The Tennyson Mile stretches from the delightful unspoilt beach at Freshwater Bay to Farringford, the home of the Victorian poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Fellow poets Robert Browning, Henry Taylor, Edward Lear and the American, Henry Longfellow stayed at the selection of holiday villas nestled beneath the downs. The lovely magnolia by the conservatory at Farringford was presented to Tennyson as a cutting by Longfellow in 1868. Other writers came too, including Darwin, Thackeray and Lewis Carroll.
All these famous people were photographed by the pioneer photographer, Julia Margaret Cameron. Dimbola Lodge, overlooking the bay, has excellent views across the Back of the Wight and is now a museum of photography. The tearoom serves delicious cream teas and excellent lunches that can be enjoyed on the terrace on a warm day.
This Victorian cultural circle was satirised by Virginia Woolf in her play Freshwater. Other 20th-century literary pilgrims include DH Lawrence, TS Eliot, John Betjeman, JB Priestley, WH Auden and Christopher Isherwood. Tennyson’s Gift, the novel by Lynne Truss, is set in Freshwater Bay.
The poets and pines walk (www.histreetrail.com) is a fascinating trail highlighting the trees that inspired Tennyson. It includes the Tennyson Mile but goes inland to Freshwater village passing the large property that the poet provided for his wife’s family. Hawkswood, now Freshwater Court, was built by Tennyson to complete his marriage vow. This stated that his in-laws could come and visit whenever they wished, for as long as they wished. But he did not want them under his feet at Farringford.

farringford.co.uk/
Bedbury Lane, Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight PO40 9PE
+44(0)1983 752 700
Google map: bit.ly/mTjB2I

No. 12 bus from Newport, Isle of Wight.

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Recently stayed at the Royal with my wife for our wedding anniversary. The room was very well appointed and spacious, but the main draw for us was the outstanding food! We ate in every night!

www.royalhoteliow.co.uk
Belgrave Road, Ventnor, Isle Of Wight PO38 1JJ
+44(0)1983 852 186
Google map: bit.ly/p6CJHt

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Beautiful retreat from the stress of modern life. The site is a area of outstanding natural beauty a stones thrown form the sea.

www.castlehaven.me.uk
www.isleofwightholidays.com
Castlehaven Caravan Site
Niton
Ventnor
Isle Of Wight
PO38 2ND
01983 730495

Google map: bit.ly/cD8NvH

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This beautiful cottage is in lovely rural spot with it's own little lake and surrounded by walks and open countryside.

www.islandcottageholidays.com/cottages/greateaststanden.html

Google map: tinyurl.com/ydnflw5

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If the weather's good there is plenty to do and it's beautiful. Might want to avoid festival periods as they can make some places very crowded.

Great holiday providing it's sunny. Nice hotels, B&Bs and cottages to stay at.

www.stmaur.co.uk
www.gurnardpines.co.uk
www.gardenislehotels.co.uk
www.isleofwight.com

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My favourite ferry journey in Europe has to be the car ferry to the Isle of Wight.

I have spent many happy holidays on the Isle of Wight and think that it has to be one of the most under-rated places around. There is lots to do and see. From the Zoo to the Needles, the model village or just sitting having a quiet drink in one of the many pubs and watching all the yachts go sailing by. The ferry journey is only a relatively short trip, but it gets the holiday off to a relaxing start.

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A large family cottage near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. The cottage enjoys wonderful sea views and is only a short way from the sandy beach at Ventnor.

www.islandcottageholidays.com/cottages/rhadagunds.html

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Beautiful rural holiday cottage located within a short drive of the sandy beach at Shanklin.

www.islandcottageholidays.com/cottages/dairymaid.html

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An unbelievably beautiful cottage with luxurious furnishing and large garden overlooking the sea at Ventnor.

www.islandcottageholidays.com/cottages/oldcottage.html

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Although the mud was bad last year, the line up is always great. Get the train to Portsmouth, then the car ferry and then a cab to the festival. Sounds mad, but it takes out all the waiting for buses.

www.bestival.net/

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A friendly, family-run, small hotel. Proprietors Rod and Wendy make all their guests very welcome. The hotel is well situated in Shanklin, handy for the beach, shops, a wide choice of restaurants and public transport. Accomodation is spotless and represents excellent value for money. A very good website will do more justice to the place than I can.

www.theappley.com

Address -
13, Queens Road
Shanklin
PO37 6AW

Telephone - 01983 862666

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To fancy dress or not to fancy dress?
Some people just aren't that into fancy dress. As one of those people, I didn't see why I should do it at Bestival. Yes, it's a festival that celebrates one of the largest fancy dress parades in the country, but once a disbeliever in stupid outfits, always a disbeliever.
BIG MISTAKE!
As one of only three people at the whole of the festival sporting normal, casual attire, I can honestly say I've never felt like a bigger idiot, ever. Bestival is a time to supress your dislike for the 'wacky', it's a time to swallow your misplaced pride and adorn something stupid. You'll feel much better for it ...

Robin Hill, near Newport, Isle of Wight

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Bestival is a fab fancy dress festival where people are laid back and it isn't too big. Yes last year was a complete wash-out, but overall because Bestival is in early September it has a brilliant sunshine record, which really helps with the party spirit.

We all know to take loo rool and wet wipes, but some less obvious tips for festival goers are:
- Take dry shampoo, or specifically Batiste Tropical. It's an amazing conditioning spray that takes away any greasiness and makes your hair full bodied and shiny. It's usually used by old ladies but don't let that put you off
- Take wine in a box and once finished, use the bag inside as an inflatable pillow to sleep on
- If you can carry them, fold away chairs are a god-send at festivals
- Dig out your sparkly sequin bolero or jacket: great for the cooler UK evenings but keeps you looking like you've made a festival effort
- Always bring a bikini, you never know when the sunshine will come out, but also useful for the festivals that have saunas. A good sweat in a sauna will cleanse you for the next night of partying
- Pitching your tent in the quiet zone can be great if you need a good night's sleep and to be fresh for work on Monday
- Take a small over the shoulder handbag so you can put all your valuables in there, sling it across your body and dance the night away!
- Choose a festival that has the right party vibe for you. It doesn't have to have the major headlining bands and you never know, at a smaller festival you may get to see the next big thing

Bestival is at Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight
11-13th September

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A fantastic place to stay on the Isle of Wight and in the former grounds of Osborne House. A piece of history and luxurious holiday cottage all in one.

www.islandcottageholidays.com/cottages/indiansummerhouse.html

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