Zig Zag is all too appropriate. Ventnor’s geography is defined by its hills, and so is its character. Almost an island with an Island because of its extreme swoops and climbs, Ventnor does its own thing. The rest of the world seems a way away.
Thanks to its remarkable undercliff Ventnor enjoys a climate unusual in Britain. As a result it boasts its own Botanic Garden, where species that really shouldn’t exist except under glass grow quite happily. Ventnor Botanic Garden, long one of many responsibilities of the hard-pressed Council has just been taken into new management so its potential will truly start to be unlocked, but it is already a magical place to visit, its space cleverly divided into
Advertising Call (01983) 861 007
gardens from around the world. Put it on your morning coffee or afternoon tea map and you’ll easily put off the rest of your exploring for another day.
You can knit Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, or, the most unlikely because being knitted is SO not macho, Che Guevara
If you haven’t visited Isle of Wight Glass for a while it’s always worth looking in to see the inventive designs these Maltese- inspired glass makers have come up with. Then wander down into Steep Hill cove, home of driftwood and crab sandwiches and sunshine. Well, sometimes.
Not far from the Garden is The Royal Hotel, a place of such grandeur and sophistication it quite steals the breath. If ever there was a danger of the Isle of Wight being written off as some sort of parochial backwater you only have to step inside to see how the other half live. And then of course there’s the Michelin-starred Hambrough, and Hillside, which has just been acclaimed on Trip Advisor: two Ventnor hotel restaurants increasingly renowned across the water.
But now to the town itself. I’ve parked now, and because it’s a Thursday afternoon I don’t have to pay. Don’t be tempted to skip off half an hour before the free parking comes into force though: the traffic warden is out to catch you!
May / June 2012 41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96