The Heritage Centre

 

The Chine Lodge is Victorian and built on the site of one of the oldest houses in Shanklin. At one time it was a guest house, very popular with newlyweds and for many years was known as Honeymoon Cottage. For a while it served as the first school in Shanklin for the fishermen's children.
Now an elegant conservatory has extended the Lodge to form the Heritage Centre which complements the Tea Garden and Gift Shop.

 

 

This Centre illustrates the story of the formation of the Chine, the development of Shanklin as a seaside resort and the life and times of the inhabitants during Queen Victoria's reign. The local fishing industry, smuggling, the coming of the railway, the building of the pier and the development of Shanklin as a spa are all displayed in often unique archive material.

The Heritage Centre has a reputation for mounting high-quality, picture-based displays. For example, 1994 The Isle of Wight D-Day Exhibition, 1995-1996 Victory ’45, 1997-1999 Poets and The Island, 2000-2002 Century of Solent Sea and Sail, 2003 – The Island – Then and Now. (Dinosaurs to Today). 2004 with a special feature on D-Day - 2005 with a special feature on Victory '45 – 60th Anniversary, together with a commemoration to Nelson and his Island links.

Our exhibition combines several topics featured in previous displays. In addition, we are proud to display for this season only, Alan Morgan’s successful exhibition “To War with a Paintbox” recently shown at the Quay Arts Centre.

Aviation and the Island continues telling the exciting story of the Island's long association with flying and aircraft construction. It recounts the development of the ISLANDER aeroplane, famous for its ruggedness, simplicity and its short take-off and landing ability. This classic workhorse plane is a lasting tribute to the memories of two brilliant designers, John Britten and Desmond Norman.

 

There is also an account of the use of the Chine as a training ground for 40 Royal Marine Commando. PLUTO (Pipe-Line Under The Ocean) ran through the Chine and there are still 65 yards of the pipe remaining. PLUTO, one of the great secret successes of the war, was the idea of Lord Mountbatten. During the Normandy invasion in 1944, forked pipelines from the Chine and Sandown carried petrol 65 miles under the Channel to Cherbourg. A cross-section of the actual pipe can be seen, together with a short film of the Story of PLUTO.

We sell a book on P.L.U.T.O now in its fourth reprint as well as a fascinating life story, written by ex-commando Jock Farmer. please click this link for more information. or alternatively visit the Gift shop