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Places-To-Go: Isle Of Wight
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Half of the Isle of Wight has been designated an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty -IoW since 1963 -a recognition that life here is different. The English have their “Riviera” in Torquay, Devon. It is developed, accessible and surrounded by beautiful countryside. By contrast the Isle Of Wight’s island isolation (tunnels proposed from Brockenhurst in 1890s and Lee-on-Solent more recently) have kept the place unspoilt by the greed of man civilising a habitat that just quietly carries on with its stunning biodiversity. Soils are good, freshwater plentiful and wildlife thrives -it’s no wonder Unesco have been approached to give the place “Biosphere” status alongside its Sites Of Special Scientific Interest.
Some people might claim that life here is slow. Good. Roads narrow and winding. Good. For me what lies at the heart of the island’s culture is its size. It’s the largest of the islands in the British Isles, and yet still approachable only by ferry or light aircraft, so this has spurred the keenness of islanders to be self-sufficient as it was in Roman times. Farming and market gardening are widespread -much of it organic. Inspired by their surroundings and easy lifestyle a large range of brilliant crafts are in bloom.
In recognition of the hundreds of island walks (see below) and long, wide, safe beaches holiday makers are rewarded with memorable experiences of everything from the bring up children to taking in the air during retirement. Those with children will find several modest theme parks different to the flashy glare of those on the mainland yet no less engaging for all age groups. I’ve lost count of the number of cute cafés hidden in the woods or just along from that next jaunt along the Jurasic seashore (yes remarkable prehistoric finds turn up after winter storms).
If you have any doubts perhaps it’s worth looking at previous residents: Lord Tennyson, Dickens (who wrote much of David Copperfield here), French painters Manet and Morisot and members of European royalty. Queen Victoria spent her childhood here and took residence at Osborne House (see below) until her death in 1901. In 1878, Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the version of the telephone in the UK to her. In 1897 the world's first radio station was set up by Guglielmo Marconi, during her reign, at The Needles military camp. In the 1960‘s here later saw the installation of the British Satellite Space Programme -away from centres of population. In WW2 Ventnor was the route of the Pluto pipeline to supply fuel to the European Allied forces.
The pop group Level 42 hail from the island and, importantly, there are currently three local breweries.
TEMPORARY LOCATION OF HOLIDAY SNAPS: ISLE OF WIGHT 2021 (This is an encrypted link)
If you’re unsure of Dropbox see the bottom of my page: Here
Isle Of Wight Radio
Independent, modern & contemporary pop music, local articles and news:
TOURISM
There are many tourism sites. All seem to be in some way commercial. This is the only one that I found that isn’t and it’s abounding with ideas (and it can be viewed in 40 different languages !)
Other Tourism
NT have twelve properties on the island - a lot for such a small place. Click on the symbol on the locations map here: National Trust
EH have good descriptions of their 5 properties and 4 accomodations on the island: English Heritage
TA have a vast number of hits if you merely put the place name in their Search so start here: TripAdvisor
GEOLOGY
Detailed Study
Being on the edge of a continent the UK has many folds in it geological structure. Because the island is layered with fewer igneous, but particularly softer sedimentary, rocks and strata erosion is the dominant activity being especially true on the south side. One of the best studies of surface geology that I’ve ever seen has been carried out by nearby Southampton University. If you’re not interested now - you will be !
Here is their brilliant in depth treatise: Geology Of the Isle Of Wight by Dr Ian West (photos by Ian Holiday) Email: ianmichaelwest@gmail.com
(Index here: Index)
Natural History Museum
This is a well indexed introduction to British fossils: Natural History Museum Fossils
UK Fossils
Information on any fossil collecting. A very active website (this is the IoW page of their national database): UK Fossils
This website is underpinned by two commercial enterprises: Deposits magazine and Earth Sciences shop.
Countryfile
The BBC One spin-off has a good list of destinations for fossil hunting: Countryfile: Fossil Hunting Destinations
TV programmes are listed here: Countryfile: Programmes
WALKING
There are a large number of guides on the web. The largest selection I found here:
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•National Trust - Twenty superb maps and online guides;
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•IsleOfWight.com Twenty-three guided walks
TRAVEL DISCOUNTS
Not all of these may be available all the time so please see date and other restrictions:
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Reductions to/from the island
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Day and weekly passes are available on the bus eg £10 Anywhere Day Rover.