Arts for All

Ventnor hosts the Isle of Arts Festival over the weekend of April 19^th to 21^{st -} a real smorgasboard of comedy, drama, literature, music, magic and much, much more. Big names this year include comedian and actor Alan Davies with his surreal observational story telling, the humourous Sarfraz Manzoor on how the ‘Boss’ (Bruce Springsteen) influenced his life and best selling author and raconteur (and ex international drug dealer) Howard Marks on his intriguing dealings.

The eclectic line-up includes illusionists Barry and Stuart, children’s storytelling from The Nosey Pacas, Lloyd Lee as Charles Dickens and a talk on Benjamin Britten.There’s a blues brunch on Saturday with JC and the Dance Preachers with cool cajun food from Phileas Fogg and a Jazz Brunch on Sunday with jazz singer and clarinetist Jacqui Kicks accompanied by top notch food from Robert Thompson from the Hambrough. Other musical offerings include edgy rock/pop from The Voice winner Adam Issac, ska from the Skatonics, jazzy pop from the up and coming Miss 60 or if you’re a mod at heart there is music with From The Jam who will be playing hits such as Going Underground, Town Called Malice, Down in the Tube Station at Midnight featuring the Jam’s former guitarist Bruce Foxton.

Isle of Arts is spread between over seven venues throughout the town that include the beautiful East Dene, former home of the poet Swinburne where a ‘Regency Ball’ is to be held on the Sunday night with period dress encouraged, dance cards, period dances from the Bath-based Jane Austen Dancers and the opportunity to learn the moves in a Regency Dancing workshop earlier in the day.

Growing and Eating

Gold-medal winning mainland plant-nurseries that you would see at Chelsea Flower Show and the cream of Isle of Wight garden businesses converge upon Robin Hill Country Park for a superb Spring Garden Show every April and this year it falls on April 27^th and 28^th. Star of the show will be Kate Goodman, the fresh new face of the BBC’s recently re-launched Food & Drink programme who will host the Spring Garden Show’s ‘World of Wine’, with tastings each afternoon for vistors to enjoy. This will complement the Southern Co-operatives ‘Finest Flavours pavilion’ hosting a range of tantalising food stalls and the popular food theatre with guest local chefs who this year will be offering a ‘Follow the Chef’ cook-a-longs where visitors can learn how to fillet a mackerel or prepare asparagus to perfection.

Other attractions include a petting farm for children, laser clay pigeon shooting and falconry displays and the perennially popular IW Chainsaw Carving competition will be bigger than ever in 2013 with no less than seven national and international carvers taking part.

Walking on the Wild Side

Over half of the Isle of Wight is designated AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and has over 500 miles of public footpaths, many of which are included in the annual Walking Festival held for a fortnight at the beginning of May. This year marks the 15^th anniversary of the festival which runs from 4^th – 19^th May and includes over 250 walks that will be trodden by over 20,000 festival-comers from all over the UK and indeed the world.

Some of the walks are free, others ask for a donation to charity and some have a small charge of between £2 and £5. All have themes and you get to learn something of the countryside, the wildlife, the former illustrious residents or even the extinct dinosaurs that lived here long ago.

Family Frolics

Blackgang Chine is possibly the oldest theme park in the country and is celebrating its 170^th anniversary this year with a big party over the weekend of May Bank Holiday 27^th to 30^th. Postman Pat and Jess his cat will be travelling to the Isle of Wight on Red Funnel ferries to make a special visit to this well-loved attraction; making an appearance on the ferry and then spending two days around the park meeting visitors. Added to this there will be other ‘Blackgang characters’ coming to life, especially pirates who will be encouraging you to join in their pirate games – ooh argh! Live music and other activities such as balloon modelling are on offer and the park will be staying open until 7.30pm each night over the celebratory weekend.

Blackgang Chine is one of the oldest theme parks in the country, if not the world. Ever since the original owner, Alexander Dabell, dragged a beached whale from the Needles to his newly opened Chine gardens in 1843, for everyone to see the enormous beast’s bleached bones, there have been people flocking to see the attractions on offer.

Nowadays there is so much more to see and do, with bits being added practically every year. Newer attractions such as the roller coaster ‘Cliff Hanger’ and the ‘Waterforce’ shutes are the most thrilling and adrenalin pumping activities that are on a par with larger amusement parks and a great hit with kids of all ages.

But it’s the oldies but goodies that everyone loves. The maze with its lofty viewing platform from which relatives and friends shout directions. The lifesize dinosaurs on the steep cliff walk who’ve had a new paint job this year – the blue Brontosaurus is an interesting colour combo. Those of a certain age remember Blue Peter covering their arrival back in the sixties.

The Crooked House has been moved a few times, because of subsequent cliff falls, since it was first installed in 1968, but Blackgang wouldn’t be Blackgang without it. Frontier Town must be the only place where you can buy a gun and shoot people – albeit with caps and while you’re pretending to be a cowboy/girl. It’s all so refreshingly non PC.

Walk a little further on and you find the brand new Fairy Castle and Fairyland, which, as everyone has just bought guns, is somewhat incongruously being defended from the battlements by hoards of tiny gunslingers. Little girls love the little fruity fairy homes below too.

Need more exercise? Then there is the giant Snakes and Ladders game next door with loads of steps to climb and slides to take you much faster back down to the bottom.

Want to be scared? Make sure you visit Rumpus Mansion with its eerie inhabitants. Or pay a visit to the dinosaur’s dinner with more monsters to terrify tiny tots.

