Isle of Wight coast path row raised with King Charles

Kate Ashbrook, vice president of The Ramblers and general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, raised the issue with the King during the official inauguration of the 2,700-mile national trail.

“At some point, there was a hush, so I took the opportunity to explain to the King that although the path was brilliant, there was a problem on the Isle of Wight,” she said.

“This concerned his family since his great, great grandfather had given Osborne to the nation, and now it was proposed to prevent us from enjoying a route near the beach, instead sending us inland on a dangerous road.”

The inland route in being proposed by Natural England (Image: IW Ramblers)

The dispute centres on the unresolved East Cowes to Wootton Bridge stretch of the coast path, which includes Osborne House and Barton Wood.

Natural England originally proposed a seafront route running from Norris Wood, past Osborne Beach and through Barton Wood.

However, English Heritage, which manages Queen Victoria’s former seaside residence, has long opposed public access through the estate, citing conservation concerns and what it describes as a security risk to Queen Victoria’s “irreplaceable” collection.

As a result, Natural England has proposed an inland diversion along the A3021 and York Avenue, which takes walkers away from the shoreline for several miles.

Where the route is likely to be re-routed (Image: IW Ramblers)

Ms Ashbrook said the King “queried why English Heritage was hostile to a coastal route,” adding she told him it was because of fears people might “nip up the hill and steal the royal collection”.

She said she also made clear the King was not responsible for the decision, “which was a relief to him.”

IW Ramblers have repeatedly criticised the proposed inland route, describing it as “unpleasant and dangerous” and arguing it goes against the principle of a national coast path.

Last year, campaigners staged a protest outside Osborne House, holding placards describing the diversion as “unfit for a king.”

The coastal route preferred by campaigners (Image: IW Ramblers)

At the time, Jack Cornish, the Ramblers’ director of England, said: “We urgently need English Heritage to rethink its stance on this.

“It is common sense: The King Charles III England Coast Path must follow the coast.”

Nine out of ten sections of the Island’s coast path have now been approved, but the Osborne and Barton stretch remains unresolved and has been referred to the Planning Inspectorate to determine the next steps.

IW Ramblers said: “After 17 years of negotiations, delays, and two local consultations, the end is in sight, but there is one last hurdle to overcome.

“The Island will be the loser if a pragmatic solution cannot be agreed.”

IW Ramblers outside Osborne House, protesting against English Heritage's 'refusal' to allow the King Charles III English Coast Path to pass through the estate (Image: Contributed)