Unless you actually live on the Isle of Wight, then you’ll need a to book a few days away to visit some of these gardens, or you can hop on the ferry for a great day out, but ideally you’ll need to take your car.
I’d really recommend booking a long weekend or longer and combining your visit with a few gastronomic island delights as well as some great gardens. Arm yourself with the latest copy of the NGS Open Gardens book and you’ve already invested well for your trip away.
This small landmass, just 23-miles long by 13-miles wide, offers dozens of great gardens and horticultural hotspots for plant addicts. Gently washed by the Gulf Stream, spring comes early and late summer stretches generously into autumn, extending the gardening season significantly and enabling islanders to grow many exotic, unusual and eclectic plants.
On the Isle of Wight there are several national collections that include fabulous delights such as nerines, hemerocallis and kniphofia, 26 gardens open for the NGS, plus several public gardens that are all well worth a visit.
Private paradise
The Old Rectory Garden in Kingston is an absolute must garden to visit if you go to the IOW. It usually opens for the NGS and it’s worth arranging your trip to coincide with its opening (already passed this summer) but visitors are also welcome by arrangement from May to July. The homemade teas are delicious; watch out for the adorable four leggeds that want to share your cake. This garden is a mecca for rose lovers, every border is packed full of fabulous examples and there’s even a rose cutting garden where owner Louise Ness can indulge her love of these fabulous flowers. There’s a new walled garden packed full of incredible edibles and a dreamy glasshouse for raising seeds and cuttings. This is a wildlife friendly, family garden and it’s packed full of ideas and inspirations too.
Saved for the nation
If you are looking for fabulous double herbaceous borders then Mottistone Manor (NT) is well worth a visit. In summer the rose garden is a delight. Insect rich wildflower banks are alive with the buzz of pollinators and the productive kitchen gardens are sure to inspire. But for plant enthusiasts the sunken garden contains a fascinating mixture of sub tropical plants such as grevilleas and ensete and the intriguing monocot border is richly seasoned with surprising and extraordinary examples of this plant group. Take afternoon tea (or ice cream) in the garden, or stop for a light lunch.
Summer Glory
Nearby at Shorewell is the garden of Northcourt Manor. It’s a fabulous place full of wonderful plants and unusually the site boasts both acid and alkaline soil allowing them to grow pretty much anything there. The spring blossom at this captivating garden is simply magical. The alkaline chalk soil on the cooler northern side supports a range of delightful flowering cherries, but look out for the stunning magnolias growing high on the terraces on the southern side of the garden on a band of acidic Upper Greensand. Treat yourself to B&B or a self catering stay at this amazing place.
Botanical wonder
On the southern tip of the island is Ventnor Botanic Gardens, another must-visit delight. It’s packed full of subtropical and exotic plants arranged in geographical zones around the site. You can see the world in an afternoon. Amble along the radiator rocks of the South African terraces for glimpses of lampranthus, kniphofia and rare proteas. It’s then a few short paces to see the botanical wonders of Australia and New Zealand. There’s a fantastic tea room overlooking the garden (see below) where you can enjoy filled baguettes, teas and coffee or visit the Edulis restuarant for lunch. Make a day of it and exit at the far left corner and follow the coastal path down and down to Steephill Cove, the clue is in the name, but it’s worth the hike down to the secret paradise almost frozen in time and renowned for fresh crab sandwiches and more. Stop for an ice-cream (or hot chocolate) and enjoy the ambience.
A holiday memento
Don’t go home empty handed. Just outside Nettlestone is Eddington House Nursery, a plantsman’s paradise of island grown alpines and perennials.
Eating out
- Great food can be had all over the island. For a fab pub menu with exquisite fare head to The Taverners at Godshill where you can taste gourmet delights, some grown in the garden on site.
- The Plantation Room Café at Ventnor Botanics serves exquisite loose leaf (and flower) teas, delicious coffee, homemade cakes and light lunches. Take a look at the bookcases packed full of botanical wonders, or on warmer days, sit out on the terrace overlooking the medicinal garden.
- Try a crab ramekin at the Seaview Hotel where you can eat informally in the bar, or in the restaurant. The food is fresh and local and fairly fish orientated, but there are plenty of other choices too. It’s a really great place to stay too.
- Take afternoon tea at the Royal Hotel in Ventnor and follow in the footsteps of Queen Victoria. You’ll get the full works with dainty sandwiches, cakes, meringues and freshly baked scones. Picnic baskets are an appealing option too. Booking is essential 01983 852186. Or indulge in a sumptuous dinner in the restaurant.
- Tuck into a tasty breakfast or a gourmet lunch at the Garlic Farm. You can even try Garlic beer. Not everything is steeped in medicinal garlic, but if you love garlic it helps. Try the fresh asparagus when it’s in season.
Getting there
Whether travelling by foot or by car, Wightlink’s three mainland ferry ports
are perfectly placed for easy access to the Isle of Wight. Passengers can also purchase snacks and coffee from the on-board Greggs and Costa while taking in the views of the Solent. With
plenty of things to see, do and enjoy on the Isle of Wight all year round,
for first time visitors and for old friends, there is no better way to start
a break than on a Wightlink Ferry.Routes
Portsmouth Car Ferry Terminal – Fishbourne Car Ferry Terminal in 40 minutes
Lymington Car Ferry Terminal – Yarmouth Car Ferry Terminal in 45 minutes
Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station – Ryde Pier Head in just 22 minutes
For more information on visiting the Isle of Wight click here.
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