The enormous fibreglass whale that you enter at your peril, being squirted with water for your troubles, is always full of children screaming with laughter. And Hell’s Mouth is another garish cavern for those who dare to crawl into it.  What’s not to like about being curious and scared in equal measure? You wouldn’t experience this on a computer screen.

But there is a large screen where you can taste The Wight Experience, a helicopter ride around the Island, and some parts are pretty exhilarating – especially as you climb the cliffs at Luccombe or race along the coastline, with the whirring of the helicopter in your ears.

The park also goes to some length to educate the visitor on the history of the surrounding area, the landslides and what might have been nearby in days of yore. A reconstruction of a Victorian sawmill, with the various trades associated with wood. Old steam traction engines and other ancient machinery that would have been used in the fields and local industry long ago.

Blackgang got its name from the local band of brigands who used to plunder the shipwrecks around this coast, so there is a smugglers cave to explore. But pirates have got in on the act too and a new pirate themed area opens next year. The lofty pirate themed Cross Bones Adventure Island playground that spans the walkways near the way out is very popular – how can those kids still have any energy?

And don’t forget the hall of distorting mirrors – another of the original attractions from the mid 1800s that everyone still loves.

The biggest and best has to be the Cowes Week fireworks on the Friday (17^th) but the show at the end of Ventnor Carnival that fills the bay is a pretty good one too, they even appear to burst from the water.

Sponsored by the Spyglass Inn, the fireworks in Ventnor are on Wednesday August 15^th at around 9.30pm (but this is a bit of a moveable feast) and the best places to see them are on the seafront or from above on Belgrave Road. Make sure to see the carnival too, which starts at around 7pm and catch some of the Ventnor Fringe, which begins on this day and runs until Saturday (18^th).

On the same night and on every Wednesday night throughout August there are fireworks at nearby Blackgang Chine that bring an evening of pirate themed frivolity to a close. Beginning at 5.30pm and running through to the fireworks at around 9.15pm, there’s a Pirates’ Treasure Hunt with maps available from the main entrance (5.30pm till 8.30pm), live music with Lewis Berry on the upper patio (6.30pm till 8.45pm) and Magic Shows on the Pizzaria lower patio (5.45pm till 7.15pm). Pirates’ Training School is in the Crossbones play area (6pm till 8.20pm) and the Walk the Plank Quiz is at the Crooked House from 6.15pm till 8.15pm

At Pirate Cove there’s a juggling workshop (6.30pm till 8.30pm), live music with the Tea n Biscuit Boys (6pm till 8.30pm), Fire Performers from 8.30 till 9pm and Battle for the Treasure from 8.45pm till 9pm. Then it’s time for the amazing firework finale at 9.15pm.

Thursday night and the firework finale action moves to the Needles Park throughout August where again there is a full timetable of entertainment, this time from 2pm from the Magic in the Skies Firework Spectacular. A stage is set up in the entrance way to the park and there’s live music from artists such as Lucid, Soul Lounge, Jules Nelson from Dream Machine and Derek Sandy. Plus magic from the imitable Huxley Hunt and more enchantment from Andie Penn and her dog Archie, who are a favourite with kids.

At around 6pm Wave 105 takes over and a different DJ every week presents the evening’s entertainment, with a whole programme of fun as the sun goes down. The culmination of the music and entertainment is the grand firework display from the field behind the IW Glass building that begins at 9.30pm.

Oh all right then, we’ll share…

Sandy…

Compton & Brook – I know – such favourites and forever will be. There is nothing as stunning as Compton at low tide with all the rivers and pools of sun-warmed water to run and splash through.

Ryde – great for riding, kiting, and just about everything else really. The sand here is endless when the tide is out. Perfect for a day with the children building sandcastles.

Bembridge Beach – lovely sandy beach great for kayaking, sailing and kitesurfing and on the opposite side of the entrance to Bembridge Harbour is the wonderful sand dunes of the Duver at St Helen’s. Well worth a wander.

Adventurous & secret…

Chilton Chine – This has steep access down on to the beach but once there it is all sand and Jurassic style coastline. Walk right and you’ll come across some amazing rocks scattered on the beach that are so worn by the sea they look like a dinosaur has just laid down and died leaving his skeleton strewn along the sand.

Rocken End – a real gem this beach requires descent by rope and at the bottom comprises tiny shingle and sometimes crashing waves as the waters from the east and west collide at this most southerly point.

The Sandhard – this tiny beach is often completely overlooked. Hidden behind Yarmouth Harbour, the quickest way to get there is to grab a harbour taxi across the water and walk along the jetty to a lovely little spot with small sand dunes, BBQ and picnic area and pebbled beach directly out onto the Solent.

Retro…

Sandown & Shanklin – a must for arcades, stripy deckchairs, the pier and even donkey rides. The sand at Sandown is such a treat too.

Ventnor – vintage charm itself with the esplanade, framing a picturesque beach perfect for flying a kite or lazing in the sun.

By boat…

Scratchell’s Bay – only accessible by boat this tiny pebble beach sits hidden just the other side of The Needles below towering stacks of chalk cliffs going up to the Needle Old Battery above. With turquoise water that shelves deeply, perfect for swimming, you could be in the med…

New territory – the northern shore of the Island from Yarmouth to Newtown (along the Solent side) is a myriad of tiny private bits of beach that were made for exploring and having a good Barbie. Best approached by boat and beach anchored, they are also fantastic for collecting driftwood!

