FARRINGFORD, the former home of Victorian poet laureate Alfred, Lord Tennyson, has reopened to the public after being closed for more than seven years.
The estate in Freshwater Bay was bought by Rebecca FitzGerald in 2007 and has been transformed into what it looked like in its 19th century heyday.
The project has been overseen by her business partner Matthew Slade, who said: "We closed the hotel in October 2009 and spent the first three years doing research and gaining planning permission.
"From 2012 it has been about the physical process to restore the house and grounds and we have been involved with the IW Conservation and English Heritage."
Farringford is open four days a week, Wednesday to Saturday, with pre-booking only.
There will be two interactive tours daily at 11am and 2pm, and visitors will be able to explore the grounds afterwards.
For the full story and pictures, see the County Press on Friday, August 25.