One of the highlights of our 4 day stay on the Island. A most fascinating - and eccentric - museum, with charming, and some equally eccentric volunteers. Masses to look at and read; the place is like a tardis! And fun to dress up too - even for adults! It is a must if you have not been there!

This interesting museum was the former home of Julia Cameron one of the pioneers of portrait photography. Her portraits are similar to pre- raphelite paintings but she was unique in being a woman handling very heavy equipment and creating art. The house also has an exhibition of the Isle of Wight Festival and some contemporary exhibitions. It also has a... More

The cafe/restaurant at this place is a little gem! We stumbled across it quite by accident and I can only imagine that most of their trade is either local or on recommendation. The menu is limited to a few light lunches, but all the better for it. There is also a small specials board. We were so impressed, we had... More

They were a small group of residents with a vision - to save Julia Margaret Cameron's house from demolition and turn it into a museum of photography. Yet in the early nineteen-nineties they had to battle against negativity and indifference. Twenty years later Dimbola Lodge is a major contemporary photographic gallery, as well as housing a permanent collection of Julia's... More

Really beautiful location. A really interesting and informative museum.rich in Island History. Excellent use made of all areas. The IOW Festival Exhibition an added extra. Mat Hatters Tea Room in keeping with the building as a whole. Great choice. Friendly and efficient young staff. All in all a great way to pass a couple of hours.

A hidden gem. A lovely museum where we learnt a huge amount about life on the Island in the Victorian era, about the wonderful life and works of Julia Margaret Cameron and about the history of the infamous Isle of Wight Music Festival and a fab statue of Jimi Hendrix. Its incredible to think that all this history would have... More

We stayed nearby and went to this restaurant on a couple of occasions. I really wanted to try the crab soup which is on the permanent menu but they did not have it (we had brocoli and stilton which was delicious) I asked when it would be on again and they said which day can you come in and we... More

The nice man at the desk was ok, but felt a bit out of place and like i was disrupting a quiet lodge house. Did not feel welcome and there is not alot on the menu.

This small museum houses a fascinating collection of phtographs and photographic equipment from the Victorian era, many of the subjects being local to the area or interesting and eminent visitors. The work of one woman who pioneered portrait photography is remarkable and you do not have to be a professional to appreciate her achievements. There is a small restaurant serving... More