Welcome to the Isle of Wight Follies - a massive real-world game of exploration in search of mythical beings

Where Stories Escape the Page and Walk Among Us

I didn’t just write a book called the Isle of Wight Follies.

I unwittingly cast a spell, which is odd because spelling has never been my strong point.

As I wrote the tales of mythical creatures roaming the Isle of Wight, something strange began to happen. Between the lines, a plan was forming. The creatures were plotting, a quiet rebellion inked in the margins.

One by one, they slipped off the page.

The 44 beings I thought I had created, sea serpents, banshees, wraiths, trolls, and the occasional gnome with a chip on his shoulder, united. Their combined power shattered the sentences that held them captive. Their inky prison torn apart, they escaped into the world.

Now, they roam the forests, haunt the beaches, loiter in cafés, and whisper secrets from shopfront windows across the Isle of Wight.

And so, the Isle of Wight Follies was born, not just a story anymore, but a living, evolving island-wide quest.

🗺️ What Is It?

The Isle of Wight Follies is a unique blend of myth, adventure, local business support, and real-world exploration.

• It started as a book.

• It became a storyworld.

• Now it’s a giant, interactive treasure hunt powered by QR codes, playful clues, and your curiosity.

There are 44 real locations tied to 44 mythical creatures, each with its tale, trail, and strange encounters to uncover. Whether you’re here for the week or a long-time local, you’re invited to step into the story and help it grow.

📱 How to get Started and Play

• 📦Grab a PASSPORT, this gives you some handy extras, including free play time, free read of the book and access to the collectable cards!

• 📦Optional - read the books - handy background and gives initial context. You could get that for free on Kindle.

• 🌀 Open the Quest Portal, and it’ll pick a location for you to begin your journey. OR, hit the QUEST menu button to select.

• 🧾 Look for the scan code on the windows or doors of participating businesses, scan, enter, buy, and show your passport with the magic word to be rewarded with a collectable.

• 📣 Have you seen something strange? Report your sighting to Island News.

🗞️ Island News — The Paper & The Broadcast

Each week, we publish an official Island News satirical newspaper, full of creature sightings, weird local gossip, and classified ads you didn’t know you needed.

And for those who prefer their news mysterious and mumbled, there’s also a video newscast hosted by a shadowy figure who may or may not be cursed by a sea witch. Have you seen, heard or imagined something slightly not right? report it to Island News and we'll rush to broadcast it sometime next week-ish :)

💼 What if I can't find the creature?

We thought about this, and our intrepid explorers and mythical researchers devised a cunning plan, though it's always being refined and might not actually work.. However. On the creature page, there is a 'Red Seal', break the seal (click it), and watch for the precise location of the last known marker, the NFC (Nearly Found Creature). A video will play that leads you exactly to the location. If you're out with kids or on a team build etc, then it's for you to reveal the location, a bit at a time.

Scan that, listen, then move on.. If you're still having problems, then WhatsApp us, the icon is at the bottom of the screen. We're constantly adding, but it takes time.

💼 What about those scan codes?

Local cafés, shops, and venues are part of the quest. Some host scan codes. Others also hand out Evidence Bags. A few even offer clues or report their creature sightings.

This massively weaves the island’s businesses into the lore. And when players visit those businesses, the magic becomes real, over a cappuccino, a sandwich, or maybe while trying on shoes next to a satyr.

🧙 Why You Should Join the Quest

Whether you're:

• A curious visitor looking for something different,

• A local explorer ready to see your hometown in a new light,

• Or a mythology fan itching to scan QR codes and summon creatures...

This game is for you.

✅ Explore lesser-known locations

✅ Collect artefacts

✅ Submit strange sightings

✅ Watch the story unfold each week

✅ Become part of a growing, island-wide legend

All for the price of a sandwich.

🎒 What You’ll Need

• A mobile phone

• A sense of humour

• A hint of imagination

• Comfy shoes

• Possibly a garlic ice cream, depending on your quest

🔮 Begin Your Adventure

Grab a Quest Pass. Open the Portal. Visit your first location. Scan. Discover. Report. Repeat.

🧾 Your name may not be in the book… but your story starts the moment you step outside.

START