News

Latest up to date news on a variety of topics relating to tourism on the Island.

Go nuts about Red Squirrels at Osborne House - March

Today, the Isle of Wight is one of their few remaining strongholds of the native Red Squirrel and is home to a population of about 3,500 of them.

Osborne House and Gardens, where the abundance of trees and absence of roads allows them to live like royalty, is one of the very best places to spot these shy and engaging creatures.

This year, Osborne's visitors are taking part in a special red squirrel spotting survey to help the Island's Wight Squirrel Project gather valuable information on the strength of their numbers and monitor their behaviour. If you visit before October, pick up a special card at the visitor reception to record your sighting. Squirrel stickers are on hand for youngsters and other activities are planned for later in the year.

Join television wildlife presenter Chris Packham when he launches the survey at Osborne House on Good Friday by leading two squirrel spotting expeditions. Places are free but limited on the 30-minute expeditions at 11am and 2.30pm (normal admission prices to the house and gardens apply). The walks will take in some of the red squirrel 'hot spots' where the animals are most often seen and you will also have the chance to talk to Southampton-born Chris about red squirrels and other animals he has encountered whilst filming around the world.

"The Red Squirrel is one of our most captivating animals, but endangered animals - they have virtually disappeared from England and Wales - so it is vital that we do all we can to protect them on the Isle of Wight" says Chris.

Further information: english-heritage.org.uk

Mother's Day baby for Amazon World - March

A two-toed sloth, normally found hanging from the trees of tropical forests in south and Central America has been born at Amazon World Zoo Park on the Isle of Wight.

Unusually for nocturnal sloths, the baby was born during the daytime, and not just any old day but Mother's Day, Sunday 2 March! Visitors to the park were delighted to find themselves involved in such a special event on such a special day.

Sloths are very difficult to breed in captivity and this new baby is an important part of the European breeding and conservation programme for this species which is essential for the welfare of this endangered animal in the wild. Sloths give birth to a single young, while hanging up-side down. The newborn will remain with it's mother for several more months.

Mother and baby are doing well and a name will be decided soon.

Further information: amazonworld.co.uk

Ben Fogle to launch the 10th Isle of Wight Walking Festival - January

Television presenter Ben Fogle is to launch the 10th Isle of Wight Walking Festival (3 - 18 May 2008) on Saturday 3 May at the Medina Theatre in Newport, Isle of Wight. Ben has presented numerous television programmes including the BBC's Animal Park, Countryfile and Wild in Africa. The Walking Festival has grown to become the biggest event of its kind in the UK.

In October 2008, a special Wight Walking Weekend will round off this particularly special festival, and give even more visitors to the Island the opportunity to walk its 500 miles of footpaths, 60 miles of Heritage Coastline and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that spans over half the Island.

Festival organiser, Elaine Cesar said: "Our 'regulars' are always requesting a second, later walking event and as 2008 is the 10th Isle of Wight Walking Festival, we have decided to mark the occasion by hosting an extra event in October. Although shorter, the Wight Walking Weekend will include some of the walks which have so popularised the main event. It also means that visitors can enjoy the seasonal changes that autumn brings to the Island's picturesque landscape."

Details of how to apply for a ticket to the launch event with Ben Fogle on Saturday 3 May and the Wight Walking Weekend in October will be included in the Isle of Wight Walking festival programme, available to order online from March 2008.

Further information: isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

Guy Fawkes Night on the Isle of Wight - November

There are two major celebrations taking place in Sandown and Yarmouth on the 5th of November this year.

Guy Fawkes Night at Yarmouth. Celebrate the Gunpowder Plot with a party in this historic town. Get in the mood by entering the Guy Fawkes competition and the Torchlight Parade as it makes its way to the Common to light the beacon. A fantastic fireworks display will round off the evening. The schedule follows:

6.00pm - Ryde extreme performers and the Fat Samba band. Hot soup, mulled wine, hot chestnuts and traditional toffee apples available
6.30pm - Judging of the 'Guys' takes place. Several prizes up for grabs, so make sure you bring your Guy to the Square in time for the judging
7.15pm - The beacon will be lit, followed by a firework display. Flaming torches will be on sale for the Torchlight Parade.

