Hamstead Ogre – Isle of Wight Follies Treasure Hunt

Isle of Wight Follies
Sep 3
3 min read

Updated: Sep 12

The Hamstead Ogre – Isle of Wight Follies, a curious being that lives on the stunning coastline of Hamstead, where the beaches are peaceful, the skies are wide, and the neighbours… are anything but.

A Day in the Life of the Hamstead Ogre - Isle of Wight Follies

It isn’t easy being an Ogre in Hamstead. His neighbours are a lively, noisy bunch:

The Nymph of Marks Corner, who thinks it’s hilarious to leap out and scare anyone passing by.
The Sphinx of Shalfleet, so aloof that it refuses to answer even the simplest riddle without a long sigh.
The Faun of Newbridge, forever tinkering, hammering, and fiddling with things that don’t belong to him.
And of course, the Mermaid of Yarmouth, sunbathing with her hair combs and occasionally nibbling on unsuspecting fishermen.

With friends like these, no wonder the Ogre has perfected the art of being perpetually annoyed.

Secret Soft Side

But here’s the surprise: the Hamstead Ogre isn’t nearly as grumpy as he pretends to be. Behind the loud sighs and thunderous footsteps is a creature with a surprisingly gentle heart.

The Ogre loves nothing more than rescuing stray cats and dogs from the cliffs and coves, carrying them home in his enormous hands. And once they’re settled? He reads them poetry.

The cats, naturally, try to claw their way out. The dogs whimper and dig for an escape route. But the Ogre has thought of everything; one hand turns the pages, the other keeps the animals firmly in place.

The poems are long, rambling, and usually about how dreadful the Sphinx’s riddles are, or how the Mermaid never shares her chips. But to the Ogre, it’s the height of culture.

Island Lore & Local Legends

For all his quirks, the Hamstead Ogre has become a legend of the western coast. Some locals swear they’ve seen him stomping along the shoreline at sunset, a cat perched on one shoulder and a dog tucked under the other arm. Others claim they’ve heard his booming voice reciting lines of poetry into the wind, the sea breeze carrying half-rhymed words across the sand.

Whether you believe the stories or not, the Isle of Wight wouldn’t be quite the same without its collection of unusual neighbours, and the Hamstead Ogre may be the strangest of them all.

Things to do in Hamstead

Stroll the Hamstead Heritage Coast: Wander along serene salt marshes and low clay cliffs in the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Keep an eye peeled for redshanks, oystercatchers, and ringed plovers, nature’s postcard come to life.

Trek the Hamstead Trail: Take the 8-mile loop from Newtown Bay to Brook Bay or follow the longer coastal path linking Newtown to Yarmouth, perfect for storytellers, sea views, and encountering your next mythical friend.

Wander through Newtown Harbour Nature Reserve: Explore ancient port ruins, boardwalks, and tranquil estuaries.

Uncover Hamstead’s Hidden History: Spot the faint remains of the 19th-century horse-drawn Hamstead Tramway and ponder the WWII nautical ramp at Hamstead Point, remnants of island ingenuity and unspoken adventure.

Planning Your Quest

When you’re out questing with your Passport, keep an eye on the coast around Hamstead. The Ogre might be there, rescuing another stray or grumbling about his neighbours.

And if you hear poetry drifting through the trees? That’s your sign that the Ogre is near. Perhaps you’ll even be lucky enough to catch a line or two before he disappears back into the mist with his furry companions.

The Adventure Continues

The Isle of Wight Follies Passport doesn’t just open the door to mythical creatures like the Hamstead Ogre. It’s your companion to 44 legendary locations across the Island, each with its own tale, its own quirks, and its own adventure.

The quest never truly ends, so keep your Passport close, and let your imagination lead the way.