Formerly the Windcliffe Manor, this beautiful Victorian house was built in 1838 and was home to the Kirkpatrick family. Now it is owned and run by husband and wife team Maggie and Ric Hilton, who bought the property six years ago while being filmed by the TV show ‘Homes Under the Hammer’.

Inspired by the work of artist Josephine Wall, Maggie and Ric hit upon the totally unique idea to turn the hotel into the Enchanted Manor – a deluxe boutique retreat. With eight opulent suites, boasting open plan bathrooms with free standing baths next to four poster beds, the entire feel of the place is a mix of fantasy and romance. The large Wall paintings dominate the walls and an eclectic mix of ornaments and nik naks dot the paths and walkways.

Even the most unromantic soul would relax in these surroundings, delight in the wonderful walks that are nearby and soak in the hot tub while enjoying Maggie and Ric’s hospitality.

An Australian ex-fisherman (and the man who pioneered the first mussel farm in Western Australia), Ric is as down to earth as they come and nothing is too much trouble, while Maggie is the glamorous side of the duo, and it is her attention to detail and personal touches that make staying at the manor such a memorable experience.

As Maggie pointed out: “There is no exact type of visitor that comes to stay at the Enchanted Manor. We have all sorts – from young lovers, to older couples, and mother and daughters. Everyone has special days to celebrate such as birthdays or anniversaries and sometimes people want to say sorry and make up – and we help them with that too”.

This can be see on their website where in advance of your visit you can order bespoke labeled goods from chocolates to champagne. “We’ve had people stay who have requested bespoke labeling saying “I’m sorry” and it seems to have done the trick”, added Maggie. And it certainly seems to be working with visitors coming back and staying time and again – and rating their experiences so highly that in 2011 The Enchanted Manor was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by tripadvisor.

In fact, The Enchanted Manor boasts a veritable plethora of awards that firmly position it as a first class boutique retreat with 5 star ratings from both the AA and Visit Britain.

The Enchanted Manor often hosts weddings too and has both an inside and outside area set up especially for the ceremony. “We only do small weddings of about 40 people here.” said Ric, and the weddings are definitely something the couple really enjoy doing.

Although offering breakfast (a wonderful feast compete with heart shaped sausage and baked beans in a heart shaped ramekin) and picnic hampers on demand, the Manor doesn’t have a restaurant. “We enjoy doing what we do,” said Ric “and so prefer to recommend local places to eat”. The up side is that you are encouraged to bring your own bubbles or wine and keep it in the fridge in your room – which you may then enjoy while relaxing in the hot tub outside.

“It’s tricky,” Maggie said, “as we are not quite a hotel, due to not having a restaurant or bar, yet we are more than a B&B – we need a new classification just for us.” she adds with a smile.

Well, plans may be afoot to add a romantic restaurant in the future, but until then I’d happily say that if the classification was Relaxing Romantic Retreat – they’d be top of my list for sure.

East

To the East there are two lovely old properties as you drive onto The Duver at St Helen’s. On the corner is Old Church Lodge, a traditional style Victorian one storey stone cottage with a feature entrance porch and pretty surrounding garden. It has glimpses of the coast and an open fire to snuggle up in front of in the sitting room, with an easy walk to the sea wall and the beach with its beautiful beach huts. Down the road and you are on the Duver, a stretch of sand dunes, flora and fauna, owned by the Trust and a haven for seabirds and other wildlife.

Just past this is the Old Clubhouse: an attractive wooden chalet, formerly the clubhouse for the old Royal Isle of Wight Golf Club that was here until 1961. This property has been adapted for accompanied disabled visitors and its verandah overlooks the Duver.

South

You can stay at the southernmost tip of the Island at Knowles Farm Cottage, right by the lighthouse (no foghorn!) and within reach of the seashore and beaches at Castle Haven and Rocken End. There are lovely views across the small, walled garden and fields to the sea and there is an open fire in the sitting room. Access is by a steep private road, from which normal public traffic is prohibited.

Chert in St Lawrence, near Ventnor, is closer to civilization with a loftier view of the coastline and a real vintage atmosphere. It is a unique ‘mirror image’ 70s house, covered in mosaic work made from the rocks in which it sits, tucked against a wooded cliff. There are wonderful sea views from the expansive first floor windows and large balcony. A central spiral staircase leads up to the first floor where two identical wings meet in a central hall way and the largely monochrome interior has touches of bright orange and turquoise with furniture is very much in 70′s style.

