The Orrery Cafe

'A little bit of heaven in the heart of Ryde'

The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.

The Orrery complete with a golden Cicada

 

Welcome to the Orrery. Please note that we will not be open in 2008 as we are now close to completeing the first stage of our intended Globe Museum, the museum will be situated in the great hall, directly behind the Orrery Cafe, and while the transformation takes place the dust and noise will make the day to day running of the cafe unfeasible. This website will be updated when a opening date is planned.

 

 

The Orrery Cafe is to be found at 15 Union Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight. The walls of the cafe are muralled,depicting a celestial globe, hanging from the pole star in the center of the ceiling, is one of the UK's finest planetariums. Consequently, if you step inside the Orrery Cafe, you are infact stepping inside a model of our universe and can witness the movement of the major planets of our Solar system (including Pluto). The Planets all move correctly in relation to one another.

 

<img height=573 src="images-Orrery/CAFE%20EXTERIOR_2007.jpg" width=394 border=3 alt="The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.">

Interior of 'The Orrery' with the planetariums Sun completely bright.

 

At the Orrery, time moves quickly, as the planet Earth takes just one minute to orbit its Sun. The muralled art work in the orrery is celestial and all the stars of the ceiling and the upper parts of the Orrery's walls are lit by fibre optic cable (over 90,000 ft!), these stars shine when a coin is donated towards the proposed museum, the celestial artwork is figurative but a with a difference, instead of traditional figures for the 12 Zodiac figures as well as the figures that surround Zodiac, you will find that the Orrery's artwork features the characters from Lewis Carrolls famous 2 books Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass, and is based on a recent theory that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) used the known constellations of the heavens as reference for his Alice books. More about this unusual theory can be found on the Greaves & Thomas website.

 

 

<img height=573 src="images-Orrery/CAFE%20EXTERIOR_2007.jpg" width=394 border=3 alt="The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.">

Interior showing planetariums Sun with mid brightness

Surprisingly, while many people agree that the Orrery has one of the finest planetariums to be found in the United Kingdom, we believe there are eight finer planetariums to be found within the Orrery cafe itself! This is because we have made all the cafe tables with mirrored surfaces, thus when you look through the mirrored table at the planetarium, because the mirror enhances an illusion of depth, the planetarium appears to have a more three dimensional quality. The planetarium is activated by inserting a coin into what is now known as 'The God Slot', here you can literally be a Master of the Universe and control the brightness of the Sun, make the planets move and lastly make the stars shine.

 

<img height=573 src="images-Orrery/CAFE%20EXTERIOR_2007.jpg" width=394 border=3 alt="The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.">

Planetarium as viewed through the Orrery Cafe's tables.

The Orrery cafe was destined to have white marble topped tables, however, when visiting Venice, we decided to have tea in the Hotel des Bains (location for the film 'Death in Venice'), here we marvelled at their mirrored tables, which despite being made in the 1920's, showed very little wear. It was only when we placed the mirrored tables below the planetarium that we realised that by default we had created something out of the norm.

<img height=573 src="images-Orrery/CAFE%20EXTERIOR_2007.jpg" width=394 border=3 alt="The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.">

Planetarium at night with minimum internal light, note the fibre optic stars are illuminated.

 

The Orrery Cafe is the first phase of transforming 15 Union Street from a derelect vacant building into an amusing attraction on the Isle of Wight. In the coming year we intend to reopen the Great Hall beyond the cafe, and in a few years time open the United Kingdom's first Globe Museum.

<img height=573 src="images-Orrery/CAFE%20EXTERIOR_2007.jpg" width=394 border=3 alt="The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.">

A Hermetic Globe hangs outside the Orrery recording the day it was made 06/06/06

Outside the Orrery hangs an illusion which is often called "The Wonder of Ryde" as it appears to be a mirror ball which does not reflect, instead it reflects the street on the day it was made (June 2006), on this day members of the Isle of Wight Austin Club kindly parked their cherished automobiles in Union Street so that they could also be recorded by the Hermetic Globe, Sir Partick Moore also kindly agreed to be photographed, so that when you look up at the globe, your reflection is replaced by Sir Patricks, who is smiling and waving back at you.

The Orrery presently serves select teas and coffees including mocha's, latte's, cappuccino's etc. The Coffee is a fair trade source and while we also supply herbal teas, green teas etc., the main tea is supplied by Darvilles of Windsor, interestingly enough, our tea is the same as used by the Lanesborough Hotel in London, though while the Lanesborough will charge you a princely £4.90 a pop, you will find ours surprisingly 'cheap' in comparison as they are all reasonably priced from just 90 pence, infact we trust that you will find all our beverages, juices, smoothies, sodas and light meals all very reasonably priced despite the unusual lavish location.

 

Contact details:

 

Email: info@theorrery.co.uk Website: www.theorrery.co.uk Telephone 01983 568 555

 

Opening Times: High Season 7 days a week 10-5ish (Sundays may open for shorter hours)

 

Available for hire for birthdays, parties etc.

 

Questions and Answers:

 

Q: In the Orrery, I am sure I have seen your fantastic counter before!

A: Well this is not an easy question to answer as it is an amalgam of numerous bits and bobs: The first five foot of it was once the chemist counter from Blakelys Chemist in Cross St Ryde.

<img height=573 src="images-Orrery/CAFE%20EXTERIOR_2007.jpg" width=394 border=3 alt="The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.">

We have extended it by a further 11 feet using all manner of reclaimed mahogany, including an old wardrobes etc.

<img height=573 src="images-Orrery/CAFE%20EXTERIOR_2007.jpg" width=394 border=3 alt="The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.">

The tier shelf that displays some Greaves & Thomas globes was once a circular filing cabinet for a marine company in London.

