles bugs and other minibeasts. Suitable for children of all ages.
Leader Ian Boyd Island 2000
Tel 298098
Meet Newport cemetery Quayside entrance GR 503896

Riverfest - Mill Trail town trail
2.30pm – 4pm
A guided walk around the Newport town section of the Mill Trail to see the social and industrial heritage of Newport and its rivers
Leader Bill Shepard
Tel 298098
Meet Newport Town Quay by the propeller GR 501894

Sunday 4 May
Walks from Rails: reclamation
10.30am
A walk through the history of Brading Haven's reclamation from the sea, including the old sea wall former branch railway and the mysterious Centurion's Copse. 5 miles/4 - 5 hours. Bring a picnic.
Leader Adrian Searle
Tel 615636
Meet Brading railway station
Cost Optional donation to Gift to Nature

Sunday 4 May
Brading Marshes wildlife walk
11am
See breeding birds, flowers, dragonflies and butterflies on the RSPB reserve. About 2.5 hours. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader RSPB
Tel 873681
Meet Brading Railway Station GR 609 868
Cost Adults £4 RSPB members £2 children and concessions half price

Sunday 4 May
Spring at Osborne
2pm – 3.30pm
A gentle stroll through the Pleasure Grounds and Walled Garden highlighting the stunning spring bedding on the Terraces. Sorry, no dogs. Booking advised.
Leader Charlotte Lock
Tel 200022
Meet Osborne Reception
Cost Adults £7 concessions £5.50 children £4 EH members free

Monday 5 May
Wildzone: St Helens Duver Bug hunt
1.30pm
Discovery Packs provided. Investigate bugs and other wildlife lurking on the Duver. Booking essential
Meet at St Helens Duver Car Park GR 637 892
Leader National Trust
Tel 741020
Cost £2 per child

Monday 5 May
Red squirrels and their habitat
5.30pm – 7pm
A walk round the woods and lanes of Godshill village to look for red squirrels.
Leader Helen Butler
Tel 611003
Meet Godshill car park GR 530817
Cost Donation to Wight Squirrel Project

Tuesday 6 May
Heathland haven
10am
A walk through the countryside at Cranmore to look at the wildlife, such as small pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies and nightingales, including the Wildlife Trust's nature reserve at Ningwood Common. Wellies advisable; 5 stiles to negotiate
Leader Chris Archbold
Tel 529199
Meet Ningwood Recycling Centre GR 401892
Cost Donations welcomed

Tuesday 6 May
Walks from Rails: Ashey Races
10am
A 6 mile/4 hour cross-country ramble to Ashey rail station, then along the long-abandoned chalkpit branch line skirting Ashey's former racecourse, returning via the Downs. Bring a picnic.
Leader Adrian Searle
Tel 615636
Meet Ryde St John's railway station
Cost Optional donation to Gift to Nature

Tuesday 6 May
Heaven or Hell? A Brading walk
10.30am
West of Brading, a walk through part of the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to look at the special character of this area. Moderate pace with some uneven surfaces Binoculars and sturdy footwear suggested. Booking essential. 3.5 - 4 hours/ 5.5 miles. Leader Nicky Rogers, AONB Planning Officer
Tel 823855
Meet Brading railway station GR 609868
Cost Voluntary donation to Gift to Nature

Wednesday 7 May
Oysters and orchids
11am -1.30pm
Explore the natural treasures of Newtown Harbour. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader National Trust
Tel 741020
Meet Old Town Hall car park GR 423906
Cost Adults including NT members £2

Wednesday 7 May
Discover Culver Down
2pm
Explore local history and heritage. Moderately strenuous. About 3 miles/ 2.5 hours. Dogs welcome on leads
Leader National Trust
Tel 741020
Meet Bembridge Windmill
Cost Adults including NT members £2

Wednesday 7 May
Walks from Rails: Lake Common
6pm
An undemanding evening ramble cross-country via Lake Common and Black Pan. Train back from Shanklin. About 2.5 hours/3.5 hours.
Leader Adrian Searle
Tel 615636
Meet Sandown railway station
Cost Return rail fare; optional donation to Gift to Nature

