Isle of Wight

Island in Hampshire

England

Isle of Wight

View towards Bowcombe Down Credit: Roger Cornfoot

The Isle of Wight, located off the south coast of England, is a picturesque island in Hampshire, known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. With a population of around 140,000, the island is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from both the UK and abroad.

Renowned for its stunning coastline, the Isle of Wight offers visitors a variety of beautiful beaches, cliffs, and coves. The iconic Needles, a series of chalk stacks rising from the sea, are a prominent feature of the island's western coastline. The island also boasts stunning landscapes, including rolling hills, lush forests, and charming villages.

The Isle of Wight has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It was once home to Queen Victoria, who built Osborne House, a magnificent Italianate palace and gardens that are now open to the public. The island also played a significant role in the D-Day landings during World War II, with many historic sites and museums commemorating this important event.

The island is well-known for its festivals, including the famous Isle of Wight Festival, which attracts top international musicians and has been a music hotspot since the 1960s. Other popular events include the Cowes Week sailing regatta and the Garlic Festival, celebrating the island's agricultural heritage.

Transportation to the island is easily accessible via ferry or hovercraft from the mainland. Once on the island, visitors can explore the many attractions, including amusement parks, wildlife centers, and the historic towns of Newport and Ryde.

With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene, the Isle of Wight offers a diverse range of experiences for visitors, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and festival-goers alike.

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Isle of Wight Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.671311/-1.3336296 or Grid Reference SZ4785. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View towards Bowcombe Down

Roger Cornfoot

Track at Westridge Copse

Ian S

Track towards Cheverton Shute

Ian S

Track at Cheverton Shute

Ian S

Ford at Clatterford Shute

The westernmost of Carisbrooke's three fords over the Lukely Brook is at Clatterford Shute.

Ron Strutt

Bowcombe Methodist church

situated halfway between Carisbrooke and the small hamlet of Bowcombe on the road to Shorwell.

Ron Strutt

Sowing the winter wheat

A farmer sows the winter wheat in a field below Dukem Down south of Bowcombe. Looking SSW from the road south of Idlecombe Farm. On the right is Plaish Copse, in the distance Dukem Copse.

Ron Strutt

Sheep Grazing on Idlecombe Down

Looking east from the Tennyson Way

Bob Embleton

Monkham Copse

Coppiced trees next to the Tennyson Way long distance footpath.

Bob Embleton

Asbestos Barn near Rowborough Farm

Looking east north east along the bridleway from Rowborough Bottom to Rowborough Farm

Bob Embleton

Pheasant Rearing Pens, Rowborough Farm

Taken from the steep track down from Monkham Copse to the farm. Looking SE.

Bob Embleton

Wind Blown Hedge near Rowborough Farm

Looking south east from the bridleway near the asbestos barn.

Bob Embleton

Plough marks on Rowborough Down

Looking from the bridleway close to Rowborough Farm. Looking NNW over the lesser slopes of Rowborough down towards the roughly wooded slopes of Idlecombe Down (shown on the OS map as Kingsgate Copse)

Bob Embleton

Descent from Chillerton Down

This farm track is well surfaced because it forms the access road to the TV transmitter on Chillerton Down. There is a small section of woodland on the north-east side and grassland sloping to the south-west.

Graham Horn

On Newbarn Down

Looking north from the southern part of the square. The barn in the middle distance is presumably the Newbarn referred to, being the most prominent building around. Flat sheep pasture on the down for most of the middle of the square with a steep drop to the north in the woods visible ahead.

Graham Horn

Garstons Down

Garstons Down is mainly to the left, although a small section can be seen here, and is mainly rough pasture. The down drops steeply to the east (right) with two footpaths joining here, one contouring to the north towards Garstons Farm the other descending steeply to Newbarn Farm.

Graham Horn

Snowdrop Lane

No mistaking the location. This hamlet is called Little Gatcombe and consists of a number of secluded cottages dotted around the bottom of the scarp slope of the downs.

Graham Horn

Path junction above Vayres Farm

The path on the right, a bridleway, is the Shepherd's Trail, one of the islands many named paths, heading north towards Carisbrooke. Another less distinct bridleway comes in from the south-west. Beyond the trees the land drops steeply down to Vayres Farm.

Graham Horn

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Isle of Wight is located at Grid Ref: SZ4785 (Lat: 50.671311, Lng: -1.3336296)

Unitary Authority: Isle of Wight

Police Authority: Hampshire