Tennyson the former Poet Laureate lived at Farringford in Freshwater for 40 years, during which time he hosted a string of distinguished guests including Lewis Carroll, Charles Darwin and Edward Lear..
A small extract from our poets Lady of Shalott
Only reapers, reaping early
In among the bearded barley,
Hear a song that echoes cheerly
From the river winding clearly,
Down to tower’d Camelot:
And by the moon the reaper weary,
Piling sheaves in uplands airy,
Listening, whispers “ ’Tis the fairy
Lady of Shalott.”