 Locomotive Waggoner, Isle of Wight Steam Railway. by planxty | Reviews and photos of Isle of Wight attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Isle of Wight sightseeing. Map |
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St. Mildred's Church is best known for its connection with Queen Victoria. The Queen had two aisles added around 1855 to accommodate herself and her household. Queen Victoria often visited the church as it was only a short distance from her home at Osborne House.
Have a look inside and see where the Royal Family had their private corner, the Royal Pew. If you are lucky, there will be a parishioner around to tell you about the history of the church.
Afterwards you can have some coffee/tea and cake in the coffeeshop. Leave a Comment
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 Rhde Town view from the pier
with tide out by budapest8
I returned after 26 years to the Island and the
cream on the cake was a visit to the West Wight!
Brook Bay-Driving along the Military Road to
Freshwater Bay then onto to Yarmouth then back
to Newport and över to Arreton Downs where
we were staying on a farm.
Here is a view of Ryde from the pier.
This is the town where I grew up and is
steeped in history.
Any references on these pages from
the web I have permission to use. Leave a Comment
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 Black Gang Chine by freya_heaven
I have not told you half of what is here, but I was very impressed!
Admission is £7.50, with free admission again with in 7 days. Open daily 10 - 5pm April to October. Leave a Comment
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 Sandown Castle by budapest8
The Isle of Wight has many fine castles - a necessity considering the amount of time that it was under constant attack from the 'foul forces of France'.
Carisbrooke Castle
Carisbrooke Castle in particular is a very fine castle, with Saxon/Roman roots, and a fine history including:
* Being under siege in the Civil War between King Stephen and Empress Matilda in 1136.
* Being besieged by the French in 1377.
* Holding King Charles I captive between 1647 and September 1649, where he made 3 failed attempts to escape.
* Being where his daughter, Princess Elizabeth, died in on 8 September, 1650.
The castle also houses a donkey-powered well, and was central to the plot of the classic novel Moonfleet by J Meade Faulkner. Carisbrooke Castle is near Newport; follow the signs from there. It costs £4.50 for adults, and £2.30 for children.
Sandown Castle
Henry VIII also built castles on the Isle of Wight to defend it from the French, including Sandown Castle, East Cowes Castle and Cowes Castle and Yarmouth Castle.
Sandown Castle, while still being built, was attacked by the same French force that attacked the Mary Rose. It was later rebuilt, and the successive Sandown Castle was attacked during the American War of Independence by American privateers - most of whom died in the attempt. Leave a Comment
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 Spit Bank Fort by budapest8
From the Royal Naval Museum Library, 2005
The information in this fact sheet is correct as
far as we are able to ascertain from our sources.
It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete
history of the subject. Please contact the library for
a bibliography of further reading materials, if available
INFORMATION SHEET NO 88.
SOLENT FORTS
The four Solent forts were built for the protection of Portsmouth
and it's harbour from sea attack and bombardment.
The most likely "enemy" was the French. At the same time, land forts in
Gosport and Portsdown were also built to counteract any other land or sea attack.
They were never used in anger and have become known locally as
"Palmerston's Follies" after the Prime Minister of the time. Horse-Sands,
No Mans Land and St Helen's were constructed between 1865-80.
Spitbank was started two years later in 1867. Another fort, on Ryde Sand,
was abandoned after construction had started due to unstable foundations.
In 1848 Louis Napoleon, nephew of Bonaparte, became President
of the French Second Republic. In 1852, he seized complete power
and declared himself Emperor Napoleon III. His ambitions, including
the large army at his disposal, aroused concern in Britain, culminating
in general public panic and clamour for the government to do something
to protect the country from invasion. However, these initial plans did not
materialise and in 1854, Britain joined a temporary alliance with France in
war against Russia but suspicions remained about French intentions after
the war. During the Crimean War, shortcomings of the British Army
had been highlighted and the value of good fortifications proved.
The British government set about addressing the situation
in the Solent. In 1857, it was proposed that three land forts
were to be constructed between the existing Forts Elson and Gomer,
the Hilsea Line's fortifications were to be rebuilt at the edge of
Portsea Island and additional works along the
Southsea coast to be constructed. Leave a Comment
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 Needles Park Chairlift by freya_heaven
Also there is a sand shop which is quite interesting & tacky tourist shops & amusement arcades. Entrance is free, parking £3.00. From here there are some great views over to the Needles itself. Leave a Comment
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 Newtown Town Hall by freya_heaven
This quaint 17th centuary town hall is now a museum & holds exhibitions, run by the National Trust. Unfortunately it was closed when we visited, entrance is £1.80. Opening times are quite sporadic but generally seem to be between 2 - 5 during the summer. Leave a Comment
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 Japanese gardens by freya_heaven
The Gardens are split in to different areas, Mediterranean, New Zealand, Japanese, Americas, native flower meadow..... my favourite is the Palm Garden, probably becasue it reminds me of going abroad. The gardens are set within 22 acres of gentle slopes, there is also a good childrens play area. A large greenhouse houses exhibitions.
Admission is free (small charge for the green house) Leave a Comment
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By the time the forts had been completed, the "invasion" scare had long
since passed and although the forts were armed and re-armed as technology
advanced, they were never needed in the capacity in which they had been
planned for. Even though they were armed during the First World War,
two were used as naval signal stations and a line of concrete blocks and
piles protected the coast and harbour from enemy attack. After suffering years
of neglect, there was not a great role for the forts during the Second World War either.
They were not able to support heavy anti-aircraft guns for general air defence.
However, they were brought to war-readiness for the seizure of French warships
anchored off Portsmouth in 1940, after the fall of France. This was the only time
that their armament was trained on the targets for which they had been originally built.
The seizure was completed with little opposition and actual firing from the guns
on the forts was not necessary.
The forts were de-activated after the war and used for coastal artillery until 1956.
In the 1960s, they were put up for sale - but not sold until the 1980s.
Spitbank Fort was bought by a private buyer in 1982, restored and opened to the public.
No Mans Land Fort was bought by a property company with plans to convert it to
a luxury home, complete with private heli-pad. It is believed that St Helen's Fort was sold,
but no information on the purpose or by whom is available.
Horse Sand Fort was taken off the market and retained
by the Ministry of Defence. Leave a Comment
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Go across the channel to Portsmouth on a Hovercraft and see the Royal Navies first iron clad war ship, and tons of other Nautical history! Leave a Comment
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