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  • Culture
    Culture
    Charlie and her Dad at Havenstreet

    Violinist Charlie Wild brings railway memories to life at Ventnor Fringe

    Performer dressed all in black acting as though he is falling against a red background

    Mime, clown and horror collide in David Hoskin’s new Ventnor Fringe performance: A Haunted House

    Gabriela Flarys performing Deluge on stage - playing an organ whilst having her head through a stepladder

    Magical realism show Deluge brings grief, Komodo dragons and jam to Ventnor Fringe

    Lily Blacksell performing on stage at Glastonbury

    Ventnor Fringe to host high-energy poetry show championing overlooked voices and unsung songs

    Gem Bell's pictorial history of Isle of Wight Festival made up of collage of different musicians who have played there

    Isle of Wight artist’s pictorial history of the festival comes to Dimbola this summer

  • What’s On
    What's On

    Below you’ll find the latest features highlighting the upcoming events here on the Isle of Wight.

    If you would like to promote an event to OnTheWight readers, find out more.

    Wootton Primary pupils taking part in Mardi Gras

    Isle of Wight Mardi Gras returns to Ryde with folklore theme for 2026

    Charlie and her Dad at Havenstreet

    Violinist Charlie Wild brings railway memories to life at Ventnor Fringe

    Staff from Glanvilles Damant and Prospect Mortgages painting the Rabbit enclosures

    RSPCA Isle of Wight’s first Corporate Volunteer Day proves a hit

    Gabriela Flarys performing Deluge on stage - playing an organ whilst having her head through a stepladder

    Magical realism show Deluge brings grief, Komodo dragons and jam to Ventnor Fringe

    Lily Blacksell performing on stage at Glastonbury

    Ventnor Fringe to host high-energy poetry show championing overlooked voices and unsung songs

  • Sustainability
    Sustainability

    If you want to find out more about sustainability and the issues that affect our environment, you’re in the right place.

    Whether it’s details of changes you can make at home, or at your business or work, we lay out the facts and let you share your opinion.

    Below are articles relating to sustainability and green issues on the Isle of Wight.

    Lorna Selby standing by a river

    Isle of Wight conservationist named Rising Star in national environment power list

    Volunteers planting at Calshot Restoration Site

    Record number of seagrass seeds planted in Solent this spring in major restoration effort

    Lucia Para sitting by beach painting

    Isle of Wight Biosphere Festival programme returns with more than 100 events across the Island

  • Community
    Community
    Staff from Glanvilles Damant and Prospect Mortgages painting the Rabbit enclosures

    RSPCA Isle of Wight’s first Corporate Volunteer Day proves a hit

    lifeboat lotto balls

    Sign up for the Lifeboat Lotto and support our local independent lifeboat crews

    The St Catherine's tuck shop stall at Isle of Wight Festival

    St Catherine’s School brings charity stall to Isle of Wight Festival

    Volunteer at Ventnor Fringe Festival

    Ventnor Fringe seeks volunteers for 2026: Join the ‘festival family’

    Pride in Place set up at Department

    Drop-in sessions offer Ryde community a say on neighbourhood funding priorities

  • News
    News
    Wootton Primary pupils taking part in Mardi Gras

    Isle of Wight Mardi Gras returns to Ryde with folklore theme for 2026

    ammonite

    New ammonite species named after Isle of Wight fossil hunter Martin Simpson

    The RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Centre (ILC) in Cowes.

    Unite launches petition calling on RNLI to halt Cowes job losses

    Staff from Glanvilles Damant and Prospect Mortgages painting the Rabbit enclosures

    RSPCA Isle of Wight’s first Corporate Volunteer Day proves a hit

    Lorna Selby standing by a river

    Isle of Wight conservationist named Rising Star in national environment power list

    Performer dressed all in black acting as though he is falling against a red background

    Mime, clown and horror collide in David Hoskin’s new Ventnor Fringe performance: A Haunted House

    People gathered in London wearing Union Flags as capes

    Police and charity join forces to support domestic abuse victims during World Cup

    County Hall

    Southern Water apologises to councillors over Island sewage failures

    Gatten and Lake Primary School from the road

    Gatten and Lake Primary to consult on expanding provision for two-year-olds

    richard quigley and the minister in meeting with ferry companies

    Minister visits Isle of Wight to hear ferry firms’ emissions scheme concerns

    Artist's impression of the Marina

    Council to decide on East Cowes marina plans next week

    Cowes Hammerhead Crane

    Isle of Wight Council recovers £358,000 in legal battle to protect Cowes hammerhead crane

    Head Brewer Josh Davies, left and David Yates (Jnr)

    ‘Old Man Yatesy’ ale keeps Isle of Wight brewery founder’s legacy alive for hospice charity

    Gem Bell's pictorial history of Isle of Wight Festival made up of collage of different musicians who have played there

    Isle of Wight artist’s pictorial history of the festival comes to Dimbola this summer

    Visitors at 'Translating Frequencies639', All Saints’ Church, Calbourne, 2025. Photo Credit Pete Johnstone

    Acclaimed sound installation returns to Calbourne church as part of Biosphere Festival

    Medina Community Choir members

    Medina Community Choir marks 20 years with Island concerts and France tour

  • Travel
    Travel

    Our Travel section is the place to check for fast and accurate travel updates from all the ferry companies, bus, train and hovercraft operator.

