From secret rocket testing and prehistoric dinosaurs to a rather less believable dragon beneath Newport, a new free adventure is inviting people to uncover the Isle of Wight’s hidden stories.
Isle of Wight Follies has opened its digital exploration experience across 45 locations, mixing genuine local history with deliberately ridiculous mythology to encourage Islanders and visitors to discover more about the places around them.
Among the stories is the Island’s role in Britain’s space programme, with Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets tested at the Needles during the 1950s and 1960s. Black Arrow went on to launch the Prospero satellite into orbit in 1971.
The Isle of Wight’s prehistoric past also features heavily, with the Island recognised as one of the richest locations in Britain for dinosaur remains and fossils from more than 20 types of Early Cretaceous dinosaur discovered here.
And then there is the dragon supposedly lurking beneath Newport.
That one, the team behind Follies admits, may not be entirely true.
The experience allows people to explore locations virtually from home before heading out to discover them for themselves, or to follow the stories on location using a mobile phone.
Founder Mark McIntyre said:
“Someone sitting in Birmingham can explore Yarmouth from their sofa, discover something extraordinary and think, ‘I’d like to see that for myself.’
“When they come to the Isle of Wight, the same experience becomes an on-location adventure.
“Islanders can use it in exactly the same way to discover places and history they may have been walking past for years.”
Follies also aims to encourage people to discover independent Island businesses along the way, with cafés, shops and attractions incorporated into relevant locations and journeys rather than presented as standalone listings.
Mark added:
“We provide the adventure. Island businesses become part of what people discover along the way.
“If somebody discovers Yarmouth virtually, visits it for real and then finds a café, shop or attraction they didn’t know existed, that is good for the Explorer and good for the Island economy.”
Larger adventures currently cover Ryde, Cowes, Newport and Yarmouth, forming part of a network spanning 45 locations across the Island.
The digital experience is completely free, with users able to create an Explorer account without paying a subscription.
An optional physical Passport and Follies anthology are also available for £10.