Stripped bare…

Yes – there are even beaches here on the Island where it is OK to get back to nature. As promoted by British Naturism there are naturist beaches at Culver Beach near Sandown, beneath Blackgang Chine and between Atherfield Point and Shepherds Chine. Go on I dare you…

And that is exactly what happened at Sunday lunch at the new Justin Brown at the Farringford restaurant.

Justin had been experimenting with  a new dessert called ‘ textures’ and as luck would have it only one portion was left – with my name on it I decided after hearing all about it from Josh our very helpful waiter. Apparently it had taken quite a bit of work to get it absolutely perfect and everyone in the kitchen had had to sample it. Well you would wouldn’t you?

It had dark chocolate and white chocolate mousse and milk chocolate and….well that was enough, I had to have it. So along it came, resplendent in white, with a dark praline base and a deep chocolate top, on a beautiful sunburst orange plate. Then there was this special bit when Josh produced a small matching orange drop jug and poured chocolate sauce on top of the cylindrical lid and the ‘surprise’ happened.

Not that I could possibly tell you what it was because clearly that would ruin the whole surprise aspect to the dish. So I suggest you to get over there and experience it for yourselves because it really is something else, as was the rest of our meal.

To start with I had butter poached crevettes that came in a sweet but tangy tomato based sauce with crisp teeny weeny radishes and baby herbs. Placed neatly across the divide between the light and dark sides of another rather stunning plate from Leon in France, these were just the perfect entrée to the roast pork that I had for my main course and very appealingly presented too.

The pork was perfect, came with crunchy little roast potatoes, little pieces of crackling, veg, a good sized Yorkshire pudding and a superb sauce. It just makes a roast, or any dish in my opinion, and this sauce was spot on.

Next was an unexpected palate cleanser, before the dessert, which was a little cup of lemon posset with a drop of lemon sorbet on top, and a tiny beetroot leaf to garnish. All beautifully presented and, as promised, a perfect zing to the palate that was soon to be experiencing chocolate paradise on a plate. What’s more it was another surprise as it wasn’t on the menu.

Did I mention the dessert? Oh yes, I think I did. Or did I?

Stuffed was the word for how we felt by the end of our lunch – satiated, satisfied and replete. Not uncomfortably so, but definitely full. I mention this only because there are some places where you can have a whole meal and this does not occur.

Behind us on the bar sat the awards that Justin Brown has already achieved and he aims to have one Michelin Star and three AA Rosettes within two years. A lot of the Hambrough regulars have been over to check him out since he opened I hear…

Of course one of the big bonuses about a trip to the West Wight is the trip over if you live in the south. We drove in the sunshine, marvelling at the scene from Blackgang viewpoint and then all along the Military road, which, as ever, was stunning. I feel so sorry for people who don’t live in the south of the Island because they don’t get to approach Freshwater this way. I suggest that if you’re coming from anywhere else that you get on the Military road as soon as possible – at Brighstone or Brook if not at Chale. It’s worth it just for the last bit as you coast down the hill into Freshwater Bay and see Tennyson Down rising majestically in front of you.

There’s something very special about Freshwater and there’s certainly an amazing restaurant there now too – enlightening dare I say.

Following the success of Blackgang’s first Fairy Festival in 2011, plans are already well in hand to hold the second festival on the 6th and 7th May 2012, over the May Day bank holiday weekend.

This special two day event will celebrate all that is magical about the fairy kingdom and would-be fairies and their friends are welcome to come along and join in!

With live ‘greenwood’ music provided by Lucid, JC & Angelina, with wandering wizards, belly-dancing fairies, spell-making workshop, the royal patronage of the Fairy Queen and her friend, the mischievous Puck, a ‘wishing’ tree, and even ‘fairy marriages’, Blackgang Chine will feel sprinkled with more than a little fairy-dust!

The area around St. Catherine’s Point has always had a mysterious air and there have been reported sightings of fairie folk at Puckaster and on the downs behind. Perhaps this is not that surprising as at least two powerful ancient ley-lines which join pre-historic sites across the UK end at this southerly point on the Island.

Last year’s festival saw over 1,600 visitors come along and this year it is hoped to see even more with special gifts for all fairies, elves and sprites that attend!

Here are some great dog friendly places to walk to for a pint and a sandwich…

South Wight

The walk: A meander down past St. Catherine’s lighthouse to Rocken End beach, and then back along the path that hugs the coast, with a steep climb back up to the top, is sure to whet your appetite. Or you might opt to clamber down through the landslip to Blackgang beach from the old Blackgang road that abruptly stops at the place where the landslide of 1928 broke it in two.

Either way you’ll be pleased to hear that the Buddle Inn at Niton will welcome you and your dog, either in the garden or inside the pub, and have water containers for your thirsty pooch.  A short drive to Ventnor will find you two more dog-friendly pubs: the Spyglass on the seafront and the Bonchurch Inn.

The walk: Shanklin Beach towards Luccombe is a refreshing walk when the tide is low, with the ominous dark cliffs above you and interesting finds on the beach, and on your return you can take your dog into the Fisherman’s Cottage, or sit outside in the small walled garden.

Central Wight

The walk: Meander through Brighstone Forest, then wander to the Longstone or take a brisk walk on Brook beach and you could repair to the Sun Inn at Hulverstone with your dog in tow. Lovely views here across the fields to the sea and a roaring fire in the front bar when the weather gets colder. Or you could try the Crown Inn at Shorwell, which has a pretty garden with trout swimming in the stream.

East Wight

The walk: Fantastic views are afforded from the top of Culver Cliff at the eastern end of the Island, and sunset from this vantage point is often spectacular. You can see all the way from the south of the Island to Selsey Bill, and to the north you can see across the rolling fields of the Island to Portsmouth’s spinnaker tower.

