Miriam Margolyes enjoys a Charles Dickens day out on the Isle of Wight

Knowing Miriam is a huge fan of Charles Dickens, she was treated to a very special day out in the shadow of the writer, touring his favourite haunts in Bonchurch.

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The trip came about after the County Press's new apprentice reporter Alex Cooper established a rapport with Miriam when he interviewed her while on a week of work experience at the paper, in the run up to her sell-out appearance at Wight Proms.

(Image: IWCP) Miriam Margolyes at Hillside Cottage in Bonchurch

Miriam was unaware of the Dickens connection to Bonchurch and was keen to visit the village and learn more.

As a result, County Press editor Lori Little organised the day, drafting in experts to bring Dickens’ Bonchurch to life.

Miriam, 83, was given a talk by Dickens historian and Bonchurch tour guide Sue Lowday at East Dene, with the venue offered courtesy of Dee Wright, who has a long connection with poet Algernon Swinburne's former home.

Ian Dickens, a great great grandson of Charles, who lives on the Island and knows Miriam, was also invited but was unable to make it.

At the Spyglass, Miriam Margolyes with, from left, Dee Wright of East Dene, her friend Biddy O'Brien, CP reporter Alex Cooper, CP editor Lori Little and Dickens expert Sue Lowday (Image: IWCP)

Dickens stayed in nearby Winterbourne, for 11 weeks in the summer of 1849, where he wrote David Copperfield and found inspiration for his next novel, Great Expectations.

Sue's talk firmly situated Bonchurch in the Dickens story, introducing the key players from the village that inspired and influenced the author.

Throughout the talk, Miriam took notes, asked questions enthusiastically, and read Dickens' letters aloud. 

Miriam also visited Hillside Cottage on Bonchurch Shute, the summer residence of Punch illustrator John Leech, where Dickens stayed to nurse his friend in the summer of 1849.  

Owner Stephanie Doyle showed Miriam around the property, including looking at the original deeds.

The group then had lunch at Ventnor's popular Spyglass Inn, with Miriam soaking in the sea views.

Miriam Margolyes with the CP's Lori Little and Alex Cooper (Image: IWCP)

The day’s proceedings were rounded off with visits to Old St Boniface Church and St Boniface Church, the latter of which is where Dickens enjoyed the sermons of the Rev. James White.

Miriam also visited Osborne House the previous day, accompanied by Alex, and they ate fish and chips together on Cowes Promenade. 

Alex said: “It was wonderful to see Miriam enjoy the sights of the Island and spend two days with her. I was struck by her fierce intellect and warmth. We laughed a lot together!

“She’s helped me enormously in starting my career as a journalist, and I’ll never forget it."