West

To the West of the Island you can opt to stay in the closest properties to the iconic Needles: three of the Coastguard Cottages on the Needles Headland are available to rent from the NT. Pomone, Irex and Varvassi are in a terrace of little red brick cottages that enjoy spectacular views of Alum Bay, the downlands, the Solent and the mainland coast. Up a steep and winding road from Alum Bay, they stand in an area of 370 acres of open downland owned by The National Trust and each has an open fire in their sitting rooms.

South West

For seclusion without quite so much exposure you might like to opt for 1 or 2 Compton Farm Cottages, in two 19th century stone semi-detached farm workers’ cottages that nestle into a sheltered dell under the south side of the down. Only a few yards from the cliff edge at Compton, and within easy reach of the beach (steep steps down to Compton Farm Beach), there are wonderful walks in all directions from the front door.

Not far away but further inland stands Longstone Cottage at Mottistone, and whilst it doesn’t have views of the sea a short walk takes you to the nearby Longstone and a panoramic view of the south-west coastline. This spacious, detached Edwardian cottage has only gas – no electricity – so you’ll really get to escape from it all here. Heating and lights are provided by Calor Gas and there is a multi fuel stove in the sitting room.

Standing at the head of the Longstone Valley at Mottistone, it is only a stone’s throw from the Island’s only standing stone and has far-reaching views and a large peaceful garden – an ideal base for walking holidays. Access to this isolated cottage is via a winding trackway with locked gates, across a common on which wild New Forest ponies graze.

North

To the north of the Island the NT have a Victorian house right on the seafront at Cowes with splendid views of Cowes Harbour and the Solent.

East and West Rosetta Cottages are “ideal for large family occasions or for yachting enthusiasts,” says the NT website. West Rosetta is the larger share of the house with five bedrooms and French doors to the garden and a sunroom. East Rosetta is to the side of the main property, has three bedrooms and has a raised garden to the rear.

Here we’ve pulled together our Top 10 Stargazing Stays…

Best National Trust site for Camping

Compton Farm is in an especially dark spot, far from any towns or villages and nestling beneath the downs. You can easily walk up onto the downs from here to get a panoramic view or set up your telescope on the cliff above Compton Beach or, if you’re feeling energetic, down on the beach below.

Best for luxury

Despite the lighthouse, St Catherine’s Point is a good place for star watching, or above at the car park at the end of the old Blackgang Road. On the road between these two points sits the Enchanted Manor, which has an enviable reputation for its hotel/bed and breakfast accommodation – Maggie and Ric have won many accolades including ‘Three in a Bed’ and this is a hotel that will have your head in the clouds.

Best for Lording it Up

Shorwell is a very small village and it gets very dark in this shallow dell beneath the downs that is only a few minutes’ drive from the coast. Northcourt Manor sits just outside the village in 15 acres of grounds that include a pretty stream and kitchen gardens. The largest Jacobean manor house on the Island, it offers bed and breakfast and self-catering in separate wings of this imposing manor.

Best for Breakfast

Gotten Manor is on the outskirts of Chale village and you can opt for bed and breakfast in the old cottage where we are told you get an absolutely wonderful organic spread. Or you could select self-catering in the Milk House or the Cart House. The skies here are dark and expansive, with paths to the downs or you can drive, or walk, down to the coast in just a few minutes.

Best for Groups

At Brook House, there is a choice of self-catering holiday cottages. Westbrook and Northbrook sit one above the other in the courtyard to Brook House, and the Old Coach House is just next door. Sleeping six, four and eight (plus two children) respectively you could accommodate a small stargazing party in the three houses. The nearest beach is Brook (a 10min walk) where the skies are luminescent with stars, and you’re right in the middle of dark sky country here.

Best for Camping

The Isle of Wight Star Party meets at Brighstone Holiday Camp every year so you can be sure of good star gazing conditions at this location. Take your own tent or hire one of the vintage chalets, or you could bring a camper van or hire one of the ones they have on site. Telescopes can be set up near the edge of the cliff to take advantage of the low horizon far out at sea.

Best for Eggs

Free range eggs are included in your stay at Lower Dolcoppice Farm’s Old Dairy, straight from the hens on the farm that loiter around the courtyard. Walk on up this private road to the Hoy Memorial on the downs for a panoramic view of the skies and the south west coast, or just gaze from the fields surrounding this converted stone barn – it gets very dark in these parts.

Best for Being on a Working Farm

Westcourt is an old Elizabethan Manor connected to a farm of 200 acres that has been worked by the Russell family for generations. With fine views across the fields to the sea and within easy reach of Shorwell village, it’s a quick walk to the top of the downs or a short drive down to the sea with your telescopes and binoculars, but the skies around the farm will be expansive and clear.

