World Saltmarsh Day on the Isle of Wight

From the 6 to 14 June, we’re celebrating World Saltmarsh Day with a week of guided walks, expert talks, and hands-on discovery at the visitor centre. Whether you’re a regular visitor or coming for the first time, there’s something for everyone.

What is a saltmarsh?

Saltmarshes form where the land meets the sea, in sheltered estuaries and tidal creeks where salt water floods and retreats with the tides. The plants that survive here are specialists, adapted to conditions few others can tolerate. The result is a habitat unlike any other: low, dense, and seemingly simple, but teeming with life and quietly doing some remarkable work.

Saltmarshes store carbon at rates that rival woodland, protect coastlines by absorbing wave energy, and provide nursery habitat for fish and feeding ground for wading birds. Newtown’s saltmarsh is among the finest examples in the Solent and our events for World Saltmarsh Day are a chance to understand it a little better.

 

See and explore throughout the week

Throughout Saltmarsh Week, the visitor centre will be home to a range of displays and interactive activities you can drop in on at any point during your visit.

Photography exhibition

Local marine biologist and photographer Theo Vickers has created a series of large-format images capturing the colours, textures and wildlife of Newtown’s saltmarsh. Each image is accompanied by a short description to help you look at this landscape with fresh eyes.

Native saltmarsh tank

Get a closer look at the creatures that live in and around the saltmarsh in a live display tank, with interpretation to help you understand what you’re seeing.

Saltmarsh on screen

A short film will be playing on loop throughout the week, taking you through the sights and sounds of the saltmarsh.

Microscopes

Peer into the microscopic world of the saltmarsh with plankton, microbes and more, collected from Newtown.
 

Events and talks

As well as the displays in the visitor centre, we have a series of bookable events running throughout the week led by local experts.

Microbiology of the saltmarsh — drop-in session

Sunday 7 June, 11am–3pm | Free, no booking required
Join Clive for a hands-on microscope session and discover the invisible life that makes the saltmarsh tick. Drop in at any point between 11am and 3pm.

What is a saltmarsh? — talk with Dr Ian Hendy

Tuesday 9 June, 10.30am | Booking required
Dr Ian Hendy gives an accessible and engaging introduction to saltmarshes — what they are, how they function, and why they matter for nature and people. Drawing on his research and a deep knowledge of habitats like Newtown, Ian brings this quiet, remarkable landscape to life.

 

World Saltmarsh Day guided walk

Thursday 11 June, 1pm | Booking required
Join marine biologist and photographer Theo Vickers and Countryside Manager and ecologist Paul Davies for a guided walk through Newtown on World Saltmarsh Day. Together you will explore what makes this stretch of saltmarsh so special, the plants that thrive in the tidal zone, the creatures that depend on it, and why protecting it matters. A relaxed and informative walk suitable for anyone with an interest in the natural world.

Birds of the estuary and saltmarsh guided walk

Friday 12 June, 9am | Booking required
Newtown’s estuary and saltmarsh are some of the best birdwatching habitat on the Isle of Wight, and this early morning walk is a chance to make the most of them. Join ranger Ian as he guides you around the reserve, sharing his knowledge of the birds that feed, breed and rest in this sheltered corner of the island. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, you’re likely to come away having seen something worth remembering. Binoculars recommended.