Culver Haven opposite the old coastguard cottages at the top of Culver Cliff has an extensive menu and is very dog friendly, both inside the pub and in the small garden at the back. Down by the water’s edge at Bembridge Ledge the Crab and Lobster welcome dogs as does the Pilot Boat on Bembridge Harbour.

West Wight

The walk: There’s a great flat walk from Yarmouth to Freshwater along the former railway track with a pub at each end! Start at the Bugle Coaching Inn in The Square in  Yarmouth and head up the track to the Red Lion in Freshwater, just across the Causeway that crosses the river about halfway along – both welcome dogs.

North Wight

The walk: Another waterside walk is that from the Folly Inn to Island Harbour and back, where you and your dog will have a warm welcome at the Folly on your return.  Gurnard has a lovely walk along the coastal path towards Thorness with wonderful views across the Solent and just a short drive away is the Traveller’s Joy – also a joy for dog owners.

Do you have a favourite dog friendly pub? If so post a comment and let us know!

In November there are two phantom finding events that you can attend if you dare: one is a paranormal investigation at Blackgang Chine on Saturday November 19^th and the other is a Ghost Walk and supper at Osborne House on Friday November 25^th. Then on Saturday December 17th there is a Victorian Murder Mystery Dinner at Osborne House with participants encouraged to dress in appropriate period clothing and two murders to solve.

Ghost Walk host Marc Tuckey is particularly looking forward to the Blackgang investigation on November 19^th as during a recent recce there was a lot of ‘activity’ going on as it is referred to in psychic circles. “We picked up a lot of good stuff,” said Marc.

Medium Sarah Wilkins will be on hand to help find, guide and help any spirits that are lurking around this formerly smuggler infested Chine. Legend dictates that the Chine was named after the Black Gang of smugglers who would relieve wrecked ships of their cargo after they hit the notorious rocks around this coast. But it is certainly true that many poor sailors and voyagers lost their lives along this coastline.

You get a briefing on ghost hunting techniques and a demonstration of how all the equipment works at the beginning of the evening. Then there are paranormal experiments and vigils interspersed with regular refreshment breaks with a debriefing and discussion of all your finds at the end of this long dark night that runs from 10pm till 4am. Price is £40 per head including the refreshments.

On November 25^th there will be an altogether more upmarket perambulate among the grounds of Osborne House, when Marc takes a select few on a very rare ghost walk followed by a sedate supper in the restaurant.

There are two types of apparitions apparently: those of people who have died, possibly in suspicious or sudden circumstances, and those that are just a trace of an instance in time. So who knows, you may experience a memory of those Victorian Royals on a jolly around the gardens, or maybe something more sinister.

In December the Ghost Island crew return to Osborne House for a morbid Murder Mystery dinner – a first for the team and already filling up fast. Two bodies are discovered and you have to find out who dunnit. “It’s an assassination attempt on Queen Victoria,” explained Marc. “Everyone will be in Victorian costume and people are encouraged to dress in the same style, although they don’t have to.”

Booking for the Victorian Murder Mystery is through Heidi at Osborne House on 298052 and costs per person is £60.

So our whirlwind tour first and foremost took in Robin Hill and Blackgang Chine (in the pouring rain – where every available Princess castle, mushroom house and fairy archway was occupied by a shivering soaking adult!). Both a total hit for everyone, regardless of the weather.

Then there was the new Owl and Monkey Haven – all very new and sparkly and with some very entertaining residents. The girls particularly loved the outdoor play area. Then going a bit further back in time, Dinosaur Isle, which was totally fascinating for me to fully see how many historic finds there have been on our beach at Brook! The girls enjoyed the interactive aspects but I think a return visit when they are a bit older is definitely in order for them to really get the whole dinosaur Island angle.

However they totally adored Seaview Wildlife Encounter – with so many different birds and animals (they loved the wallabies) to see and feed – it really was hands on.

We also managed Butterfly & Fountain World, Isle of Wight Zoo, a gorgeous cream tea and painting at Chessell Pottery to name but a few.

And at this point the Wife and I were so tired we never wanted to venture out again and we still hadn’t even scratched the surface of the huge list of attractions the Island has to offer.

I was surprised to find that actually it is totally exhausting to try and do one or two attractions a day for a whole week! Throwing in the towel, it was with great relief that we admitted defeat and decided to save the other attractions for special treats throughout the year!

So a valuable lesson learn’t – to properly take in the Island attraction scene you need to come and visit here at least three times… its official!

Master Mariners fave attraction: Robin Hill

The Wife’s fave attraction: Chessell Pottery

The Girls fave attraction: Blackgang Chine

So here’s our whistle-stop tour of Island attractions…

For adventure…

Blackgang Chine

The oldest and the best  – everyone you ever meet who’s holidayed on the Island visited Blackgang at some point in their youth or will remember watching the life size dinosaurs being lifted into the site live on Blue Peter back in the 70’s. Perched on the edge of the chine at Blackgang this first opened in 1843 to entertain the growing market of Victorians who decided the Island was fashionable (as Queen Victoria was holidaying here they thought they should too!). Some of the original attractions are still open to the public, like the hall of mirrors – a huge hit to this day. The park appeals to all ages with everything from fairy castles to rollercoaster and waterslides.

