The Tunnel
Our regular Tunnel Tours are currently postponed. Please email foh@botanic.co.uk if you'd like to enquire about a private tour.
Ventnor Botanic Garden has many secrets, some dating back to the days of the Royal National Hospital that formerly stood on the site. Underground caverns, secret passageways and a tunnel through the cliff can be found by the visitors to the Garden.
A proposal to dig a tunnel from the gardens down to the shore was mooted in the late 1800s. The Royal National Hospital annual report for 1875 states that “There can be no doubt that if the patients were able to obtain free access to the shore it would be very conducive alike to their recovery and their enjoyment.” Money for the tunnel at that time was not forthcoming and although it was built later, its function was by no means the rather romantic conception that has given rise to a good deal of speculation and comment; it was in fact used as a conduit for rubbish that was propelled through it and dumped into the sea. Steel tramlines are still visible on the floor. Exactly when the tunnel was built is unknown; possibly it was in relation to a new system of drainage and sewage disposal that was completed sometime in the 1880s. The tunnel was closed at both ends in 1940.
The 350 foot long vaulted roofed tunnel exits through the cliff midway down and is inaccessible. DO NOT attempt to locate the exit, or try to enter unless with one of our guides, as the cliff is extremely dangerous. Bolted gates are also in place for safety.
Endangered Kniphofia in Flower
Rare South African Kniphofia bruceae blooms November 4th Great news in November at the Garden; our latest batch of the South African Red Hot Poker Kniphofia bruceae have begun to flower. VBG has a nationally renowned collection of Kniphofia including this highly...
Is Brugmansia the New Canna?
The Canna Bank at VBG is so named because it became where we grew the riot of colour possible from the species and cultivars of Canna. Canna are well established in English gardens, they are usually treated as half hardy prennials that need to be lifted (and divided)...
Hop Harvest Report
On a clear sunny day on 10th September 2014 staff, Friends and volunteers gathered at the Cliff Top Hop Yard. Picking began at 8am as soon as the dew began to dry. Picking hops by hand ensures only the fully ripe cones are selected, and all the bits and pieces of...
Hops Festival 2014
Hops Festival returns! Celebrating another successful hops harvest, Ventnor Botanic Garden is delighted to announce Hops Festival will be taking place on Sunday 21st September. This year, Hops Festival will be featuring a range of beers and real ales brewed on the...
New Heritage Centre and Mushroom chamber opens
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Heritage Centre. Located above the subterranean caverns that formed the boiler rooms of the former hospital, the centre gathers together pictures and artifacts from the old hospital. Below this is our new Mushroom...
Hop Picking 2014
Free beer! Help us bring in our hop harvest September 4th Free Beer! Hop Picking 10th September 2014 Volunteers needed! The 2014 hop pick is currently Wednesday 10th September 2014, keep your eyes on this site for the final decision soon. Sign in then make...
Garden Blog
BBC Gardener’s World Live 2014 At the end of April 2014 we were approached by Liz Walker, Destination Development Manager from Visit Isle of Wight Ltd, who each year as part of their exhibitions programme to promote the Isle of Wight take stand space at a range...
Tropical House Renovation – Update
High level polycarbonate cladding now replaced Built in 1986, the original polycarbonate cladding of the Tropical House was guaranteed for 14 years but survived for nearly 30years. An inspection in 2013 revealed that it had become critically degraded and the winter...
New Giant Waterlily Hybrid Update
Flowers of the new Giant Waterlily hybrid made at the garden last summer have begun to open. Uniquely at VBG we used an un-named cultivar of V. amazonica as the father plant, so our hybrid is entirely new. A bicolour flower trait that distinguished the father plant...
Puya begin to flower
Puya flower spikes emerge Flower spikes of 3 Puya species have emerged at Ventnor Botanic Garden. P. chilensis, with its striking yellow flowers, P. spathacea showing one spike and P. berteroana with its amazing blue flowers. This year we are hopeful that P....
Luke Gunner left for Kew
Luke Gunner, Garden Team Leader at Ventnor Botanic Garden, has been accepted on the prestigious Kew Diploma course at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The diploma attracts applications from hundreds of prospective students annually for only 15 places. Luke, 26, has...
Drive Thru Botanic Garden
In 2013 VBG was visited by Dr Mike Maunder, lately Director of Fairchild Botanic Garden and Hawaii Botanic Garden, now Associate Dean of Florida International University. We are lucky to have him agree to join the VBG Advisory Group. On his visit we had lengthy...
VBG Schools Education Launch
The VBG Outdoor Classroom Opens for Business February 21st At a special launch event at the garden, VBG has launched our programme for school's education, driven and assisted by the VBG Friends' Society. Joy Monro of the VBG Friends has brought the knowledge from her...
Garden Blog
Over the Christmas period it has been good to visit the Garden as someone who is interested in plants. I'm reminded straight away what a remarkable collection of half-hardy plants have been amassed at Ventnor over the years. So many plants have very personal stories...
Photography Competition Winners
Wightlife Photography Competition Thanks to all those that entered the photography competition as featured in Wightlife magazine this year. Ventnor Botanic Garden is delighted to announce the winners are; First Prize Ron Acred – Camellia Runners up Vivienne Pickering...
Tel: 01983 855397 | Ventnor Botanic Garden Community Company C.I.C | Company Number: 07976468 | Registered Address: Undercliff Drive, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1UL