Celebrating 175 Years Since Charles Dickens’ Holiday in Bonchurch with Miriam Margolyes

Miriam Margolyes reading at East Dene

2024 marked an exciting milestone for literature enthusiasts, as it commemorated 175 years since Charles Dickens and his family spent a memorable holiday in Bonchurch. Among the many celebrations, one special event unfolded in an unexpected yet delightful way.

A plan was hatched to present my talk on Dickens’ visit to Bonchurch to none other than Miriam Margolyes, a devoted Dickens scholar, during her stay on the Isle of Wight for the Wight Proms at Northwood House in August 2024. My dear friend, Dee Wright, who had owned East Dene for many years and organised children’s adventure holidays with the company Allnatt, first learned of Miriam’s planned visit while attending the Edinburgh Festival. As a huge fan of Miriam’s work, Dee and I conspired to invite her to hear my talk and visit East Dene—the very place where Dickens and his family enjoyed tea with Lady Swinburne and half the village.

My initial attempt to contact Miriam’s agent went unanswered. However, just a few days later, I received an exciting message from Lori Little, the Editor of the County Press, who asked me to get in touch as there was something that ‘might interest me.’ To my delight, I learned that Miriam talked to the County Press, expressing her interest in visiting Bonchurch and learning more about Dickens’ holiday at Winterbourne. It was quickly decided that she would listen to my talk before touring the village’s key Dickens-related sites. Dee graciously offered a seat at East Dene, with its breathtaking sea views, as the perfect setting for our gathering.

Miriam Margolyes taking notes at East Dene

On the day, Miriam was accompanied by the County Press's new apprentice reporter, Alex Cooper, Editor Lori Little, Miriam's friend Biddy O’Brian, Dee Wright, and myself. Dee led us on a fascinating tour of East Dene, recounting its remarkable history, including its connections to poet Algernon Swinburne, who resided there as a youth. He was a close friend of members of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, once sharing lodgings with Dante Gabriel Rossetti in Chelsea.

We spotted a series of faux books of Dickens works in the ‘bookcase' at East Dene including David Copperfield.

The faux books at East Dene

Miriam at Hillside Cottage

Following this, we set off to explore Bonchurch. One highlight was meeting Stephanie Doyle, owner of Hillside Cottage, where John Leech, the famous illustrator of A Christmas Carol, had stayed to be near Dickens during his eleven-week holiday. Miriam was captivated by the history surrounding these places and revelled in the chance to connect with Dickens' world.

Sue Lowday with Miriam at the Spyglass, Ventnor

Our next stop was a delicious lunch at the Spyglass in Ventnor, where we enjoyed lively conversation and further discussions on Dickens’ life and work.

To conclude our wonderful day, we visited Bonchurch Parish Church, where we paid our respects at Swinburne’s grave and that of Miriam’s friend, Fidelis M R Morgan. Inside the church, we admired its beautiful stained-glass windows and listened to stories about its rich history before finally parting ways.

Miriam was an absolute delight—her enthusiasm, warmth, and humour made the experience even more special. Her deep knowledge and passion for Dickens were evident throughout the day, making this encounter unforgettable.

2024 was a thrilling year for Dickens fans, with Ian Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, organising numerous events on the Isle of Wight to celebrate this historic anniversary. Unfortunately, Ian, who is a close friend of Miriam’s, was unable to join us on this occasion.

This remarkable day was a testament to the lasting legacy of Charles Dickens and the continued fascination with his life and works, bringing together history, literature, and kindred spirits in a truly memorable celebration.

Dee with her dog and Miriam.

This article is dedicated to the memory of Denea Wright, who loved Bonchurch and especially East Dene. Her wonderful sense of humour will be a lasting memory; I fully expect to see her and her partner Jane haunting East Dene.

With many thanks for the images supplied by the Isle of Wight County Press and Denea Wright (Dee to her friends).

The County Press Article 23.8.2024