Fortifications of the Isle of Wight Fortifications of the Isle of Wight Many forts and fortifications have been built to protect the Isle of Wight (South England) from foreign invasion. Throughout history the island has been a site of key military importance. Controlling both entrances to the Solent and the home of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth. This is a list of most of the fortifications on the island. The Palmerston Forts are forts built during the Victorian era. The name comes from their association with Lord Palmerston, who was the Prime Minister of the time and promoted the idea. The structures were built as a response
Culture of the Isle of Wight Maitland", are set on the island. The isle has been the setting for several novels, including Julian Barnes's utopian novel "England, England", and detective thrillers such as "The Fallen" by Robert Rennick. It also features in John Wyndham's novel "The Day of the Triffids" and Simon Clark's sequel "The Night of the Triffids". The Iranian-born poet Mimi Khalvati was educated at Upper Chine School in Shanklin; many of her poems are about the island, especially in the book "The Chine". Sandown-based author Edward Upward sets part of his book "In the Thirties" on the Isle of Wight. The 1973 film