Robin Hill

Set within 88 acres of park and downland, Robin Hill is a country park full of things to discover for all the family, from jungle adventure areas to magical ponds hidden within the woods. Robin Hill still has a bit of everything – activities, displays and nature in abundance. And even though the Park is more about nature than thrill seeking there are still plenty of rides to enjoy, don’t miss Colossus, a swinging galleon boat ride, The Time Machine, a 28 seat motion platform simulator or everyone’s favourite the Toboggan Run, a 300 metre twisting and turning course of metal half-pipe, designed as a track for toboggans.

For wildlife…

Seaview Wildlife Encounter

Its all about the birds at Seaview Wildlife Encounter with over 84 different species to meet and learn about. There are flamingos and parrots, penguins and pelicans, and everywhere there are ducks, geese and swans that love being hand fed by all the visiting children. The park also has a reptile house, pygmy goats, alpacas, Meerkats and wallabies to name but a few – so offers a real all round wildlife experience! Make sure you catch the feeding times – especially the wallabies and penguins – for a chance to get really up close and personal with these fascinating creatures.

Isle of Wight Zoo

The Isle of Wight Zoo is a big cat sanctuary, giving homes to rescued cats, from tigers to lions, and is one of the best places in the country to get really close to these spectacular animals. With a big emphasis on conservation, an intimate experience is on offer at the zoo with hands on action with zoo at home, where youngsters can handle guinea pigs, rabbits and even bearded dragons, while learning all about their care needs. Or for a real treat book a ‘Lemur Feeding Experience’ and get to enter the enclosure for a fun time with these mischievous little fellows.

Small but perfectly formed – ones you can do in a few hours

Calbourne Mill

Set in 35 acres of stunning landscape, Calbourne Mill is a great way to pass an hour or two on a glorious, sunny, Isle of Wight day. The only working water mill on the Island (and containing one of the oldest working water mills in the country, dating back to the Domesday Book), there is lots to see and do with museums and displays. You can see the Mill in action daily, where they produce approximately 30-40 tons of flour each year. In season hire a punt on the mill stream, play miniature golf on the putting green or enjoy croquet on the lawn. The Mill has a lovely café selling all sorts of yummy homemade fayre and the children just love feeding the peacocks, doves and ducks that wander freely around the grounds.

Dinosaur Isle

Definitely one for anyone with an interest in anything prehistoric! Dinosaur Isle hosts a permanent exhibition of some of the amazing finds that have been discovered on the Isle of Wight over the past decades. It is not until you visit and see them in their reassembled form and maps of where they were found, that you truly understand how important the Island is to paleontologists. And of courses knowing the spots where new dinosaur species have been discovered adds a whole new element to taking a beach stroll along the Island’s south coast! There is something for children of all ages with displays, quizzes and interactive dinosaur models and activities – like smelling dinosaur poo!

Butterfly and Fountain World

OK, so these two are a bit of an oddity, but prove a surprising hit with little ones – especially on a rainy day. Both are undercover and do exactly what they say in the title – one is a hothouse of all sorts of beautiful butterflies that flutter all around you as you walk. Displays explain the different species and their origins and show the chrysalises waiting to transform. Fountain World is entered through an adjoining door and is a most peculiar mix of styles and tastes from Japanese water gardens to Roman fountains. However, with water jets to run under it is a definite hit with the very little ones.

Owl and Monkey Haven

This new attraction to the Island is well thought out and has some really engaging residents – like the Colobus monkeys and the Lar Gibbons whose laughter is seriously contagious! There is a café, great outdoor playground and loads of different monkeys and owls to meet. Catch the daily talks to see them fed and hear about their stories.

Amazon World

Amazon World Zoo Park has a huge range of unusual, rare and exotic animals, but it is more than a just a collection of animals, it is a centre for education and conservation. At the last count it was home to around 200 different species, spanning the entire animal kingdom, including tapirs, sloths, otters and bats to reptiles, birds, fish, insects and spiders – they even have exotic plant life!

Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary was first established in 1987 to provide any donkey in distress or in need of care and attention, a safe and permanent home. The charity relies entirely on donations and the many fundraising activities held throughout the year. The sanctuary is free to visit and is currently home to lots of friendly donkeys – all of whom love visitors and would love to be adopted too!

1.The Robert Hooke Trail, Friday 26th October

A picturesque ramble through fields and along paths in beautiful Freshwater, which may have been trodden by 17th century scientist, Robert Hooke (1635 – 1703), is the basis for this walk. He’s the one who had a lot of the ideas that Newton later proved such as deducing that gravity follows an inverse square law, was a pioneer in map making and he was also an early proponent of biological evolution. Born in Freshwater, his father John was a Church of England priest and the curate of Freshwater’s Church of All Saints. The walk starts at 10am at Fort Victoria Planetarium. (Grid Ref: 457 825, Bus: 7, The Savoy) and the duration is 3.5hrs over 7 miles. A voluntary donation to the Robert Hooke Society is requested. Contact: Charles Davidson Tel:  (01983) 756788

2. Hendrix in the West Wight, Saturday 27th October

Three hundred years or so later it was the turn of pioneering electric guitarist and singer, Jimi Hendrix, to set the stage alight at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival in Freshwater. Jimi Hendrix is revisited on this walk from the Hendrix Memorial Garden at Dimbola where his memorial statue stands. You get to view the Afton festival site and hear all about the Island’s amazing invasion of 600,000 hippies who came to see Jimi and many other greats. You also view IW Festival biographer Brian Hinton’s Festival exhibition at Dimbola. The walk starts at 12:30pm at Dimbola Lodge, Freshwater Bay (Grid Ref: 345 856 Bus: 12, 7, Freshwater Bay), the duration is 2.5hrs over 4 miles and a donation to Dimbola Lodge is requested. Contact: Steve Brook Tel:  (01983) 291122

3. Sing Along With Den, Saturday 27^th October

Walk with a spring in your step and a song in your heart, belting out a tune with your host and conductor Den Clare. Song sheets are provided for this flat walk and if you have any requests just contact Den a week before and he can add them to his repertoire. Musical instruments are very welcome; guitars, percussion, even comb and paper! But if you don’t have something to play just bring your voice as there will be plenty of people to sing with on this pretty walk along the cycle track from the former Merstone Station in Merstone Lane. Your singalong begins at 2pm, there is parking for a few cars at this location but the number 3 bus stops just outside and is your best bet. The walk takes around one and a half hours over just three miles and it’s free. Contact Den Clare on (01983) 866999 with any song requests or further details.

