"Nostalgia trip" Isle of Wight by Spincat

Isle of Wight Travel Guide: 337 reviews and 615 photos

The chine - view from the King Harry, Shanklin

My mother-in-law is not really the sort of mother-in-law you take to the Isle of Wight. She travelled all round the world with her late husband, and just about any country you mention... she's been there.

She and I both remembered the same thing about childhood trips to the island: watching the wheels of the old paddle steamer on our trip out. I hadn't been back to the island since I was five or six, and this trip was more than just a long weekend for me.

My grandmother was born on the island; she nursed a wounded South African soldier there during the First World War and they married in the pretty church of St Blasius on Shanklin Green. She then moved to South Africa with him - one moment the green and gentle island, the next a tented horse-trading encampment in the scrubby veldt.

I have a collection of writings my mother left in which she describes coming to the UK to study. She met my father at Oxford and they too married in the same little church. When my father drove my grandmother from Wales to Shanklin for the wedding, she insisted they fill up with petrol on the mainland! For those like my granny: yes, this is an island, but it has all the facilities - and problems - of the mainland, though the slower pace of life means people seem much friendlier than in London.

Is it a green and gentle island? Not exactly. We went at the height of (short-lived!) World Cup fever, with the flag of St George fluttering everywhere and people staggering out of pubs roaring.
In one way, the island has a very cosy, 'English' feel and I was reminded of the 'Just William' books (1930s schoolboys, cream teas, apple scrumping). Much of the the architecture has an English 'Arts and Crafts' feel to it. I suspect that the island has a much rougher side - Ventnor looked a little down at heel, and think some of the tourist attractions were struggling to make ends meet. It has a sweep of higher and wilder downs and crueller cliffs than its bucket and spade reputation suggests. This makes for a more interesting place - not all it seems, I think.

Last visit to Isle of Wight: Jul 2006
Intro Updated Jan 24, 2009
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Reviews (10)

Lymington to Yarmouth ferry Transportation (1)

My picture shows the ferry coming into Yarmouth. Lymington and Yarmouth (the towns 'at either end') are very... more travel advice

Rock - what is it? Local Customs (1)

When I think about a 'stick of rock' I think about a very old-fashioned english sea-side scene: grey skies, donkey... more travel advice

Thatched pub and restaurant Restaurants (1)

Shanklin old village is a pretty collection of higgledy piggledy thatched cottages, now mostly gift shops and tea rooms... more travel advice

Shanklin Chine from the garden of King Harry pub - Isle of Wight

Great pub - nearly a top-ten Nightlife (1)

I was so happy to find this pub with its wonderful garden that I thought of putting it my Top Ten (see my album, on my... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
The opposite of Basil Fawlty

Things to Do (5)
See All Pretty villages, quaint pubs

Comments (7)

850prc Jan 23, 2009 at 12:12 PM Report Abuse

Very nice IOW page, Mrs Spincat. I saw you were featured member I didn't remember having visited your pages. I'll be back. :) Greetings from Florida.
Lunaina May 4, 2008 at 11:03 PM Report Abuse

Great tips on this beautiful island, I was there in 1998, but cannot remember that much...
diosh Oct 14, 2007 at 10:49 PM Report Abuse

He he,I got my sons those sand filled lighthouses when they were little, when we had a lovely holiday there, at Colwell Bay. We still have them!Diana
penumbra Jan 29, 2007 at 6:59 PM Report Abuse

I think I’d enjoy a “stick of rock”. You can’t go too far wrong with sugar and mint.
tini58de Nov 1, 2006 at 5:24 AM Report Abuse

What an enjoyable page on a place that I really like a lot myself! Great tips and absolutely wonderfully written! Thanks a lot for sharing!
Helga67 Sep 15, 2006 at 6:57 AM Report Abuse

Excellent tips about this lovely island with its beautiful cottages.
Anchovy56 Jul 18, 2006 at 8:39 AM Report Abuse

It will be our secret dear...After all I am a animal lover and I would not want to upset her..