Wow the summer seemed to whizz by this year! We've seen loads of smashing visitors, loved having Greg here doing magic and though the weather has been unpredicatable we have had the Nammet Hut open most days. We are now back to 10am to 4pm every day and the Nammet Hut will be open Tues, Weds, Thurs, Sat & Sun - weather allowing.

We have been awarded Patrons Award at the 2024 Wight in Bloom awards at Albert Cottage in East Cowes.   The ceremony was hosted by Isle of Wight High Sherriff Graham Biss and Visit Isle of Wight chairman David Curtis-Brignell.   Wight in Bloom Patron Alan Titchmarsh was unable to be at the awards in person, but his Patron Award was still presented and we were delighted to be the recipient.     We also donated a class day out to the winners of the Young Peoples Initiative who were Broadlea Primary School.

As an RHS Partner Garden a couple of the team were lucky enough to spend the day at Chelsea. This year's show was particularly impressive with its emphasis on sustainability, biodiversity, and accessibility, reflecting a growing trend in the gardening world towards environmentally conscious and inclusive practices. One of the highlights was the Ecotherapy Garden, which won the gold medal for Best Balcony/Container Garden. This garden showcased how even small spaces can be transformed into lush, therapeutic environments with shade-loving plants and water features that create a peaceful, restorative ambiance. This is particularly inspiring for amateur gardeners who may have limited space but still want to create a serene green retreat​. With our love of niwaki we were drawn to Kazuyuki Ishihara's garden paradise was a testament to the artistic potential of gardening. Known for his lush, intricate designs, Ishihara’s work at Chelsea this year combined traditional Japanese elements with a rich array of plant species, providing a visually stunning and educational experience for visitors.​ For amateur gardeners, these exhibits were not only visually inspiring but also provided practical ideas that can be implemented at home. From container gardening techniques to sustainable gardening practices, the Chelsea Flower Show 2024 demonstrated that beautiful and impactful gardens are within reach for everyone, regardless of space or experience level.

Join us for our annual Spot the Egg event! Between Good Friday to Easter Monday - we will hide mini eggs around the Model Village. You will need to look high & low, at buildings, people and trains! You can see them all from the path. Count of how many you see and tell us your total in the shop, to claim your miniature prize. Normal admission applies. It is fun for all the family!

We were delighted to welcome Pete Astor and Andy Strickland to the Model Village. Peter is an English songwriter and solo artist, known for his work with The Loft, The Weather Prophets, The Wisdom of Harry and Ellis Island Sound. Pete has penned a song called Model Village and what a treat to have a performance of Model Village within the Model Village! Check out the performance below: .

The places we like… Here are some of the places we like to go, stuff we like to do & ideas for places to eat. Have a fantastic time up a tree with our friends at Goodleaf Tree Climbing Spend a day at Osborne House, visit Swiss Cottage for the great interactive children’s display then walk on down to the beach for an ice cream Take a walk on the beach at Yaverland (with or without the dog) – see if you can find any dinosaur fossils Find a beautiful private garden to visit using the National Garden Scheme Yellow Book.  Any admission goes to charity and sometimes they have lovely cakes too! Tapnell Farm in the West Wight is a fantastic place to take the children with a jumping pillow, indoor zip wire and climbing wall. If you are looking for somewhere different to stay on the Island how about a bit of luxury at Woodside? Cheverton Copse holiday park is a lovely spot for a family stay. Places we like to eat… We love to eat at The Taverners – we are lucky to have Tim & Emma just over the road from us! Book at table at The Terrace, Yarmouth for amazing food & lovely views Enjoy the harbour views in Cowes, then take stroll up to North House for lunch or dinner Just up the road in Godshill you will find Cook & Baker.  Open 9am to 4pm Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon.  Great for breakfast, lunch & cake! For a special treat book Afternoon Tea at The Royal in Ventnor Getting around… Red Funnel ferries offer 10% discount on Model Village admission when booked with ferry Cycle to Sandown, Shanklin or Newport using the great cycle paths away from the traffic Catch the bus to Yarmouth then walk along the paths to Freshwater – great for a dog walk, children’s cycle route or flat walk for tired legs. For travel to the Island on the train have a look at Trainline

We are very proud to be a corporate sponsor of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust. The Trust is a charitable independent and professional organisation offering counselling, advice, information and support services to children and young people on the Isle of Wight and, in some cases their parents or carers. In the past year alone, over 700 children and young people have accessed the Isle of Wight Youth Trust’s 1:1 counselling service, that’s more than 1 in 50 children on the Island.  The Trust has also provided family counselling and specialist counselling support for young people facing drug and alcohol abuse. All services offered by the Youth Trust are delivered by an experienced and qualified team who follow the National Guidelines for Counselling, offering a fast, flexible and confidential service to young people who are experiencing difficulties. The Youth Trust has been working on the Isle of Wight for over 30 years and, with the support of the local community has made a positive input to the wellbeing of people locally.