Slip back into the world of Charles Dickens with a captivating weekend at The Royal Hotel, Isle of Wight.
Step into a world of wit, warmth and wonder as The Royal Hotel proudly presents its Dickens House Party — an exclusive new weekend event celebrating Charles Dickens’ works and his rich connection to the Isle of Wight.
This unique event brings together for the very first time, as hosts and in performance, Gerald Dickens and his brother Ian Dickens – great-great-grandsons of Charles Dickens. Gerald, renowned worldwide for his one-man theatrical performances, and Ian, a long-time Isle of Wight resident and joint guardian of the family legacy, come together to give guests a unique insight into their famous ancestor’s life and works.
The Royal Hotel has been the Isle of Wight’s most sought-after luxury retreat since 1832; the hotel restaurant has held 2 AA Rosettes for over 30 years and is the centre of fine dining on the island. The Royal is also known as the home of afternoon tea, a tradition first developed here by Queen Victoria – a frequent visitor to the hotel.
Dickens himself stayed at The Royal in 1838 and returned to the island for four months in 1849 while writing ‘David Copperfield’. He famously described Bonchurch and Ventnor as “it is the prettiest place I ever saw in my life, either at home or abroad.” Now you are invited to follow in his footsteps.
Inclusive of:
* The free, self-guided Charles Dickens Trail — visiting many of the places where Dickens stayed, lived and found inspiration during his time on the Island — is available for guests who wish to explore it at their leisure. Complimentary route maps are provided. Please note that this is an independent, self-guided walk and is not organised or supervised by The Royal Hotel.
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Gerald Dickens is an actor, director and producer who has devoted his career to celebrating the work of his great-great-grandfather, Charles Dickens. Since creating his first one-man show of A Christmas Carol in 1993, he has toured the world with his acclaimed performances, bringing Dickens’s characters to life on stage in theatres, festivals, hotels and even on cruise ships.
He has written and performed a range of shows based on Dickens’s stories, and is also the author of two books, Dickens and Staplehurst: A Biography of a Rail Crash and My Life on the Road With A Christmas Carol. Gerald’s deep knowledge and lively storytelling make him a captivating guide to the world of Charles Dickens.
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Writer, artist, and great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, who has deep ties to the Isle of Wight and its literary heritage as President of the Dickens Pickwick Club. An Island resident who is passionate about the island where his ancestor once stayed and wrote, Ian helped create the Dickens Walk, a beautifully curated trail linking Shanklin, Ventnor and Bonchurch, bringing to life the landscapes that inspired Dickens in 1849.
Hear Ian share stories from his family’s history, insights into Dickens’s time on the Isle, and the origins of the new trail that allows visitors to quite literally walk in Dickens’s footsteps.
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Charles Dickens had a long and fascinating connection with the Isle of Wight, first visiting Ventnor in 1838 when he stayed at what is now The Royal Hotel and declared the local area (Bonchurch/Ventnor) as “the prettiest place I have ever seen.” Drawn by the fresh sea air and dramatic coastline, he returned in 1849 to spend a golden summer in Bonchurch, writing David Copperfield, walking the cliffs with local friends and finding inspiration in the Island’s people and places.
From the real-life Miss Havisham to the Dick family behind the beloved character Mr Dick. At this special event at The Royal Hotel, Gerald and Ian Dickens (Charles’s great-great-grandsons) will bring these stories to life, offering a fascinating insight into his time on the Island and the origin stories behind some of his most memorable characters.
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The Royal invites you to experience fine dining at its best with exclusive set menus created especially for our Dickens House Party. Our restaurant has proudly held 2 AA Rosettes for over 30 years.
Across the weekend, you’ll enjoy beautifully crafted dishes, from elegant seafood and slow-cooked favourites to indulgent desserts - all bringing a touch of Victorian theatre to your plate - as well as great company.
We are experiencing an unprecedented demand for bookings at the current time.
When booking rooms online, please be advised that if our Dinner, Bed and Breakfast or Ferry Inclusive Packages are not available, our restaurant is fully booked for your chosen dates.
