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.
Rare crop for VBG
VBG's Rare Harvest April 25th After a long winter, everyone at VBG was delighted to see the very first harvest from one of our many rare plants and trees. South Wight TV captured the very special event for us......
Giant Waterlily Update – May 9th
The Giant Waterlily, Victoria spp., is an annual plant grown every year from seed. Its prodigious growth rate takes it from a pea sized seed to a plant nearly 10m in diameter with leaves able to bear the weight of a child within a few months. In 2013 we sowed the...
Garden Blog
Well it had to happen once in thirty years! Snow fell at Ventnor Botanic Garden on the 7th March 2013. The whole of the UK was snowed in with drifts as the cold air blew in from the south east. The lowest temperature we recorded here was -1ºC, so in fact this has...
Acacia begin their Spring flowering
2013 has been an early year for Acacia at VBG, in fact the Cootamundra Wattle, Acacia baileyana,(below) has been open since the last week of December This specimen (above) is from a ten year old plant seed raised from our own seed. This was collected from a...
Garden Blog
The Cornish climate is very suited to the large Tree Magnolia, Magnolia campbelii. In Britain they flower early in the year at a time when frost still reigns supreme, and will turn newly open blooms brown in bright morning sunlight. Therefore the prospects for us,...
Mexican monster conquers VBG
A rare Buddleja cordata from Mexico has staked its claim on our Arid Garden and is filling the top of VBG with exotic scent. This is one of the largest Buddleja and in its native land is capable of attaining heights in excess of 80 feet (25m) according to its...
Eco Island’s Electric Car, Mia, Visits VBG
As part of our drive to operate in a sustainable way we struck up a conversation with Eco Island (another CIC) on our vision of what we can do at VBG. We hope to work with Eco Island go beyond the basics we have already tackled on packaging and water use and start...
Irene’s Education Blog
I’m back! And something exciting is happening at Ventnor Botanic Garden. Activities and visits have begun with the local school, St Francis, following the welcome news that we have obtained a grant from the AONB Partnership. Tuesday and Thursday I did a mini beast...
The Plantation Room – Now Open
We have been busy building a new space in the library to relax, read, have a Barista coffee, an elegant loose leaf tea, a glass of fine wine or a light ultra-fresh lunch. The "but I only want a cup of coffee" chant we heard this summer begged a response - an...
Free Beer! Hop Picking 10th September 2014
Volunteers needed! The 2014 hop pick is definitely Wednesday 10th September 2014. Sign in then make your way to the Hop Yard at the cliff top behind the garden from 10am. Pickers will be rewarded with a free sample of the latest batch of Ventnor Botanic Garden...
Irene Fletcher Returns as Education Manager
Irene Fletcher Returns as Education Manager VBG team expands to fulfil its education potential August 24th We are pleased to announce that Irene Fletcher, Education Officer at VBG until 2008, will return full time to VBG in September 2012. Irene was greatly missed by...
The VBG Kangaroo returns
After its summer walkabout the kangaroo has come back The VBG kangaroo went "walkabout" earlier in the summer when it was stolen from the garden, but it has been returned by the police following a tip off. The distinctive yellow sign, seen above held by PC...
Garden Blog
Too often become desensitised with the Garden at Ventnor. Seeing it every day we don’t have the opportunity to compare it with other gardens open to the public. We casually walk past our plants; nearly every month has something flowering for the first time at...
John’s Blog
The weekend just past saw VBG in full flight - Shakespeare in The New Zealand, Healing Festival in the Meadow, Commodore's dinner in the cafe, and Art in the Echium. The full car park was a welcome sight. As some of you are aware, the development of a cafe offering...
Daily Garden tours
Every day, tours of the Garden and behind the scenes at VBG. What's at the end of The Tunnel? Every day we have a menu of different free tours guided by VBG staff and volunteers. Take the journey through The Tunnel to the towering cliff. Have a first hand account on...
Tel: 01983 855397 | Ventnor Botanic Garden Community Company C.I.C | Company Number: 07976468 | Registered Address: Undercliff Drive, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1UL