Best for Vintage

The Mission on Blythe Shute, just outside Chale, is between Blackgang and Whale Chine and only a few minutes’ walk down ‘The Terrace’ takes you to the cliff edge – in fact the road has already gone over it. At night darkness falls like a curtain and you can drive all the way along the Military Road to Freshwater from here, taking in the skies wherever you want to stop. Inside this converted mission hall are the most wonderful vintage touches combined with the contemporary – everyone who has stayed here raves about it.

Best myisleofwight Tip

If being on the road is more up your street then hire a vintage VW camper van from Isle of Wight Camper Van Holidays and you can drive to any star gazing location you choose – a different one every night or even several in one night if you wish. Up on the downs at Culver, in the car park at Compton Beach or deep in the countryside – just pick your spot, park up and brew up on the camper’s cooker. Then lay down a blanket and you could sleep beneath the stars.

For a stunning example of Jacobean architecture surrounded by fifteen acres of beautiful gardens, Northcourt Manor in Shorwell on the south side of the Island offers oodles of period character.

Or maybe Arreton Manor located in the fertile Arreton valley appeals with its Tudor knot gardens, Elizabethan style terraces and Tudor décor in the East Wing accommodation? Though early Jacobean in architecture parts of the manor date as early as 872 as noted in the Doomsday Book.

Another manor boasting a prestigious history dating back over a thousand years and recorded in the Doomsday Book is Gotten Manor nestled at the foot of St Catherine’s Down. Here you can experience the unique and beautifully renovated The Old House, which has lime washed walls, exposed beams, wooden floors, Persian rugs and cast iron freestanding baths within the rooms.

Interestingly all three offer amazing locally sourced and homemade breakfasts – in fact they are worth a visit for the breakfast alone. So why not step back in time and enjoy some time away soaking up the character of these grand historic houses.

01983 873 259

Friday was special, my youngest son Mark could finally make it out for a fishing trip and we pottered around happily following sea gulls and looking for swirly bits each of which in our experience can signify the presence of mackerel and sometimes more. We put two rods out and jiggled feathers as we drifted on the tide from St Catherine’s point to Luccombe.

Around about Wheeler’s bay, we started to get lucky. We put the smallest critters back into the sea and took enough for us and friends who’d asked for fresh fish whenever we could oblige.  By the time we were off Bonchurch we were reaching our target, caught a few small whiting and downshifted to a single rod. When we had reached our unofficially set quota, we headed back to Wheelers Bay and took the boat home to hose it down for the next day.

Saturday was even sunnier and flatter again. This time Mark, my older son Justin, his girlfriend Holly and I headed off to a beach where we could base ourselves with blankets, picnics and catch a few fish for the barbeque. We found a suitably deserted beach just west of Orchard Bay in St Lawrence picked our way through the channel to deposit people and packages to the shore. I then decided to give the boat a run out to where we had seen bass jumping to try and catch one for lunch.

I pushed the throttle forward and the boat planed away smoothly and quickly before sputtering out to a complete halt, about three or four hundred yards out.  Having failed to get more than a click out of the engine, I put the anchor down and took a look under the cover. I don’t know why because an engine looks like a fragmented, 3000 piece puzzle to me. I put the cover back on and realised that being over sand the anchor wasn’t holding too well and I was drifting off. I phoned Mark to find his phone ringing in the watertight box beside me. I then called up a friend in his boat, but Ed was right over the other side of the Island but he said he’d call the harbour to see who was around.

Ten minutes later, from Ventnor Haven, Geoff Blake and his wife appeared, calmly took my rope and generously towed me back to Ventnor. I rowed the boat to the slip and put in on the park.

My next challenge was finding the secluded bay. So I drove through St Lawrence and parked where I thought I could walk to the coast path. I ambled along the cliff whistling our special family whistle as loudly as I could until Justin returned the call. They’d had a wonderful time telling horror stories about being shipwrecked, eaten the picnic, drunk the drink and scaled up a rope ladder to walk back with me to the car.

Our second day’s boating had turned into an adventure and the weekend’s experience very much a game of two halves.

For a stunning example of Jacobean architecture surrounded by fifteen acres of beautiful gardens, Northcourt Manor in Shorwell on the south side of the Island offers oodles of period character.

Or maybe Arreton Manor located in the fertile Arreton valley appeals with its Tudor knot gardens, Elizabethan style terraces and Tudor décor in the East Wing accommodation? Though early Jacobean in architecture parts of the manor date as early as 872 as noted in the Doomsday Book.

