The Isle of Wight Pearl building is a bit of a talking point here on the island. It’s steeped in history and remembered by many as the Chilton Chine Holiday Camp, where it played a huge part in people’s holiday memories!
Read on to discover the history and see photos of how it used to be…
Chilton Chine Holiday Camp
Holiday camps around the UK were in their heyday in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s, and the Isle of Wight was no exception. In fact, Chilton Chine Holiday Camp was the first holiday camp in the UK to offer self-catering chalets over summer. And what amazing summers they were! With the beach moments away, rock pools, fancy dress nights, bands, lawn games, Thursday fish and chip vans, cabaret nights, bingo, sand pits and pinball machines – it was a wonderful experience for many.
The chalets were remembered as having ‘two very narrow single beds, a two-ring cooker, a sink and no bathroom!’. There were 74 small self-catering chalets, many along the side of the main building, and only one 6-bedroom chalet that had a toilet and a shower – the rest shared the communal block.
The Isle of Wight Pearl jewellery showroom you see today was the ballroom-come-entertaining area, and people still remember the bold purple and green paintwork that used to be inside!
During 1900-1950s
Going even further back, during World War One the Isle of Wight Pearl premise was used to lodge officers when their original billet, ‘Sea Breeze’, was bombed.
Then in the 1930s the building became a private residence for Lord Jeffery John Archer Amherst who was described as a pilot, businessman, journalist and author. Can you imagine living in this huge building? Apparently, the parties were second to none and it had a private landing strip for small planes!
In June 1955 the house and land were sold to Alexander Robert Humphrey for £5000 who converted it into Chilton Chine Holiday Camp.
Isle of Wight Pearl
In 1987 the premises was acquired again, this time by Isle of Wight Pearl and after much work inside and out, the building was restored enough to open its doors in 1988.
Over 35 years later, over 100,000 people pass through our doors each year, shopping for beautiful pearls, enjoying local homemade food, pearl experiences and sitting on our famous lawn area overlooking the most wonderful coastal views.
Do you have any photos or memories you can share with us? Upload them onto our Facebook post for everyone to see.
