Islanders and visitors certainly took interest in the partial solar eclipse on Wednesday evening.
In their hoards, they made their way to a variety of locations around the Island in an attempt to get a clear view of the special astronomical event.
Cars left blocking road on Ventnor Down
Ventnor Down was one such location. In fact, so many people arrived by car that many drivers simply abandoned their cars in the road whilst the eclipse was taking place.
This resulted in drivers being blocked in until those people returned to their cars after the event.
Our thanks to Angie Davies and John Bentley for sharing their photos of the car chaos.
Timelapses
If you are a Facebook user, MJ Photography shared an impressive timelapse over Portsmouth of the partial solar eclipse which you can find on their Page.
Meanwhile, back on the Island Twilight Light Photography shared this great montage of images. They told OnTheWight they’d taken more than 300 photos (one every 30 seconds) and managed to create this wonderful illustration of the eclipse by St Catherine’s Lighthouse.
Highpoints and shorelines offer clear views
Elsewhere on the Island people made their way to highpoints and shorelines to watch the partial eclipse. Because it was not a full eclipse, total darkness was not experienced, although the light changed enough to notice a difference, and there was a sudden drop in temperature.
Some people watched the eclipse on their walls through the shadow of the trees. Our thanks to Angela Hewitt for sharing her photos below.
Filmmaker highlights drought-hit landscape on camera
Isle of Wight short filmmaker, Paul Knights, decided to opt for St Catherine’s Down to shoot his video. A relaxing watch that also really highlights just how the Island’s landscape has been affected by the drought.
Article edit
1.35pm 13th Aug 2026 – Twilight Wight photo added
