Book now for top UK Spring walking festival

The first Isle of Wight Walking Festival of 2025 gets underway in May, with a host of new walks to book on the website.

The Spring Walking Festival runs between 10-18 this May and aims to attract over a thousand visitors to enjoy the Island’s stunning scenery.

The event, organised by Visit Isle of Wight, sees volunteer lead walks with a wide range of themes, including history, wildlife or just to enjoy the landscape.

Evening Escapade from Calbourne Mill is a new addition for 2025, a scenic circular walk passing through the village of Newbridge and taking in stunning views from Quarry Lane. The route follows peaceful tributaries of the Caul Bourne River, from which the village and mill take their name. On returning to the mill, walkers can relax in the Tea Rooms, where refreshments will be available to purchase, along with a selection of locally made products and goods produced at the mill.

A new Charles Dickens trail, created by the Isle of Wight Ramblers working alongside Dicken’s expert Sue Lowday and Ian Dickens, a great-grandson of the world-famous Victorian author, describes the life and times of Charles Dickens during his visits to the Island. A comprehensive trail leaflet is available describing the route and historical context, with QR codes to hear excerpts from Dicken’s diary read by members of his family.

Unusually for a festival that celebrates walking, a special version of the Dickens Trail is being held at Ventnor Arts Club. Titled ‘A Sit-Down Tour: The Dickens Family Holiday in Bonchurch 1849’, it is designed for those who wish to explore Charles Dickens’ time in Bonchurch without navigating its steep hills. Through an engaging illustrated talk, participants will uncover the locations, stories, and inspirations that shaped two of his most cherished novels.

Dogs are  welcomed to the Isle of Wight Spring Walking Festival too with a new dog walk from Freshwater Bay to the Needles, across the top of Tennyson Downs.

Isle of Wight charities are set to benefit from the Walking Festival as many of the walks are free to join, with suggested donations to a charity of the walk leaders choosing, including Mountbatten and the RSPCA.

Amy Summers, Head of Marketing and Sustainability said:

‘Year on year, we’ve seen the Walking Festival grow in popularity, helping to cement the Isle of Wight’s position as a walker’s paradise and it is great to see new walks being added to give people more choices.

Last year the Walking Festival hosted 178 walks, with over 2,600 registered walkers, resulting in over £1 million of additional economic spend on the Island.

‘The Spring and Autumn Isle of Wight Walking Festivals are only made possible with the support of Wight BID levy payers, working with Visit Isle of Wight with the aim to increase year round tourism.’