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Head down Shooters Hill and into Birmingham Road, which eventually becomes Medina Road. Follow the road down to the riverside where the floating bridge connects the two towns. The bridge is actually a chain ferry, which has been carrying passengers over the river since 1859. Its interior was specially refurbished for the opening of the Boat Trail and features nautical scenes by local artists and schoolchildren. Turn left off the bridge and immediately on your left is the Gridiron Shed, from where the first ever seaplane was launched in 1913. Carry on up Trinity Road to Trinity House, which operates and services all the lighthouses of England and Wales. Columbine Yard on Castle Street was built in 1935 and was where Sir Christopher Cockerell designed the world's first hovercraft. On the Old Road you can see the last remnants of the Henry VIII fortifications, which were built to defend the Solent.
Return back down Castle Street, turn left into Church Path before the roundabout and follow the path past sights such as the Old Cinema and Falcon Yard until you reach the Heritage Centre. The Centre is run by local historians (Mon-Sat 1000-1300) and is the perfect place to find out more about the town's past. The trail is circular, so continue to follow it and it will lead you back over the floating bridge to the Red Funnel terminal in Cowes.
The annual Walking Festival on the Isle of Wight takes place 8-28 May 2004. For a programme of events, please visit www.islandbreaks.com/walking
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