Wednesday 7 May
Bats about moths
7.30pm
A night time walk through the forest of Parkhurst to look for nocturnal wildlife including moths, nightjars and bats. Wellies advisable; please bring a torch
Leader Kathy Grogan
Tel 529199
Meet Main car park Parkhurst Forest GR 480900
Cost Donations appreciated

Thursday 8 May
Ashey Amble
10am – 12 noon
A walk over the chalk downland and the Wildlife Trust's woodland reserve of Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses. Stout footwear needed; some steep slopes and stiles. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader Richard Grogan
Tel 529199
Meet Park in the lay by at the foot of Ashey Down GR 575874
Cost Donations appreciated

Thursday 8 May
Evening beach and woodland walk at Osborne
5.30pm
A leisurely walk through the Osborne estate to enjoy the private beach at Osborne. About 2 hours/3 km. Booking essential. Wear stout shoes. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader Deb Goodenough
Tel 200022
Meet Osborne Reception
Cost Adults £7 concessions £5.50 children £4 EH members free

Saturday 10 May
Red squirrels in Newtown
9.30am
A walk round Newtown to look for red squirrels.1.5 – 2 hours.
Leader Jessie Booth
Tel 740662
Meet Old Town Hall car park GR 423906
Cost £2 Concessions for Friends of the Red Squirrel and Bushy Tail club members

Saturday 10 May
Osborne beach walk
10am
A picturesque stroll through the estate to the private beach at Osborne. Booking essential. Wear stout shoes. Sorry, no dogs. About 2 hours/3km
Leader Deb Goodenough
Tel 200022
Meet Osborne Reception
Cost Adults £7 concessions £5.50 children £4 EH members free

Saturday 10 May
Walks from Rails: the Medina Way
10am
A riverside walk on the Medina's west bank, tracing the route of the Island's first passenger railway between Newport and Cowes, with route variations on two legs of the walk. About 4 hours/8miles
Leader Adrian Searle
Tel 615636
Meet Newport bus station
Cost Optional donation to Gift to Nature

Saturday 10 May
Dinostroll
11am
A story in Sandown library for young children and parents then a guided walk along the beach to Dinosaur Isle museum. About an hour for the story and walk and an hour in the museum. Walking on sand, with steps to the beach. Booking advised.
Leader Elspeth Jackson and Trevor Price
Tel 203880
Meet Sandown library GR 601843
Cost Child £2.95 one free adult per child, extra adults £4.95

Saturday 10 May
Rocks from Rails: Brading Down
10.30am
Take the train to Brading and then walk to Brading Down to view the landscape and underlying rocks, using a leaflet produced by Sandown High School geologists - find out how the hills and valleys were formed. 2 miles/2 hours
Leader Helen Parry, Medina Valley Centre
Tel 522195
Meet Brading railway station
Cost Optional donation to Gift to Nature

Sunday 11 May
Brading Marshes wildlife walk
11am
See breeding birds, flowers, dragonflies and butterflies on the RSPB reserve. About 2.5 hours Sorry, no dogs.
Leader RSPB
Tel 873681
Meet Brading Railway Station GR 609 868
Cost Adults £4 RSPB members £2 children and concessions half price


Sunday 11 May
Osborne beach walk
2pm
A picturesque stroll through the estate to the private beach at Osborne. Booking essential. Wear stout shoes. Sorry, no dogs. About 2 hours/2 miles
Leader Deb Goodenough
Tel 200022
Meet Osborne Reception
Cost Adults £7 concessions £5.50 children £4 EH members free

Sunday 11 May
Discover Culver Downs
2pm
Explore local history and heritage. Moderately strenuous. About 3 miles/ 2.5 hours. Dogs welcome on leads
Leader National Trust
Tel 741020
Meet Bembridge Windmill
Cost Adults including NT members £2