Another manor boasting a prestigious history dating back over a thousand years and recorded in the Doomsday Book is Gotten Manor nestled at the foot of St Catherine’s Down. Here you can experience the unique and beautifully renovated The Old House, which has lime washed walls, exposed beams, wooden floors, Persian rugs and cast iron freestanding baths within the rooms.

Interestingly all three offer amazing locally sourced and homemade breakfasts – in fact they are worth a visit for the breakfast alone. So why not step back in time and enjoy some time away soaking up the character of these grand historic houses.

Where: Nestled at the foot of St Catherine’s Down just minutes from Chale and ideally located near the Military Road for some of the most stunning scenery anywhere on the Island.

History: Dating back at least a thousand years and recorded in the Doomsday book, this ancient manor has had many illustrious Island tenants.

Gotten was owned in the 14^th century by Walter de Goditon who became involved in a notorious shipwreck in Chale and in punishment had to give “an acre of land with Buildings on St Catherine’s Down” to the Church, on which was built the famous ‘St Catherine’s Oratory’ with the tower which served as a lighthouse for centuries and still stands today.

In the early 19^th century Gotten was bought by Michael Hoy. ?He was to leave a lasting impression in the form of the Hoy Monument on top of the down above Gotten.

Rooms: Beautifully renovated and unique bed and breakfast accommodation is offered in The Old House, located in what was the original Gotten Manor. There is a choice of 2 huge bedrooms with lime washed walls, exposed beams, wooden floors, Persian rugs and cast iron freestanding baths within the rooms.

Facilities: Children over 12 are welcome.

Breakfast: It is well worth a stay here just to have the breakfast with all produce locally sourced or homemade. The organic breakfast might include home made yoghurt, compote and muesli, organic sausages or salmon with scrambled eggs.

Cost: £80 – £100 per night for two people sharing

Upgrade: Stay with friends in one of the two superb self-catering converted barns, The Milk House and The Cart House.

The first of these is not in the Walking Festival brochure. National Trust Warden, Ian Ridett, is taking an organised walk from Windy Corner, including St Catherine’s Point to see the amazing range of birds living in and visiting this area, including raptors, sea birds and songbirds. Some of this walk involves negotiating steep slopes, and a rocky beach.

St. Catherine’s Point Spring Bird Watch – Date: May 7- Time: 08:00 – Location: Windy Corner car park (at the end of the old Blackgang Road). Duration 2hrs.

The next walk is on Friday May 13 and is specifically designed to take walkers to an area where they are likely to hear, if not see, nightingales. It starts at the Horse and Groom pub in Ningwood at 6pm (see excerpt from IW Walking Festival brochure below. This can be downloaded from www.isleofwightwalkingfestival .co.uk)

Friday May 13

120 Hamstead Heights with Nightingales

An evening walk to enjoy the woodlands and shore beside Newtown Creek, listen for nightingales and return via the heights of Hamstead. Starts: 6pm Recycle site, by Horse and Groom Pub Grid Ref: 401 892 Bus: 7, Horse and Groom pub, Ningwood Duration: 3hrs 5 miles Cost: Donation to Gift to Nature Contact: Mike Carr Tel: (01983) 760615

There are two walks on Monday May 16 to observe birds in their natural habitats and both could be taken if you wish. The first begins at 4.30am at Newtown Old Town Hall and is to hear, and see, the dawn chorus at the stunning Newtown Harbour. It lasts for around two hours, after which a well-earned breakfast can be taken at the Sportsman’s Rest pub in Porchfield – pre booking essential.

The second is from Wroxall Church at 10.30am and is to see the Buzzards of Wroxall valley and Ventnor Downs. This walk lasts for approximately three hours – just in time for lunch (see below).

Monday May 16

159 Newtown Dawn Chorus

See sunrise over the harbour and hear the dawn chorus in the best of Newtown’s countryside. Then breakfast at the Sportsman’s Rest (Booking essential, additional charge). Starts: 4:30am Newtown Old Town Hall, NT car park Grid Ref: 423 906 Duration: 2hrs 1 mile Cost: Donation to National Trust. Charge for breakfast to be paid in advance. Contact: National Trust Tel: (01983) 741020

150 Explorer Walk No 9 – Valley of the Buzzards

Discover the lovely hills and valleys north of St. Boniface Down, and follow the Old Ventnor Railway tunnel, visiting the Island’s highest point. Free gifts from H.F. Starts: 10:30am Wroxall Church Grid Ref: 551 799  Bus: 3, Wroxall Church Duration: 3hrs 5 miles Cost: £3.50 donation, Helping Arts Charities Contact: David White Tel: (01983) 854263

The last bird themed walk of the Festival is to see and hear the dawn chorus in the East Wight lowlands. This is the fourth year that Ian Boyd from Island 2000 has taken this walk and it includes a mix of the wetland birds and the songbirds in the woodland that back the marshes.

