If you are looking for a free activity to do on the Isle of Wight this summer, then I can recommend the National Gallery’s Art On your Doorstep trail. This free outdoor immersive art trail features reproductions of famous paintings from the National Gallery, all of which can be found outside on the streets of Newport, the county town of the Isle of Wight.
National Gallery’s Art On your Doorstep trail – Isle of Wight
The 18 life-sized replicas of famous artworks from the National Gallery are on show from May 6 to October 30. The National Galley houses the national collection of Western European painting from the 13th to the 19th centuries. This is a lovely way for more people to experience their collections without the need to visit London.
Each work has been specially selected by community groups and a local school, reflecting the beauty and motifs of their physical location. For example, we found Men of the Docks by George Bellows down by the Quay Arts, on the side wall of Little London.
The one mile trail is step-free and designed to be accessible for all. We picked up a map in one of the shops but we found it more fun to just walk and explore, discovering the paintings when we weren’t expecting them, such as Flowers in A Vase by Rachel Ruysch down Post Office Lane (right by the public toilets!). Each painting is framed which means you do a double take as you walk by, not expecting to see a famous work of art in a side street. or shop window.
The free trail is a great way to explore the historic streets of Newport, from four of its traditional alleyways, across historic squares and down to the harbour. I thought I knew Newport quite well and I enjoyed discovering the paintings with the youngest teen. I caught her taking a few pics too, which is usually a sign that she is enjoying herself.
We managed to walk the whole trail in a couple of hours, getting sidetracked by shops or refreshments along the way. It’s such a lovely way to see art in a different setting, and makes you view the paintings in a different way.
You may be interested in our other public art trail posts:
Elephant Trail at Battersea Power Station
Penguin Parade Sculpture Trail
SmileyWorld art trail at Battersea Power Station
Scenes in the Square, Leicester Square
Walking with the Snowman, London Bridge City
Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel, York Road, Waterloo
Colourwalk around Notting Hill, London
Elephant trail at Spitalfields Market London
The Tusk Gorilla Trail Covent Garden
That is so fun! I love the beautiful art showcased alongside the gorgeous architecture. So lovely.