Monday 12 May
Walks from Rails: Beyond the Buffers
9.45am
An 8.5 mile/7 hour ramble, along the former rail line to Wroxall then cross-country to Sandown via Appuldurcombe, Sandford and Newchurch. Train ride back to Shanklin. Bring a picnic Leader Adrian Searle
Tel 615636
Meet Shanklin railway station
Cost Train fare; optional donation to Gift to Nature

Monday 12 May
Spring flowers and butterflies of Compton Down
2pm - 4.30pm
Strenuous walking and moderately steep slopes on this walk to look for spring wildlife. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader National Trust
Tel 741020
Meet Whiteways car park GR 368855
Cost Adult including NT members £2

Tuesday 13 May
Introduction to geocaching
Time to be advised on booking
Try the popular hi-tech treasure hunting game using GPS equipment to find hidden caches. All equipment and instructions provided. About 1.5 hours. Steep paths, some steps. Suitable for all ages. Booking essential
Leader Matthew Chatfield
Tel 823893
Meet Brading Down car park GR 597869

Tuesday 13 May
Over Undercliff and up Downs
10am
A walk in the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Island's finest landscapes. Moderate pace with some uneven surfaces 3.5 - 4 hours/5 miles. Binoculars, sturdy footwear and packed lunch suggested. Booking essential.
Leader Carrie McDowell, AONB assistant
Tel 823855
Meet Blackgang viewpoint car park GR 491767
Cost Voluntary donation to Gift to Nature

Tuesday 13 May
Spring on the Downs
10am
A walk around the Wildlife Trust's chalk grassland reserve to look at the fascinating wildlife, and history of this prominent Island landscape. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader Chris Archbold
Tel 529199
Meet Park in Arreton village opposite the White Lion pub GR 533867
Cost Donations appreciated

Tuesday 13 May
Guided wildlife and orchid walk
10am – 12 noon
A walk round the conservation area on this military training ground to see the green winged orchids and other wildlife. Mostly on paths but strong footwear needed; limited wheelchair access. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader Range Officer
Tel 523503
Meet Jersey Camp Porchfield GR 443905
Cost Donations for conservation fund

Tuesday 13 May
Evening beach and woodland walk at Osborne
5.30pm
A leisurely walk through the Osborne estate to enjoy the private beach at Osborne. About 2 hours/3 km. Booking essential. Wear stout shoes. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader Deb Goodenough
Tel 200022
Meet Osborne Reception
Cost Adults £7 concessions £5.50 children £4 EH members free

Tuesday 13 May
Evening stroll in Eaglehead Copse
7pm
A walk through woodland and farmland. At the end of the walk as it gets dark there may be a chance to use bat detectors and night scopes. You may wish to bring a torch! About 2 miles, 1.5 hours with hills and some rough ground. In association with Brading Town Council. Leader Matthew Chatfield IWC Parks and Countryside manager
Tel 823893
Meet Lay by under Ashey Down GR 578872

Wednesday 14 May
Walks from Rails: the Solent tunnel
6pm
Follow the former rail line between Yarmouth and Freshwater, passing the proposed junction site for the Victorian Solent tunnel scheme, returning via the west bank of the Yar. An undemanding 4.5 mile/3 hour walk
Leader Adrian Searle
Tel 615636
Meet Yarmouth youth centre (old rail station) GR 358895
Cost Optional donation to Gift to Nature

Thursday 15 May
Over the Undercliff
10am
A circular walk to look at the wildlife of the Undercliff including the Wight Nature Fund's reserves of Pelham Woods and the Wildlife Trust's nature reserve at St Lawrence Field. Stout footwear recommended. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader Richard Grogan
Tel 529199
Meet Old Rare Breeds Park GR 540768
Cost Donations appreciated

Thursday 15 May
Tennyson Down: landscape and geology
10.30am - 12.30pm
Discover the landscape and geology together with the history, archaeology and wildlife of the area. Some steep slopes and stiles. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader National Trust
Tel 741020
Meet High Down chalk pit car park GR 325855
Cost Adults including NT members £2

