During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Ventnor was the ultimate coastal destination. Drawn by the dramatic clifftop vistas, sweeping sea views, and mild microclimate, it became a sanctuary for the world’s greatest creative minds. But for guests of Ventnor Self Catering, history isn’t just a plaque on a wall – it’s an experience you can live in.

Sir Edward Elgar: The Bermuda House Honeymoon

In May 1889, following their wedding in London, the legendary British composer Sir Edward Elgar and his new bride, Caroline Alice Roberts, chose Ventnor for their honeymoon. They took up residence at Bermuda House. Inspired by the panoramic views of the English Channel and the quiet romance of the landscape, the newlywed couple spent their first weeks of married life soaking in the sea air. When you stand by the grand windows of Bermuda House today, you are sharing the exact same romantic horizon that captivated one of the greatest composers in British history at the happiest moment of his life.

Charles Dickens: Captivated by the Cliffs

The literary giant spent a summer just down the coast in Bonchurch, famously declaring Ventnor’s scenery to be “the most beautiful cliff in England.” The dramatic, inspiring vistas provided the perfect backdrop while he penned chapters of David Copperfield.

Karl Marx: Restoring the Spirit

Seeking a peaceful refuge to recover his health, the political philosopher spent winters on Ventnor’s vertical terraces between 1882 and 1883. He wrote warmly to his contemporaries about the mild winter weather, finding deep solace in the quiet rhythms of the English Channel.

Mahatma Gandhi: A Formative Journey

As a young law student in 1890 and 1891, Mahatma Gandhi visited Ventnor. Walking the historic town streets and taking in the coastal air. During his visits he was an active member of the London Vegetarian Society and lodged at Shelton’s Vegetarian Hotel, which helped shape his lifelong philosophies.  During his 1891 visit, Gandhi gave an address to a vegetarian meeting in Ventnor.

Living Inside the Story

Part of the magic of Ventnor is how beautifully preserved this heritage remains. Much of the town is still very much as it would have been in Victorian times.  Guests at our Bermuda House can feel especially close to this heritage as they share the rooms where the Elgars honeymooned.