“It’s a really good way to learn new birdsong and May is a very good time as it is the early part of the breeding season and the birds are going full pelt to establish territories for breeding,” said Ian.

“The summer migrants are here – Black Cap, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Cuckoo, Nightingale and you can hear the explosive cries of the Cetti’s Warblers.”

Sunday May 22

235 Dawn Chorus Magic

Listen to the amazing dawn chorus in the woods and marshes near the Gift to Nature Wetland Walk. It’s painfully early but VERY well worth it. Starts: 4:30am Longwood Lane Sandown (next to Sandown and Shanklin Golf Club entrance Grid Ref: 588 850 Duration: 2hrs 3 miles Cost: £2 Donation to Gift to Nature Contact: Ian Boyd Tel: (01983) 535888

Sometimes you may only be able to see the birds far out to sea as they fly past, but when the wind is from the East or south the birds often come in, and stop to feed before resuming their flight.

“You ideally need a south easterly wind for sea bird migration,” said Ian Ridett, one of the National Trust wardens responsible for St Catherine’s Point. “And you may see birds like the Bar Tailed Godwit on their way to Arctic Russia in May, Arctic Skua and the Great Skua or Bonxie.

“Sea watching to the West of the lighthouse, by the rock you can see Sandwich and Common Terns, Arctic Terns, Common Scoter, Shelduck, Red and Black Throated Divers, Long Tailed Ducks and Manx Shearwaters.

“Wheatears drop by from mid march to mid May. Later in May Greenland Wheatears come up from sub Saharan Africa, through the UK and Ireland on their way to Greenland. Whinchats also pass by on their way to northerly breeding sites.

“We have Yellow Wagtails, that you’ll find around the feet of the cattle. They’re bright yellow and may be feeding amongst Wildebeest and Zebra in Africa during the winter.

“Occasionally we get grey Wagtails but that would generally be in the autumn. We also get the odd Hoopoe here – these are usually continental birds that have flown off course.”

The area also attracts migrant birds of prey. “We had three red kites together here last spring and I’ve seen two in Niton already this spring,” said Ian. “Osprey and Marsh Harrier pass through here and the Common Buzzard nests nearby

“We also have nesting Peregrines and Ravens. In recent years Fulmars have arrived – their population has increased due to the increase in fishing discards possibly due to changing fishing quotas. They used to only nest on St Kilda in the UK.”

St Catherine’s Lighthouse sits at the most southerly point of the Island, standing sentinel over the treacherous rocks that lurk under the water here. But the land behind the lighthouse beneath the imposing sandstone and greensand cliffs can be just as dangerous, with regular landslides altering the landscape.

“The Undercliff has many sheltered pockets between the tumbling rocks and mudslides which provide many niches for a variety of wildlife,” explained Ian.

Clearing the bramble and bracken from the tumbling pastureland has improved the habitat for nesting birds. “Stonechats bred here last year, and they haven’t bred here for a long time,” said Ian.

The National Trust owns Knowles Farm, next to the lighthouse, and there is a holiday cottage available to rent. This site is famous for being one of the first places that Marconi managed to send a message across the Atlantic by telegraph. The base of the mast that sent the messages can be seen in the seaward field next to the farmhouse.

At the top of the road, take a turn right over a stile, just before the road falls away down to the lighthouse, and you can explore the higher chalk upland, but beware of adders sunning themselves.

Walk further to the west and you will come across the end of what was once the Blackgang Road, now a dead end known as Windy Corner. In the trees bordering the road and the fields behind you will hear all of the usual woodland birds such as Great Tits, Robins, Blackbirds, Wrens, Hedge Sparrows/Dunnocks and Green Woodpeckers.

Make your way down the pathway through the undergrowth of trees and you will find still more – but make sure you have plenty of hours of daylight or a guide as these pathways can be confusing.  You will find lush undergrowth, gorse brush and grassy knolls. You may also end up on the naturist beach at the bottom.

Ian is taking an organised walk from Windy Corner as part of the IW Walking Festival – hopefully to see some migratory birds. St. Catherine’s Point Spring Bird Watch: Date: May 7- Time: 08:00 – Location: Windy Corner car park.