Friday 16 May
Shalfleet Water and Farmland
11am - 1.30pm
A natural history and heritage walk; see another side of the Newtown estuary. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader National Trust
Tel 741020
Meet Shalfleet Parish Council car park, Shalfleet Quay Rd GR 414896
Cost Adults including NT members £2

Friday 16 May
Walks from Rails: Coastal Ryde
6pm
A gentle evening stroll 'on the flat' to Seaview and back. Follows the historically-rich coastline and returns via the route of the old horse tramway. About 3 hours /4.5 miles
Leader Adrian Searle
Tel 615636
Meet Ryde Esplanade railway station
Cost Optional donation to Gift to Nature

Saturday 17 May
Rocks from Rails: Lumpy landscapes
9.30am
A walk of contrasts to view landscapes formed over millions of years: climbing classic chalk hills to Bembridge Down viewpoint, descending Red Cliff coastal path and returning by the River Yar.
Leader Helen Parry Medina Valley Centre
Tel 522195
Meet Brading Rail station
Cost Optional donation to Gift to Nature

Saturday 17 May
Osborne beach walk
2pm
A picturesque stroll through the estate to the private beach at Osborne. Booking essential. Wear stout shoes. Sorry, no dogs. About 2 hours/2 miles
Leader Deb Goodenough
Tel 200022
Meet Osborne Reception
Cost Adults £7 concessions £5.50 children £4 EH members free

Sunday 18 May
Walks from Rails: Splendour of steam
9.30am
Combining a 7.5 mile/6 hour cross-country ramble with a return trip from Wootton on the Island's vintage rail systems - steam train to Smallbrook and electric into Ryde.
Leader Adrian Searle
Tel 615636
Meet Ryde St John's Rd railway station
Cost Return rail fare; optional donation to Gift to Nature

Sunday 18 May
Farming for wildlife
10.30am
Wight Conservation's wildlife farming project and the history of the Wroxall Horseshoe. Family friendly. Stout footwear required 2.5 - 3 hours
Leader Wight Conservation
Tel 760773
Meet Wroxall Cross Farm GR 557793

Sunday 18 May
Compton beach: geology walk
2.30pm
Learn about the geology of the coastline, in association with Dinosaur Isle. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader National Trust
Tel 741020
Meet Hanover Point car park GR 378840
Cost Adults including NT Members £2

Saturday 24 May
The Big Green Picnic
10am – 7pm
An educational, inspiring and entertaining community event aimed at helping us all lead a greener lifestyle. Activities, demonstrations, information, local produce, music and arts.
Leader Claire Critchison
Tel 203891
Meet Church Litten, Newport

Saturday 24 May
Brading Marshes wildlife walk
11am
See breeding birds, flowers, dragonflies and butterflies on the RSPB reserve. About 2.5 hours Sorry, no dogs.
Leader RSPB
Tel 873681
Meet Brading Railway Station GR 609 868
Cost Adults £4 RSPB members £2 children and concessions half price

Sunday 25 May
The Big Green Picnic
10am – 7pm
An educational, inspiring and entertaining community event aimed at helping us all lead a greener lifestyle. Activities, demonstrations, information, local produce, music and arts.
Leader Claire Critchison
Tel 203891
Meet Church Litten, Newport

Wednesday 28 May
Family nature night
8pm – 10pm
An evening event for families to explore the noctural wildlife of Parkhurst Forest. Games and close-up encounters with bats, moths, small mammals and nightjars. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Booking essential. Wear wellies or stout footwear. Sorry, no dogs.
Leader Kathy Grogan
Tel 529199
Meet Main car park Parkhurst Forest GR 480900
Cost Donations appreciated

Thursday 29 May
Treeocaching
11am - 12.30pm
Use the popular hi-tech game of geocaching to learn about the historic trees of Northwood Park All equipment and instructions provided. Booking essential
Leader IWC Parks and Countryside
Tel 823893
Meet Car park, Northwood House, Cowes GR 492962