Further information: Telephone 01983 813813

The Sandown Parade and Celebrations. Experience Sandown's streets as never before when dozens of carnival floats and hundreds of children and adults parade through the town in spectacular costumes and carrying colourful lanterns. Expect live music, food stalls, plus a grand fireworks finale. The schedule follows:

6.00pm - Live music on Sandown Esplanade, seafront
6.30pm - The Parade leaves the Town Hall and arrives at the Esplanade at approximately 7.15pm
8.00pm - Grand Fireworks Finale.

Further information: sandowncarnival.com

Halloween on the Isle of Wight - October

All Hallows Eve, or Halloween as it's more commonly known, is the famous night when spirits can cross over into the real world to contact loved ones or wreak revenge on those who have wronged them. There's no better place than the Isle of Wight, a hub of paranormal activity, to spot a ghostly apparition or startle a spook.

Ghost Tours take groups of terribly frightened visitors on guided walks five nights a week during October. Walkers are transported to scenes of horrible hauntings and dastardly deeds in Ventnor's Botanic Gardens, Arreton Manor, Newport Old Town, St. Catherine's Lighthouse and Shanklin Old Village.

Further information: ghost-tours.co.uk

Alternatively, head to haunted Havenstreet Station, home of the Isle of Wight Steam railway on the 26 and 27 October to see the ever popular Bellevue players lead walks around the eerie, dark and remote country station. It's bound to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end!

Further information: iwsteamrailway.co.uk

On 25 and 26 October Blackgang Chine is hosting spooky ghost walks telling tales of ghostly apparitions and gruesome deeds in this fun and unique location.

Further information: blackgangchine.com

Heritage Open Days - August

From 6 to 9 September, you will be able to visit interesting historic buildings which are normally closed to the public or where an admission fee would usually be charged to visitors. There is also a variety of guided tours on offer. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture. Buildings taking part include Bembridge Windmill, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Shanklin Chine and many more.

Further information: heritageopendays.org.uk

Red Arrows to perform at White Air - August

The Red Arrows will be performing one of their famous aerobatic displays in the skies above Sandown Bay for White Air spectators on Saturday, 1 September. It is the 43rd display season, in which the Red Arrows have demonstrated the professional excellence of the RAF to millions of people both in the UK and fifty two countries worldwide. The display starts at 2pm. In addition, the RAF Falcons will be giving a parachute display at 10am. White Air is an annual seven day extreme sports festival based in Yaverland.

Further information: whiteair.co.uk

History comes to life at Carisbrooke this summer - August

Children will love creating their own delightful characters by decorating princess and wizard hats, shields, masks, crowns and tiaras during a crafty day at this magical castle (12 and 13 August). Your family can also sample 'The Worst Days Out in History' in a fun look at the smelliest, goriest and most gruesome aspects of history (19 and 20 August), or watch in awe at the bravery of real-life knights colliding at speeds of up to 60mph in the 'Grand Medieval Joust' (Bank holiday weekend 25 - 27 August).

Further information: english-heritage.org.uk

Learn to sail at Cowes Week - August

Skandia Cowes Week 2007 © onEdition

There's nothing quite like Cowes Week, the sailing is great for spectators and competitors alike as well as a fantastic line up of live entertainment day and night. This year's event kicked off on Saturday the 4th of August, with over 1000 boats competing, crewed by 8500 sailors ranging from amateurs to Olympians.

You can even try sailing yourself with an hour long introductory session courtesy of the event's title sponsor, Skandia. This year lessons will be more accessible than ever, having been extended to provide a dedicated disabled sailing experience too. Bookings will be possible during Skandia Cowes Week from Cowes Parade.

Ladies day takes place on Thursday the 9th. The traditional Friday night firework finale takes place on the 10th. The spectacular display lights up the night sky silhouetting hundreds of boats against the skyline. Thousands gather from Princes Green to the Marina, Cowes or along the seafront in East Cowes to watch the magnificent finale.

Further information: cowesweek.co.uk

Rare Pterosaur fossil discovered by six year old - June

A six year-old boy has unearthed rare pterosaur bones on the Isle of Wight. Owain Lewis was on holiday with his family when he discovered the fossil - part of a flying reptile called a pterosaur - while hunting for the relics at Compton Bay near Freshwater. The 120 million year old find comprises wing bones of the extinct flying reptile which soared above the skies of the Isle of Wight during the Lower Cretaceous Period. At the time the area was a coastal lagoon occupied by crocodiles and dinosaurs.