4. Wordsmiths of Bonchurch, Sunday 28^th October

So many writers came to Bonchurch in Victorian times, Dickens being the most famous and he wrote part of David Copperfield whilst staying at the Winterbourne. The historian and poet Macaulay and the poet Swinburne had homes here too along with many others. See where well-known writers lived and worked on this walk – Dickens used to play rounders with his staff on Bonchurch beach in the afternoons after writing from the early mornings for example. There is an optional strenuous walk through the landslip whose dramatic scenery attracted writers and artists and still does. The walk starts at 10am at Bonchurch Pond (Grid Ref: 574 781 Bus: 3, Upper Bonchurch or Trinity Rd, Ventnor). The duration is 3hrs over 3 miles and a donation to Gift to Nature is requested. Contact: Maggie Nelmes Tel:  (01983) 852274

5. Speed Dating Walk, Sunday 28th October

Always popular and always needing more men, the Speed Dating walk along Sandown Bay is billed as the opportunity to ‘Meet the person of your dreams’ and several couples have met this way since the walk began – in fact there have been four weddings! To join in the popular and successful Speed Dating Walk along to Sandown Bay you have to fill in an application form, which is available online. The walk starts at 11am at Fisherman’s Cottage, Shanklin Esplanade (Grid Ref: 585 810 Bus: 2, 3, 22, 23, Shanklin High Street), the duration is 3hrs over 4 miles and the cost is £12 and is non-returnable and includes a light lunch. Contact: Elaine Cesar Tel:  (01983) 823070 Mob: 07970 009909

Reef Television has been commissioned by BBC Two Daytime to produce Britain’s First Photo Album, a 10 x 30 mins series on the extraordinary achievement of Francis Frith, the pioneer Victorian photographer who embarked upon a colossal project to photograph as much of the United Kingdom as possible during the second half of the 19th century.

John Sargeant, once the BBC political editor and more recently famous for his celebrity dancing, is the presenter and he and the production team filmed on the Island earlier this week. At Blackgang the original postcard view of the old entrance to the park, which housed the whale’s skeleton compares dramatically with the view today, where virtually everything has fallen into the sea.  John explored the origins of this visitor attraction with Simon Dabell, the great great grandson of the founder and Managing Director of the business still owned by the same family today.

The programme went on to look at the Botanic Gardens in Ventnor and the famous Tuberculosis hospital built there in the 19th century.

The pictures taken by Frith and his staff are viewed as one of the first and most comprehensive pictorial records of the UK, a wonderfully evocative record of our shared history, and equally a present day insight into the social landscape of Britain.

Presented by John Sergeant, each episode will focus on four storylines, all inspired by a Frith photo. John will look to unfold the significance of each image, bringing them to life by meeting present day people who have a connection to these stories from the past. Each show will have a fascinating mix of different stories, taking us on a journey across Britain.

Now it was time to put my money where my mouth was as our South African niece was coming to visit for 6 days. A mixture of excitement and trepidation filled me. I mean the Isle of Wight IS wonderful, but our niece lives in a very cool and scenic South African town 50yrds from the beach and is a teenager looking for adventure.

I was going to have to pull something out of the bag, something to compete with surfing on the Indian Ocean, with abseiling Table Mountain, with driving the Garden Route, with safari at Kruger Park!

We’ll we have got kite surfing at Brook, coasteering at Freshwater Bay (IOW Sea Kayaking), the picturesque Military Road and some plastic dinosaurs at Blackgang Chine, but I needed something original…..the clock was ticking…..

Day 1 is decided for me with a 17hour round trip to Bangor to pick Else up from her sailing regatta. The day is spent looking at English motorway scenery and Welsh road signs that look like a text message you’ve written assuming your on predictive text  but actually aren’t.  Day 2 and day 3 are taken up with London and Southampton respectively as Else enjoys England without seeing any of the Island.

So we’ve 2 days left and the need to impress is pending. What to do? The obvious then hits me like a 25ft wave…..Else-sailing-sailing-Cowes week. There was nothing for it I was going to have to buy myself a pair of red trousers, tie my pullover over my shoulders and get myself down to Cowes for a debut visit. I’ve never really got my head round sailing, I don’t know my jib from my spanker ,and  I thought ‘boom’ was a Basil Brush impression and  that ‘stern’ was the look I’d get when eating the fruit out of my Pimms with my fingers.

However, a bright sunny day welcomed us into Egypt Point and sat amongst the masses along the seafront Else revelled in explaining exactly what was going on with the Extreme 40 catamaran’s. After a walk to the marina, a bit of shopping and mingling with the upper set we returned in good spirits to Gurnard and the kids new favourite play park before driving home. Cowes had been a massive success. The kids loved the street activities especially watching the parachutists, Mummy loved the cocktails and Daddy thought it fabulous to spend a week’s wages in a single evening.