    In this section, we’ll also let you know about road closures and diversions.

    Below are articles relating to Isle of Wight travel.

    richard quigley and the minister in meeting with ferry companies

    Minister visits Isle of Wight to hear ferry firms’ emissions scheme concerns

    traffic information sign at side of road

    Fairlee Road one-way system returns for Isle of Wight Festival week

    gurnard parish council meeting

    Gurnard parking problems described as ‘biggest issue’ facing residents

    one-network road closures map

    Checking before you travel could save you time and frustration: Isle of Wight roadworks map

    teenagers on a bus

    Isle of Wight families set to save thousands under Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme

    Towngate Bridge, Newport

    Weight restrictions lifted on seven Isle of Wight bridges

    Quay wall at the ferry terminal

    Red Funnel submits plans to repair failing quay wall near ferry terminal

    General highway maintenance signage

    Fairlee Road night works to improve two sections of Newport road next month

    Steve Cooper at community meeting

    Ventnor Town Council renews community bus contract and freshens up public conveniences

    Two Hovertravel craft at Ryde

    New hovercraft route linking Lee-on-Solent with the Isle of Wight begins trial this summer

    staff with cockroaches

    Cowes cleaner discovers box of Madagascan hissing cockroaches during town round

    new green electric bus

    Isle of Wight’s new electric bus fleet cuts emissions by 75 per cent

    Joe Robertson speaking in parliament

    Isle of Wight East MP raises £511 Solent ferry fare in Commons energy debate

    road closed sign laying flat on the road

    Daytime closure of road between Brading and Ryde this week

    Electric cars lined up in the car park

    Wight Community Energy brings Going Electric back to Newport for fifth year

    Class 444 Train Platform 18

    Faulty radio system causes widespread train disruption across southern England

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  • 17, June 2026
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Isle of Wight oil drilling and exploration

The Isle of Wight has a number of licenses granted by the UK Government to explore to drill for oil.

Onshore they are: Arreton 1 and 2 (PEDL 331); Sandhills 1, 2, 2z; and Chessell.

Offshore they’re off the south west coast of the Isle of Wight.

Anti Fracking demonstation, Compton Bay, Isle of Wight, England, 31 Janaury 2016, About 80 people braved the wind and the rain to demonstrate in the car park at Compton Bay, against onshore and offshore fracking operations. That hydraulic fracturing is planned for the Island has been confirmed by Solo Oil in a recent press statement. Compton Bay is National Trust land and part of an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is also part of the Jurassic Coastline famed for fossils.
1, February 2016·3 min read

Isle of Wight anti-fracking campaigners join national day of action

More than 130 Islanders gathered at Compton on Sunday to voice their concerns about fracking on the Isle of Wight. The gathering raised awareness of the campaign and even made it onto the BBC local news (watch the video below).
ukog - maps
28, January 2016·1 min read

Plans for Isle of Wight oil exploration full steam ahead

Despite it being suggested at last week's full council that oil exploration on the isle of Wight is unlikely due to the high cost of extraction, UKOG say the economic viability of project is robust and they intend to move forward with plans.
keith taylor green mep
21, January 2016·1 min read

Greens welcome more robust regulations for fracking applications

As well as eight councillors either voting against or abstaining in Cllr Medland's fracking motion, nine other councillors had already left the chamber and one was absent from the entire meeting.
County Hall:
20, January 2016·5 min read

Councillor calls for support on fracking conditions

Cllr John Medland is calling on other Isle of Wight councillors to support his motion on the council's approach to fracking at tonight's full council meeting.
sylvia presentation at fracking event
19, January 2016·1 min read

Islanders share their fracking concerns

Islanders came together on Saturday to find out more about the possible impact of fracking and to share their concerns.
frack free zone
23, December 2015·1 min read

Frack Free Isle of Wight offer drop-in session to find out more

The informal drop-in session is being held in the New Year, where you can find out more about fracking on the Isle of Wight and the aims of the group.
Oil exploration
21, December 2015·1 min read

Oil exploration in Arreton gets licence

A licence for oil exploration in a 200 sq km area on the Isle of Wight was approved in the same week Parliament approved changes allowing fracking in National Parks, AONBs and SSSIs.
fracking - oily water
21, September 2015·2 min read

Last chance to have your say before Fracking Licenses could be approved

This consultation on Habitats Regulations Assessments (which closes on 29th September) could be the last opportunity to make your views known before Fracking licenses for the Isle of Wight are approved. Find out more at Wednesday's meeting.
Fracking possibilities on Isle of Wight
20, August 2015·2 min read

Fracking or drilling possible over most of Isle of Wight

Do you like the idea of fracking or oil exploration over the most of the Isle of Wight? Here's what we know about it, what you can do about it and how quickly you have to act.
Barrels of oil
25, March 2015·1 min read

100m barrels of oil under Isle of Wight, ‘Drill ready’ claims company

The company with the rights to extract oil from Isle of Wight sites have today announced they think that there's over 100 million barrels available - and it's 'drill ready'.
oil and gas licenses
10, November 2014·1 min read

More Oil and Gas licences granted off the Isle of Wight

Business and Energy Minister Matthew Hancock says "Industry are scrambling over themselves to invest in the UK and explore for energy."
Fracking
19, August 2014·1 min read

UKIP support an Island Vote on Fracking

Isle of Wight UKIP believe fracked oil and gas might help lower prices and help the public purse.
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