Isle of Wight self catering cottage, sleeps 8
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Manor Bottom is a wonderful place for wildlife. Having planted hazel trees, we had red squirrels actually in the garden for the first time in 2011 - eating plums above my niece's head as she bounced on the trampoline. The surrounding fields are full of rabbits (including some black ones - the result of a pet that must have escaped years ago) and the odd, well-fed fox - one night a fox came right up to the sitting room window and peered in at us. Badgers regularly overturn the dustbin if the lid is not properly weighed down and hummingbird moths are sometimes seen on the tall purple verbena flowers.
Owls nested in the ash tree at the far end of the paddock behind the house in 2011, their young screeched all night for their parents to feed them. Buzzards often hover overhead, mewing like kittens and getting mobbed by smaller birds, trying to protect their young. You will often hear the sound of woodpeckers when you are sitting in the garden.
The garden is completely organic and planted with drought-resistant plants, such as lavender and pelargoniums. Gravel is laid over permeable plastic or old carpet so weedkiller is unnecessary. In spring, the garden is a mass of wild primroses and violet, followed by the white stars of wild garlic and red campion. Rainwater from guttering is saved in water butts and used to water the pots. Well-rotted manure comes from the stable and we buy peat-free compost
New pear and plum trees and thornless blackberries were planted in the orchard in March 2012.
We have created several new hedgerows planted with native species- guelder rose, spindleberry, hawthorn and honeysuckle, and trees - bird cherry, birch and field maple. In February 2012 we planted a 250-tree wood in one of the fields.
Community
The barn was converted by local builders, plumbers, roofers and carpenters.
Visitors are informed about and encouraged to use local pubs, cafes and farm shops, and to try local products. These include asparagus, garlic, corn and pickles from the Garlic Farm, fruit and vegetables from Godshill Organics, freshly- caught fish from the Haven Fishery on the seafront at Ventnor, crab pasties at Steephill Cove, award-winning blue cheese form Queen's Bowery Dairy, Minghella ice-cream, fresh fruit juice from Sharon and Afton Park orchards, chillis from the Chilli Farm, and beer from the Island brewery.
Manor Bottom provides part-time work for Lyn, who lives in the village.
Anna has use of the stables and fields for her horses in exchange for cutting the grass and keeping an eye on the place. Our local carpenter, Rob, lives in the lane, less than 300 metres from the door. Odd jobs and maintenance are done by Tim, who lives next door or David, who lives in the village.
Collages of seed pods were made by artist Mai Thomas, who converted Manor Bottom with her husband.
Blue jugs and serving plates come from the Bonchurch Pottery.
The driftwood boat in the bathroom was bought from the Garlic Farm shop and made locally.
The metal and wood boat on the kitchen window ledge came from the Quay Arts Centre in Newport, and the hanging wooden fish were bought in Yarmouth.
Photos of the island are by a local photographer and were bought at the Garlic Festival.
Local youth groups, such as scouts, have used our paddocks for weekend camping trips.
Landscape
As well as staying on the island a great deal, I have written about it for several Time Out travel guides. In doing this I have built up a great deal of Knowledge about the island. I email all my guests a copy of the house bible before they arrive - which contains all the information I would give to friends when they stay. It tells them about my favourite walks, such as the one from the house up onto the downs; places to visit, such as Dimbola Lodge at Freshwater, home of Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, and events visitors might not otherwise know about, such as the annual walk along the causeway out to St Helens Fort in Bembridge Harbour, the spooky ghost walks and the Sheela-na-gig outside an island church.
1of10