On the last day Else helped Pocahontas prepare Tink’s Birthday party but we squeezed (between the septuagenarians) a visit to IOW Pearl and an evening at the Waterfront and its unrivalled sunset.

What we gained from having a visitor is that the Island has something for everyone, whether it is a teenage niece from South Africa, an adrenalin junkie uncle or a turkey and tinsel loving granny. We hope that when Else gets time between jumping 30ft into mountain plunge pools and riding elephants bareback that she remembers the IOW fondly and presses the ‘like’ button below because she thinks it’s wonderful too….

Here are some great dog friendly places to walk to for a pint and a sandwich…

South Wight

The walk: A meander down past St. Catherine’s lighthouse to Rocken End beach, and then back along the path that hugs the coast, with a steep climb back up to the top, is sure to whet your appetite. Or you might opt to clamber down through the landslip to Blackgang beach from the old Blackgang road that abruptly stops at the place where the landslide of 1928 broke it in two.

Either way you’ll be pleased to hear that the Buddle Inn at Niton will welcome you and your dog, either in the garden or inside the pub, and have water containers for your thirsty pooch.  A short drive to Ventnor will find you two more dog-friendly pubs: the Spyglass on the seafront and the Bonchurch Inn.

The walk: Shanklin Beach towards Luccombe is a refreshing walk when the tide is low, with the ominous dark cliffs above you and interesting finds on the beach, and on your return you can take your dog into the Fisherman’s Cottage, or sit outside in the small walled garden.

Central Wight

The walk: Meander through Brighstone Forest, then wander to the Longstone or take a brisk walk on Brook beach and you could repair to the Sun Inn at Hulverstone with your dog in tow. Lovely views here across the fields to the sea and a roaring fire in the front bar when the weather gets colder. Or you could try the Crown Inn at Shorwell, which has a pretty garden with trout swimming in the stream.

East Wight

The walk: Fantastic views are afforded from the top of Culver Cliff at the eastern end of the Island, and sunset from this vantage point is often spectacular. You can see all the way from the south of the Island to Selsey Bill, and to the north you can see across the rolling fields of the Island to Portsmouth’s spinnaker tower.

Culver Haven opposite the old coastguard cottages at the top of Culver Cliff has an extensive menu and is very dog friendly, both inside the pub and in the small garden at the back. Down by the water’s edge at Bembridge Ledge the Crab and Lobster welcome dogs as does the Pilot Boat on Bembridge Harbour.

West Wight

The walk: There’s a great flat walk from Yarmouth to Freshwater along the former railway track with a pub at each end! Start at the Bugle Coaching Inn in The Square in  Yarmouth and head up the track to the Red Lion in Freshwater, just across the Causeway that crosses the river about halfway along – both welcome dogs.

North Wight

The walk: Another waterside walk is that from the Folly Inn to Island Harbour and back, where you and your dog will have a warm welcome at the Folly on your return.  Gurnard has a lovely walk along the coastal path towards Thorness with wonderful views across the Solent and just a short drive away is the Traveller’s Joy – also a joy for dog owners.

Do you have a favourite dog friendly pub? If so post a comment and let us know!

Nothing can more epitomise this than the staggering views of eroding coastline, slumping cliffs and geological drama that confronts the visitor to Blackgang.

Here the processes of coastal erosion are plain to see, the retreat of the crumbling cliffs so fast that in recent times roads, houses, and whole communities have crashed over the edge, to be dashed to pieces and washed away by tide and time. To the east the towering cliffs where seabirds wheel and cry stand sentinel over the beach of Rocken End, a hidden place and a scramble to get to; much loved by naturists and not somewhere to go if bodies beautiful and not so beautiful offend!

To the west the views take the eye along the “Back of the Wight” and here the drama of erosion is plain to see. When first I arrived on the Island as one looked west from Blackgang a whole row of cottages could be seen and the grounds of the chine spread further west. Continuous and sometime dramatic, slumps and falls have taken the cottages away much of old Blackgang and its village have disappeared too. The history of the site is well told at the chine but it is the sheer scale of Earth’s natural processes being brought to bear on this landscape that leaves one feeling small and insignificant.

As you survey the scene of almost apocalypitic drama, it is humbling to realise that the havoc wrought on our puny veneer of habitation is unearthing millions of years of our evolution. Not so many metres away from the garish resin dinosaurs of Blackgang Chine the strata is giving up its secrets as whole skeletons and a wealth of fossils crash to the beach below. In the oozing slipping mudstones and jumble of sandstone new species wait to be discovered from time to time significant finds are made and the world of palaeontology goes wild with excitement as a species new to science is released from its lithic tomb.

The ever present danger of cliff fall makes the drama of the view out from the chine a surreal experience and certainly my family pictures with scenic backdrops of eroding cliffs have over a period of twenty five years captured huge and unremitting changes in the Isle of Wight landscape at this point. Maybe not the explosive action of an Icelandic volcano but still an immense example of geomorphological change.

First up something quite sedate I thought, Swan Pedalos at Ryde, haven’t done that in years! So half an hour later of manic pedalling and splashing around, my inactive calve muscles feeling like they were going to explode, I had to head for shore; much to the disapproval of the grandsons. It is curious the youngest of the boys didn’t want to get on in the first place, viewing these huge white fibreglass swans with deep suspicion and hanging on tightly to “gramps”, now when I want to stop, there he is shouting more, again, again. Oh well one more turn around won’t harm!

