Fans of the writer Charles Dickens have come to know the Isle of Wight as a great place to explore the man behind the byline.

Groups have been flocking to the Island to find out what drew the author here, what inspired him, and how the Isle played a part in his novels.

Famously, Dickens and his family spent 11 weeks living at Winterbourne in Bonchurch, and some of the villagers he met later formed the basis of characters in his novels.

In honour of this, in May, 25 members of the Dickens Pickwick Club spent three days on the Island.

Ian Dickens is holding aloft a ‘Giant Wopps’. John Leech, the illustrator, joined Dickens's holiday and illustrated his friends attacked by a wasp while they were picnickingIan Dickens is holding aloft a ‘Giant Wopps’. John Leech, the illustrator, joined Dickens's holiday and illustrated his friends attacked by a wasp while they were picnicking (Image: Contributed)

The cartoon of the Wopps in PunchThe cartoon of the Wopps in Punch (Image: Contributed)

The club, founded by Cedric Charles Dickens in the 1970s, attracts members with a Pickwickian spirit.

Ian Dickens, of Gurnard, is a great great grandson of Charles Dickens and the nephew of Cedric.

He said of the Dickens Pickwick Club: "We refer to the Dickens quote 'There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour'." 

While the bulk of the membership are UK based, two members flew in from Minneapolis, USA specifically for the event.

Each year the club has a 'frolic' and visit places associated with Dickens.

At Winterbourne, learning about Dickens' time on the Island.At Winterbourne, learning about Dickens' time on the Island. (Image: Ian Dickens)

Ian said: "In recent years we have explored Chatham and Rochester, Boulogne and Bath. It was agreed that as 2024 marks the 175th anniversary of the Dickens family spending their summer on the Island, we should base ourselves in Cowes. 

"During the stay, we visited Cowes to include the home of Dickens' friend Chauncy Hare Townsend, who he visited in 1849.

"We also included the Hewitt's Bath House - where Rosalie's greengrocers now is - which Dickens visited.

"We held our informal supper at The Woodvale and our gala dinner at the Sir Max Aitken Museum.

"We visited Bonchurch for a guided walk led by Sue Lowday and then Julia Margaret Cameron's home, now Dimbola, to see the Technicolour Dickens exhibition.

"The trip concluded at Osborne House where actor Gerald Charles Dickens (my brother) gave a private performance that explored the relationship - and the meetings - between Dickens and Queen Victoria."

In August, the Dickens Fellowship annual conference is being held in Portsmouth - where Dickens was born. His father John worked in the dockyard.

The fellowship was founded in 1902 and as a worldwide association of people from all walks of life, who share a common interest in Dickens' life and works.  

On August 7, one of the Solent Cruises vessels will meet delegates at Gunwharf Quays and take them to Cowes. The day trip is fully booked, with a waiting list.

Ian will be on board, delivering a running commentary. The group will visit Osborne House, and Bonchurch.

Visiting Bonchurch Parish Churchyard to see the Rev. White’s family graves.Visiting Bonchurch Parish Churchyard to see the Rev. White’s family graves. (Image: Ian Dickens)

When the Isle of Wight Walking Festival returns in October, Sue will hold more of her popular Bonchurch walks, discussing Dickens’ holidays in the village.

She has built on the initial research Alan Cartwright drew together, connecting the Miss Havisham story to Bonchurch.

She said: "It has been a fascinating time delving into the British Library and Scottish National Libraries' fabulous collections to discover more.

"I have always loved a ‘whodunit ’ and following the trails of information has been on par.

"I am finding all sorts of fascinating stories about the residents of the village in the Victorian period."