Isle Of Wight Monument Marks 200th Anniversary Of Tennyson

6th July 2009

Categories: Isle of Wight news

2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of the Isle of Wight’s most famous residents, the great Victorian poet laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892).

To mark this anniversary, a new toposcope – a monument which indicates the direction and distance to visible landmarks – will be unveiled next to the Tennyson Memorial on the clifftop overlooking the spectacular Freshwater Bay, on 6 August, the poet’s 200th birthday.

On the Centenary itself, August 6th, you can start your Tennyson celebrations by walking up to the Tennyson monument.  The toposcope will be unveiled at 10.30am – a fitting tribute to a poet who is so much part of our landscape. The unveiling is only a small part of the celebrations planned for that day, which include a day of poetry readings and talks on the poet at the Farringford in Freshwater, the poet’s former home from 1853-1889 and now a hotel. 

The 15-mile Tennyson Trail which stretches from Carisbrooke Castle to the Needles and Alum Bay can still be enjoyed by today’s visitors and during the IW Council-organised Autumn Walking Weekend, several guided walks are planned between 23-26 October.

It’s easy to get to the Isle of Wight, there are up to 350 ferry crossings a day from Portsmouth, Southampton, Lymington and Southsea.  Once you’re there it’s easy to get around, ferry routes connect directly with the Island’s road, rail and coach links. For details on how to get to the Isle of Wight, where to stay and what to see and do,  visit www.islandbreaks.co.uk or telephone 01983 813813.