The project celebrated coastal access with a programme of creative and engaging workshops, walks and experiences for all ages as part of the wider ‘Year of the Coast’ celebration.

The King Charles III England Coast Path devised by Natural England traverses the dramatic Isle of Wight coastal landscape; from cliffs to creeks, sandy beaches and chines, to sand bars providing vital habitats for wildlife. The path importantly connects people and communities, from the towns of Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor and Freshwater.

The project welcomed Isle of Wight residents and visitors to take part in events and join free guided walks along the coast path. A network of local organisations worked together to provide the programme: Visit Isle of Wight (tourism), Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Gift to Nature and heritage partners at National Trust, English Heritage and the Classic Boat Museum. IW Council’s Heritage Education Service, plus schools, youth groups and many more.

The variety of free walks, from 3.5 hour challenging rambles to shorter 1 hour family friendly routes started and ended with heritage activities, art workshops and performances, creating a festival environment for walkers.

Crossing the Bar was delivered over three years, each year focusing on a priority from the Year of the Coast celebration:

• supporting green recovery and shaping a better future
• exploring cultural connections and consolidating actions
• A year of celebration

Year 1 – 2021

10 artists were given a section of the Isle of Wight coastal path to inspire an action research project. Artists and the local community presented creative responses to the research in locations along the route, walkers were able to experience the artwork within the landscape via a programme of free guided walks.

Year 2 - 2022

Schools and community groups were invited to take part in animated trails and community art sessions focusing on Isle of Wight coastal Heritage. Dinosaur Isle, Ventnor Botanic Garden, Fort Victoria, Classic Boat Museum, Museum of Island History with Quay Arts, Dimbola Museum and Galleries, Freshwater opened their doors for free as part of the walks programme.

Year 3 – 2023

In the final year of the project the programme focused on the Tennyson Heritage Coast, part of the Isle of Wight National Landscape. A three-day festival of artistic interventions and free guided walks aimed at schools, youth groups and walkers bought to life the dramatic 28-mile coastline.

Feedback from attendees was very positive:

‘The children thoroughly enjoyed the classroom sessions and loved creating and painting the flags as well as learning about the botanic gardens’ (Class teacher, Godshill Primary School)

‘Very grateful to the organisers for providing this wonderful opportunity to learn about the coast’ (walks participant)

‘The walk leaders were brilliant. They were very knowledgeable about the walk and really put every effort into making it an enjoyable experience’ (walks participant)

‘I loved the way the project involved people of all ages’ (walks participant)

‘Brilliant concept. Love the interaction between walks, coastal biodiversity, learning and creativity. Keep it going! (walks participant)

‘Such a brilliant two days, thank you to all involved in organising the Crossing the Bar walks. Beautiful scenery and great fun.’ (walks participant)

‘Well done those walkers and all those involved with organising this great event, it was a pleasure playing for you’. (Andy, Freshwater and Totland Samba band).