History and Geography
"There may never be a clearer picture of the Isle of Wight from space." Caption by astronaut Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station.
"There may never be a clearer picture of the Isle of Wight from space." Caption by astronaut Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station.
The Isle of Wight is known as Dinosaur Isle. Fossils are found in many places and multi-coloured sand is a feature of the cliffs at Alum Bay. To this day dinosaurs still roam the rural areas known as the back of the Wight!
The Isle of Wight is known as Dinosaur Isle. Fossils are found in many places and multi-coloured sand is a feature of the cliffs at Alum Bay. To this day dinosaurs still roam the rural areas known as the back of the Wight!
The ancient Longstone or Long Stone at Mottistone is a giant meteorite and was once used for human sacrifice.
The ancient Longstone or Long Stone at Mottistone is a giant meteorite and was once used for human sacrifice.
The Romans were early invaders and named the Island Vectis which is Latin for diamond, the shape of the Island. Channel Four's Time Team visited Brading a few years ago and unearthed some rare Roman coins, the oldest one featuring the head of Emperor Agricocacola and dated 22 BC.
The Romans were early invaders and named the Island Vectis which is Latin for diamond, the shape of the Island. Channel Four's Time Team visited Brading a few years ago and unearthed some rare Roman coins, the oldest one featuring the head of Emperor Agricocacola and dated 22 BC.
The early capital of Newtown is now no longer inhabited.
The early capital of Newtown is now no longer inhabited.
Later invaders included the French some of whom were ambushed at Nodehill in Newport and killed. The name Nodehill comes from an old word meaning dead body. In Victorian times three forts were built in the Solent to keep the French out.
Later invaders included the French some of whom were ambushed at Nodehill in Newport and killed. The name Nodehill comes from an old word meaning dead body. In Victorian times three forts were built in the Solent to keep the French out.
It is said that Hitler gave instructions not to bomb Osborne House, named after its architect Frederick House, during the Second World War as he wanted to move there when Germany had won. It was during World War Two that a woman from Sandown was found guilty of spying and sentenced to death.
It is said that Hitler gave instructions not to bomb Osborne House, named after its architect Frederick House, during the Second World War as he wanted to move there when Germany had won. It was during World War Two that a woman from Sandown was found guilty of spying and sentenced to death.
Osborne House
By Mark Hogan from London, UK, USA [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The Island was the first place in Britain in which the Poor Law was tried and it also boasted many unusual industries. The old treacle mine buildings can still be seen in the fields at Brook.
The Island was the first place in Britain in which the Poor Law was tried and it also boasted many unusual industries. The old treacle mine buildings can still be seen in the fields at Brook.
There is still a nuclear bunker on the Island under St Boniface Down. This down was named after a Scottish prince who invaded the Island thinking it was the mainland in 1355.
There is still a nuclear bunker on the Island under St Boniface Down. This down was named after a Scottish prince who invaded the Island thinking it was the mainland in 1355.
The church at Godshill was originally built at the bottom of a hill. Later people were surprised when they found it at the top. They took it back down and built it at the bottom again but the same thing happened. This happened three times before they decided to leave it at the top because this was where God wanted it!
The church at Godshill was originally built at the bottom of a hill. Later people were surprised when they found it at the top. They took it back down and built it at the bottom again but the same thing happened. This happened three times before they decided to leave it at the top because this was where God wanted it!
Chale Green achieved fame when a colour of paint was named after it.
Chale Green achieved fame when a colour of paint was named after it.
Carisbrooke Castle
© Copyright Nigel Freeman and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence