Arreton

Downend

A little to the north of the village of Arreton is the Hare and Hounds, an old inn with long bar and timbered roof. This building is haunted by the ghost of a man, which seems to be a magnet for ghostly activity from the nearby Gallows Hill. In 1737, a woodcutter called Michael Morey was tried and hanged in Winchester for killing his grandson. His body was then brought back to Arreton, where it was left unburied and his corpse left rotting on the gibbet at Gallows Hill, until it became "an offence to eye and nostril”, which was situated near the Hare and Hounds pub. The original beam can be seen in the pub, which may explain why he returns to haunt this historic place. This restless soul may also intend never to be forgotten for his heinous crime. The apparition of a man has been reported roaming Gallows Hill, with his head hanging loosely to the side. This figure is also said to be yielding an axe. It is thought that this is the troubled soul of Michael Morey, wandering this lonely stretch of the hillside vying to be remembered. It may also explain that this tormentted soul will never be granted peace from this atmosphere.

Robin Hill Country Park

Robin Hill is the Island’s best country park with something for everyone, young or old! It’s warm, friendly and non-commercial atmosphere is renowned the Island over and is popular with thousands of visitors every year. Robin Hill has much to offer everyone. For the young at heart there is the Time Machine, Colossus swing boat and toboggan track rides. The park also provides a number of enjoyable play facilities set sympathetically into the delightful Island countryside. The Squirrel Tower, Duckdown play village, Troll Island bridges and wooden maze all provide fantastic family fun. The park’s extensive woodland has been receiving some special treatment in the last 3 years, which adults will especially enjoy. New woodland gardens have been created with themes linked to the Island’s history and culture. A woodland tree house centre narrates the story of the park’s flora and fauna and provides a stunning start to the woodland garden walk. Local sculptors have created a sculpture trail, which leads to the park’s new 13m biodome, themed with driftwood and aromatic plants. Woodland ponds have been rejuvenated, providing a stunning new centrepiece to the garden project. Everyone can enjoy Robin Hill’s daily birds of prey displays with Destiny, our new golden eagle, who will be at the centre of the twice-daily events. Robin Hill is one of the best places in the UK to see red squirrels; our popular Squirrel Safari is free every Thursday at 14:30.

Bestival

The Bestival is a music festival. It is held annually in late summer since 2004 in a small country park called 'Robin Hill'. The event is organized by Rob da Bank and is an off-shoot of his Sunday Best record label and club nights. The Isle of Wight was chosen for many reasons as the site of the Bestival, primarily due to its notable natural beauty. It is also known that the Isle of Wight holds more carnivals per capita than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. For more information on the fesivals from 2004 to 2008 see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bestival