Image: Wightlink.co.uk

Wightlink’s Fabulous Photo Spots from the Isle of Wight’s Historic Visitors

Anyone seeking outstanding photography locations, all within easy distance of one another, should look no further than the Isle of Wight, which has been considered one of the most beautiful destinations in the UK by its famous visitors for hundreds of years. Visiting today, you can step back in time to capture the sights that Queen Victoria, John Keats and Alfred, Lord Tennyson so loved, with views unchanged since they walked the Island. To enable visitors to walk in the footsteps of the Island’s historic greats, Wightlink has created a list of some of the most picture perfect Island locations according to the princesses, poets, and politicians who knew it best.

Nowadays is much easier to reach the Isle of Wight than it was back when Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill visited the Island. With Wightlink, visitors have the opportunity to capture gorgeous snaps from the moment they set sail across the Solent.  Not only is the Isle of Wight an ideal spot for photography-fanatical holidaymakers, but with journeys on the Wightlink FastCat taking just 22 minutes – and on car ferries around 40 minutes – it is also perfect for camera-clutching day-trippers.

But don’t just take it from us- here are five famous faces on the Island’s prettiest spots:

Image: Wightlink.co.uk

John Keats: “The wondrous Chine is a very great lion”

Keats found inspiration for some of his greatest poetry while he was staying at Shanklin in 1819, and it’s not hard to see why. Tucked away in the forestry of the Isle of Wight’s southeastern coastline, Shanklin Chine is a stunning natural gorge that has been carved out by waterfalls over thousands of years. Photographers could nearly spend that long capturing these geological wonders, as Shanklin is just one of the twenty Chines across the Island.

Image: Wightlink.co.uk

Winston Churchill: “I love Ventnor”

Churchill’s childhood summers on the Isle of Wight made such an impression on him that, when asked about his first memories, he simply replied; “I love Ventnor.” It’s not hard to see why. Ventnor Downs- the highest point on the whole Island- offers dramatic views for miles around, whilst the beach features a long rock walkway from which photographers can look back to capture beautiful photos of the seafront and the Cascade.

Queen Victoria:  “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot”

Once Queen Victoria’s palatial seaside home, Osborne House in East Cowes is an example of the Island’s historic photography spots. Built in 1845, its beautiful architecture is breath-taking to even the most seasoned photographer. When the grounds are decorated with lanterns and fairy lights for Christmas, it becomes an even more magical sight to snap. Open year round, Osborne House ticket prices start from £13.00 between 4 November 2019 and 1 April 2020.

Image: Wightlink.co.uk

Lewis Carroll: “I sometimes wish I was back on the shore at Sandown”

Lewis Carroll’s summertime favourite, Sandown Bay has lovely golden sand and calm clear waters that are sure to set the heart racing for any Insta aficionado.  Stretching over 8 miles, visitors can enjoy uninterrupted views out across the English Channel – and might even be lucky enough to get an elusive shot of the dolphins that have previously been spotted in the bay.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson: “Close to the ridge of a noble down”

After renting Farringford, Tennyson fell in love with the area and bought the house, which became his home in 1853. His daily walks across what is now called Tennyson Down inspired Tennyson- as did the rest of the Island’s magnificent scenery- and he wrote Charge of the Light Brigade on the Isle of Wight. Previously called High Down, this picturesque spot is the highest point of the chalk cliffs of West Wight, offering spectacular snapshots of the sparkling sea, the Needles headland, and yachts on the horizon.

Passengers should head to www.wightlink.co.uk to book their crossings, with sailings priced from just £57 return for a car (based on a day return ticket travelling out at 09:00 and returning at 20:00 on 7th December 2019). For those that only need their camera and a backpack, foot passenger crossings start at just £17 per person (based on the same crossings), or £15 per person for groups of 10-40. More information on group discounts is available here: https://www.wightlink.co.uk/go/tickets-prices/group-bookings/.

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