<img height=573 src="images-Orrery/CAFE%20EXTERIOR_2007.jpg" width=394 border=3 alt="The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.">

The white marble counter, which keeps the pastries cool, was once the marble facade of an office block in London.

<img height=573 src="images-Orrery/CAFE%20EXTERIOR_2007.jpg" width=394 border=3 alt="The Orrery cafe is located at 15 Union st ryde, it has a very fine planetarium of our solar system which is geared so that the planets all orbit the sun , the cafe is theemed with Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking Glass art work on the cafe walls, but why do you ask this? whay would a planetarium have images of a known childrens book on the walls and ceiling? This is because of a recent theory that convincingly shows that Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), used the known constellations of the nights sky as inspiration for their Alice Books. So this is why Alice and friends have taken up residence in the Orrery Cafe in Ryde! The cafe is Vegetarian, and there are other Alice related items to be found when you visit the cafe, the floor is a giant chess board, which true to form get smaller when you decend the spiral staircase to the basement floor, here the tiles shrink, and upon entering the two loos, they shrink yet again, also when decending the Orrery staircase one passes a large light which looks like a giant jar of marmalade. The cafe is the first stage of converting a derelict building which has been vacant for many years and it is our hope to transform the whole building into a fun globe museum with one of the largest optical illusions in the country. The planetarium is over 16 ft diameter and is best viewed through the 8 mirrored top tables actually reveal 8 far finer plaetariums by looking through the tables a far superior vantage point of the Orrery's planetariums. Thank you for your interest, we hope one day you might consider journeying across the Solent so that you can see the Orrery first hand.">

Lastly the 4 fine carved mahogany details were kindly given to me by my next door neighbour several years ago, she knew of my plans for a museum, and thought they would be useful, when asked where she found them, she informed me that her husband loved looking in old empty buildings and found these one day. A few months later I found an early picture of the inside of 15 Union street when it was Mr Bishops Wine Merchants, here the 4 Mahogany details can be clearly seen and my neighbour was in fact returning them back to the building after over 50 years of safekeeping!

 

Q: In the Orrery, the planetarium is being held by a arm, who does this belong to?

A: Well if you know your Alice, you would know how important the Red King is, he holds all together for Alice and company, so for this reason we thought we would ask him to insert his arm through into the cafe universe and hold our planetarium, otherwise due to the rigid laws of reality the whole thing would fall crashing down onto staff and customers. We were delighted that he accepted, amazing that he can do this while dreaming of Wonderland!

 

Q: I see in the Orrery, you stock some of the smaller Greaves & Thomas globes, do you also sell the larger ones they make?

A: Sorry no room big enough presently as some of their globes are over 6 feet high! - possibly when the Great Hall beyond the cafe reopens, the best way is to view the Greaves & Thomas website and once you have made your mind up or have any questions you are best advised to email them, their website is their best info point as they have not produced a catalogue for many years.

 

Q: Does the Orrery intend to open in the evenings?

A: Yes it is our intention, however as Union St can be a bit of a riot at times, we are contemplating setting up a small club aptly named 'The Brillig' : Monday: Once a month Guest Speaker. Tuesdays: Ladies only night. Wednesdays: Traditional Games Night. Thursdays: Big Chill. Fridays: Social Saturdays: Social Sunday: Banquet once a Month...... but presently we are busy enough with London commitments so for the mean time no firm decision has been made.

 

Q: Why is there a Giant Grasshopper on the top of the building?

A: A long time ago a Grasshopper helped a musician win a competition despite the fact one of his lute strings broke, the insect landed on the sound box of the lute and started strumming its legs, the sound amplified by the sound box of the lute was so entrancing (must have sounded like modern techno music!) that it enthralled the audience and the musician then won the prize. So the grasshopper won the day by creating an illusion, consequently we have placed a grasshopper above the Orrery entrance incase you find fault with our effort, then we hope the grasshopper will once again step in and save the day.

However a bald headed coot will always try to eat grasshoppers if they can!

Find more about this beautiful ancient story here http://www.globemakers.com/hidden_meaning.html

 

Q: Are you intending to sell alcohol?

A: Yes we are presently looking into selling wines and bottled beers, for both the possible club in the evening and also for during the day. These will be Island Beers and Vegetarian Wines.

 

Q: Are there any other Alice items in the cafe?

A: Well yes there are some more items you may be interested in, as you know the tables are glass topped, but the floor has also has been chequered like the looking glass chess board, and just like Alice if you decend to the basement, the tiles shrink, and shrink again if you then enter one of the two loos. Also as you descend the spiral staicase, which many people have referred to as "going down the rabbit hole", you will find a large jar of marmalade being used as an uplighter. Look out for a large plush sofa complete with the singing flowers......

Lastly if you bring a child or a group of children with you to sample the cafe fare, they will be more than welcome to hunt for Father William's eel, which is hidden somewhere in the cafe, the eel is about 6" long and if they succeed in finding the said eel, they are entitled to a caramel bar without charge. We will add further Alice items as time moves on...

 

Thank you for your interest!

 

 

Any more questions?: info@theorrery.co.uk

 

On the 7th of January Kerry Ashmore visited the Orrery and kindly posted this review

http://www.veggieheaven.com/guide/ryde.html

Thank you Kerry!

 

On the 13th of February we were kindly reviewed by Amytheduck following 2 trips to the Orrery http://travel.ciao.co.uk/The_Orrery_Cafe__Review_5631596

Thank you Amy!

 

Between November and January, island photographer Auntie P, took some stunning images of the Orrery which can be seen on her Flicker page

http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntiep/sets/72157594220720591/with/207386425/

Thank you Auntie P they way surpass our efforts!

 

If you are interested in the

Great Planetary Treasure Hunt .....

CLICK HERE !!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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