Island Visitor Blog

Her TV presenter and Chief Scout son Bear Grylls is famed for his love of the great outdoors, something Lady Grylls also finds time to enjoy in the Island’s many gardens and bays I do like to be beside the seaside. As a family we lived in London — my late husband was an MP who […]

Former engineer Anthony Goddard of Goddards Brewery explains how he went from award-winning winemaker to Isle of Wight brewing pioneer, revealing plans for a smart new visitor centre near Sandown Is there a strong beer-brewing tradition on the Isle of Wight? There used to be lots of breweries here — mostly small pubs brewing out […]

Offering a fascinating window on the private life of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, former royal holiday residence Osborne House is a jewel in the Isle of Wight’s crown — and now one of the country’s top tourist attractions As the waves lap on the pristine, tree-lined beach, you can see why Queen Victoria called […]

Stuart and Penny Dyer own and run Godshill Model Village — complete with an RHS — anointed garden and a tiny selfie-friendly model of TV legend John Craven Who created the Model Village? It was started in 1952, but fell into disrepair until Penny’s father, Robin Thwaites, bought it in 1969. He carried out an […]

With its designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the re-introduction of rare creatures such as white-tailed sea eagles, the Island’s wildlife and environments are enjoying national recognition. Now Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has stepped things up, with Jamie Marsh, the Trust’s Reserves Manager on the Island, leading the charge Tell us […]

After a career in the Merchant Navy, Captain Fran Collins became the first female captain for a Channel Islands ferry operator before joining Red Funnel as its CEO. She has also won the Merchant Navy Medal for services to the industry What made you decide to join the Merchant Navy?  It was something of a […]

He has been chief executive of Channel 4 Television and chairman of the BBC, but Lord Grade of Yarmouth loves to unwind in The Solent, Salty’s and Scratchell’s Bay My family are keen sailors. I have always kept my boat in Lymington and our first port of call over the past 20 years or so […]

Among the Isle of Wight’s many coastal walks, try this expedition from Brook Chine around the Tennyson Trail and enjoy the glorious landscapes Details Distance 6 miles Start Brook View Point Car Park, Military Road, PO30 4HA. Access For the  more adventurous who don’t mind a bit of a challenge. Refreshments & toilets Shippard’s Chine […]

Having danced and sung her way around the world, BeX has returned to her native Isle of Wight to focus on her singing — and strolling in the hills You’ve had a good year… I certainly have. My first album, Story So Far, came out last May followed by the release of my first single, […]

A one-woman mission to restore a famous Victorian poet’s home has given the Isle of Wight a glorious new attraction, says Fiona Sims The Isle of Wight has had many illustrious residents, most famously Queen Victoria at Osborne, which was her seaside retreat for 50 years from 1845. But next on that list must be […]