ISLE OF WIGHT, A Short Hop Off the English Coast, Guest Post by Susan Kean

View from Osborne House, Queen Victoria's summer residence.

My friend Susan Kean and her partner George recently did a two day trip to the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England.  It is the largest and second most populous English island. I thank her for sharing her thoughts and beautiful photos with The Intrepid Tourist.

Wightlink ferry.

Tuesday’s adventure included lots of Kings (and Queens)! George booked for us to spend an overnight on the Isle of Wight. 

Victoria valued family life and was very romantic.

Our first stop was Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s summer residence. An amazing place! I now understand the adjective “Victorian” much better! She seemed to love lots of ‘frills’! 

Victoria's bedroom.

Everything was elaborate.

The dining room ceiling was beyond crazy!

Dining room.

And every course had its own piece of silverware.

Place setting.

We toured the house and then the gardens. 

Walled garden with espaliered peach and fig trees.

My favorite was the walled garden. It was a way of having a protected area for growing vegetables and fruit. The walls heated up when the sun shone and meant the area could support fruit such as peaches and figs that would not normally thrive in an open garden.

Planting out garden for next spring.

After lunch in the cafe, we headed to Carisbrooke Castle where Charles 1 was kept prisoner. 

Carisbrooke Castle--a real castle!

We finally ended up in Ventnor where George had booked us into the Palace Hotel, whose claim to fame was that it is where Queen Victoria enjoyed visiting and started the concept of tea parties! 

Royal Hotel Ventnor

It was amazing--like stepping into the set of Bridgerton.

Palace Hotel dining room.

After some walking on Wednesday morning we drove to Freshwater for lunch. Just about a perfect October day--we were able to eat lunch outside.

Freshwater.