Travelling to the other side of the Island a visit to Blackgang Chine – a veritable fest of fibreglass “tackiness” my word for an ageing theme park that I have to say still has the ability to draw the crowds and just watching my grandsons hurtling around in dinosaur world, staring at the luridly coloured monster reptiles, (who decided on the colours?) was immense fun.

Hours later and with every inch of Blackgang explored, ice creams in hand two happy chappies beamed with pleasure at the thought of returning for another visit later in the week, and yes I did enjoy it, no it isn’t my scene but for sheer pleasure of seeing the grandchildren have such a fabulous time its hard to beat. I doubt that I would go without the excuse of grandchildren but there will always be the opportunity to do it all again when they come to stay with “Gramps”.

So off to some wonderful public house with a garden, a pint of well earned beer for me and crisps and some mother banned beverage for the grandchildren, because grandads can do that and what a happy day was had by all. The boys slept well that night and Grandad wasn’t far behind them.

1. Bat Detectives*
Join the Bat Detectives on Tuesday 2 August and Thursday 1 September to stroll round the West Wight and discover the twilight world of these fascinating little creatures.

2. Soak up the Cowes Week Fever

Even for those who don’t sail, Cowes Week (6-13 August) is an event not to miss. Whether watching the spectacle of hundreds of yachts heading out to race around the Solent, or wandering the town taking in the free street entertainment, bands, stalls and enticing shops – it is definitely a great day out for all the family.

3. Take in a Heritage Exhibition

Learn all about Brook Village at this diverse exhibition at The Seely Hall in Brook. Open to everyone free of charge daily from Friday 19th to Sunday 28th August, 10.30am-5.30pm, make sure you checkout the  8mm cine film, photos and memories of 1950s and 60s seaside holidays at Brook and Compton.

4. Guided Seaside Plant Walk*

Take a guided walk on Saturday 20 August from 10.00-12.00 and learn all about the unique flora and fauna along our coastal paths.

5. See History Come to Life

Join the action on Sunday 21st August from 2 – 5pm at a living history re-enactment of village life in Saxon Chessell, Brook and Mottistone. Taking place on the green opposite Seely Hall in Brook, watch a Viking battle; learn hurdle- making and talk to a Neolithic inhabitant of the area…

6. Become a Fossil Hunter*

On Monday 8 August from 10.00-12.00 and Tuesday 16 August from 17.00-19.00 find out what’s in the rocks. Ammonites or the next T-Rex? See what you can unearth as you explore Fort Victoria Country Park near Yarmouth. All budding paleontologists must be accompanied by a responsible adult!

7. Whooshhh – Watch some Fireworks

Take in a free fireworks display across the Island this August. Every Thursday night sees ‘Magic in the Sky’ at the Needles Park. These fireworks shoot out over the night sky above Alum Bay and the Needles – great experienced from anywhere on the surrounding downs and even better from below by boat! On the other side of the coast out over Blackgang Chine is a beautiful display every Wednesday night through the summer. Park in the viewpoint car park and a short stroll gives you unprecedented views. And of course the one not to be missed is the grand finale firework display that ends Cowes Week every year (this year Friday 12^th August at 9.30pm). If you can’t get on a boat and experience it from the water, make your way to anywhere along the front in Cowes (Prince’s Green is a good spot), bring a rug, lie back and watch the sky come to life.

8. Create a Kaleidoscope*

Celebrate our Victorian heritage by trying your hand at making a kaleidoscope at this arty workshop in Freshwater Parish Hall. Two sessions will take place on Tuesday 30 August from 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-16.00 and are more suitable for children 8 years and over.

9. Go on a Heritage Walk

Part of the Brook Village History Summer Heritage Exhibition & weekend of events, a series of guided heritage walks, taking in the history and nature surrounding Brook, are planned between Friday 19th – Sunday 28th August 2011. Contact brookvillagehistory@yahoo.co.uk or 01983 240986 for dates and times of walks.

10. Rock Pooling

Prepare to don your wellies and dip your toes in the water to see what’s been left behind by the tide at Freshwater Bay. Great fun for all the family – children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and suitable footwear is essential! Taking place on Wednesday 31 August from 17.00-19.00 – bring a dipping net if you have one!

*All WWLP organized events are FREE but booking is essential and places are limited so call 01983 759779 or email Irene.fletcher@iow.gov.uk for more details, including locations and meeting times.

The obvious resort beaches of the Island have long been renowned as safe places for the family to swim but for those who feel a little more adventurous then the south coast is the place to head. Many Islanders can be found heading for Compton Bay where the seemingly endless sweep of beach backed by low cliffs make a heliophile’s heaven.

When my family were younger we would pack the trusty camper and head to Compton for the late afternoon, meet with friends, and picnic and beach party until late in the evening.  Maybe, not wanting to go home we would camp at Compton Farm and enjoy a full cooked breakfast with fresh milk and eggs from the farm.

Easter weekend and a visit to my place of work Ventnor Botanic Garden found it full of happy people just relaxing.  With so much to do and see on the Island sometimes it is just good to have somewhere to go and do nothing, the Botanic Garden is ideally suited for this purpose but there is always plenty to provide a visual treat and if you do feel remotely energetic a brief walk takes you down to Steephill Cove.

Whilst in the vicinity of Ventnor if you do feel like walking, a moderately strenuous hike will take you to the top of the highest point on the Island, St. Boniface Down where the views are quite truly spectacular and at this moment the air is heavy with the coconut smell of gorse in full bloom.  Skylarks are to be heard and occasionally their rapid plummet to earth can be witnessed as you scan the sky to locate where their song is coming from.