Further information: dinosaurisle.com

Ellen MacArthur wins Round The Island Race - June

Dame Ellen MacArthur has won the annual Round the Island Race. More than 1,800 yachts started the 55 mile yachting grand prix around the Isle of Wight which is open to professionals as well as amateur sailors. Speaking after the race, Dame Ellen said: "It was a fantastic race. It was an early start for everybody but the weather was great for us. I think this event is fantastic, at the end of the day how many events can you go and see 1,800 boats taking part, I think it's amazing." The race was started at 5am by Alan Titchmarsh, who will become High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight next year.

Further information: roundtheisland.org.uk

Bestival sells out in record time - May

The annual 'Bestival' music festival has sold out in record time this year, four months before the event takes place at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight. The festival boasts an impressive list of acts including Primal Scream, the Chemical Brothers, Beastie Boys, Electrelane, the Gossip and The Go Team. The three day event starts on Friday the 7th of September and runs until Sunday September 9th.

Further information: bestival.net

Tutankhamun's treasure found on the Isle of Wight - April

Twenty years ago, Markas Dove's father found a mysterious Egyptian ring on an Isle of Wight beach when it was unearthed by the great hurricane of 1987. Experts believe it could be part of the lost treasure of Tutankhamun, transported from Egypt during the early twentieth century by a ship that sank off the coast of the Island. Apparently the ring has caused many problems for the family of Mr Dove and they now suspect that it's cursed. Elisabeth O'Connell, the research curator at the British Museum's Egyptology department, said, "The inscription suggests it belonged to either Tutankhamun or one of his inner court. I would not like to try and put a figure on its value."

Further information: thebritishmuseum.ac.uk

Tiger Island, new ITV documentary - April

The countdown to Tiger Island, ITV Meridian's new seven-part series about the Isle of Wight Zoo, has begun. Programme One will be broadcast at 5.30 pm on Sunday 20th May. From the humorous to the shocking, dramas great and small; Tiger Island will follow the professional team who tirelessly dedicate their lives to help some of the most beautiful and endangered creatures on the planet.

Further information: isleofwightzoo.com

Dolphin spectactular - April

A pod of 60 dolphins, including newborn babies were spotted around The Needles this week! Visitors were treated to the amazing sight. Dave Evans, Isle of Wight Branch of British Divers Marine Life Rescue said "There are pods around this time of the year but it's not usual to see so many in one place."

Further information: iwcp.co.uk

Island rocket testing site opened to public - April

High Down, perched high above The Needles on the western tip of the Isle of Wight, has been home to a remarkable secret for more than five decades. A space rocket testing site was built there at the height of the Cold War in 1957. Dubbed 'Britain's secret Cape Canaveral', the National Trust acquired the site four years ago and have now opened it up to the public for the first time. There's a runway and two launch pads, along with several control rooms. Heather Bradshaw from the National Trust said, "We feel that 50 years after this site started to be used in the space race this is an important story to be told."

Further information: nationaltrust.org.uk

Go SunSmart this summer - April

One third of young British holiday-makers will double their chances of developing the most fatal form of skin cancer this summer because they plan to get burnt on the beach. A national survey by Cancer Research UK, to launch its 2007 SunSmart campaign, found that 30% of 16 - 24 year olds said they were certain to get sunburnt on their summer holiday. And a further 30% said they might get sunburnt. SunSmart campaign manager Rebecca Russell said, "This year the campaign is focusing on holiday-makers because research has shown that people are most likely to burn in the sun when they are on holiday."

Further information: sunsmart.org.uk

Island featured in San Francisco Chronicle - April

American jouralists Sally and John MacDonald were so inspired after spending a three day short break on the Isle of Wight, that they've written a glowing article about the Island in the San Francisco Chronicle. Sally writes, "The mother country might lay claim to more countryside to walk, bigger castles, more splendid palaces and a more complex history. But the Isle of Wight is living large as its mirror-image 'Mini Me.'"

Further information: sfgate.com