Steamboat holidaying on the Isle of Wight two centuries ago

If you had money, you could use it for pleasure, and where better to visit than the Isle of Wight?

Travelling here was quite reliable when steamboats had been invented. 

A steamboat service started running from Cowes to the mainland in 1822, and by 1848, it was offering six journeys a day.

A seat in the best cabin cost two shillings, although a seat in the forecastle could be bought for one shilling and sixpence. 

If you wished to take your carriage with you, it would be placed – with the horses attached – on a tow barge behind the steamer.

Plumbley's Hotel, Freshwater, in 1844. (Image: Contributed.)

You could leave the children and servants in the carriage, thus saving their fare on the ferry.

Taking a carriage across to the Island would cost £1.  The wage of a servant might be £5 a year.

Day visits to the Island were popular. 

Pier Hotel, Ryde, in 1844. (Image: Contributed.)

The fare from Portsmouth to Ryde in 1848 was one shilling. 

The steamer left Portsmouth at 11.20am for Sandown, visiting Shanklin and Ventnor as well, and cost three shillings return.

A trip around the Island was a regular excursion. 

Coburgs, Ryde, in 2012. (Image: Contributed.)

In 1813, of course this was by sail, and from Ryde “may be performed in one day: but, with less favourable winds and tides, easily in two”, passing the night in Yarmouth. 

A boat trip from Alum Bay to Freshwater Bay was highly advised, with a landing at Scratchell’s Bay.

In those days, puffins, razor bills and many other seabirds nested on the cliffs, but these were predated by egg collectors, climbing down the cliffs on ropes.

George Hotel, Yarmouth, in 1844. (Image: Contributed.)

Numerous books were written explaining the hotels that were available on the Island. 

Cooke in 1813 described the Inns of Newport as large and respectable.

By 1844, the engraver Brannon saw the need for a book only with engravings of hotels. 

He described the new hotel Plumbley’s, now Holiday Fellowship, at Freshwater Bay, as excellent.

Kent Hotel, Ryde, in 1844. (Image: Contributed.)

Daish’s, in Shanklin, is described as a family hotel, so children were acceptable there.

In all, 39 hotels are listed in 1844.  There were also boarding houses and houses for rent during the summer season.

Several of the hotels still exist, in one form or another.

There are still a few “posting establishments” visible, with an archway leading to the stabling and coachyard.

Many of the guidebooks suggest tours that can be taken to view the Island scenery. 

Visiting the houses of the gentry was a pleasant past-time for “respectable persons”.

On application to the housekeeper, visitors might get a nod from the owner, but were advised to refrain from picking choice blooms or fruit in the garden.

Cooke, in 1813, suggests Newport is the ideal centre from which to view the Island, undertaking three-day tours; a Western, North-eastern and a Southern Tour. 

He said the southern side, the back of the Island, should be reserved for the last, being by far the most interesting.

Hopefully the good weather would last for three days!