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Brighstone
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Additional Information
Brighstone Village is one of the villages along what is
called the ‘Back of the Wight’, and together with it's near neighbour
Brook, lie on the sunny side of the chalk downs that run east-west across
the centre of the Island forming it's backbone.
Brighstone is undoubtedly one of the prettiest villages on
the Island, full of old-world charm. It provides a backcloth of beauty for
country lovers. Breathtaking views of sweeping downs and wooded glades,
along with a stunning coastline (the sea is only three quarters of a mile
away) can be seen from the high points on the surrounding downland.
Brighstone has an interesting church, a good pub and a
very pleasant tea garden.
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The sea is
about 20 minutes walk and about 5 minutes drive to Brighstone Beach, or
Compton Bay, a favourite bay for windsurfing, is about another 10 minutes
drive further west.
Brighstone Down and Forest is a short drive away from Moortown Cottage,
or, if you are fit, about a 25 minute walk. Brighstone Down is one of the
highest points on the island and gives you a complete view of the west end
of the Isle of Wight and across the sea to the mainland.
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Brighstone Beach |
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The Three
Bishops Public House |
Eating Out
The Three Bishops public house in the village is 6 minutes walk from
Moortown Cottage and the Countryman is just outside the village, about a 20
minute walk away. Both have a reputation for good food.
Back in
1973,the Three Bishops Inn was renamed in honour of the three rectors of
Brighstone church who went on to be appointed bishops. Prior to this it had
been known as the New Inn.
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As long ago
as 1797 this inviting old hostelry was recorded as "providing an appetising
and satisfying breakfast". Today, the inn offers a lot more than breakfast,
- there's a full restaurant menu of delicious home made food, bar snacks and
daily specials, complemented by superb traditional ales, including a choice
of 4 real ales. The spacious restaurant, (with a no-smoking area), can cater
for up to 134 people and outside there's a very extensive beer garden. The
licensee reckons that "there's definitely something special in the air at
Brighstone" and they've definitely created something special at The Three
Bishops.
Food: Available every lunchtime & evening.
Credit Cards: All major cards accepted except Amex.
Facilities: Large beer garden; function room; barbecue area; ample parking.
Entertainment: Live music most Saturday evenings. |
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Brighstone Church |
Local History.
The
outstanding building in the village is, of course, the Church which dates
back to 1190. The village is extremely proud that no less than three of its
former Rectors were consecrated bishops, and there is a pub in the village
aptly named "The Three Bishops".
A sense of history pervades in the village. In its notorious past, from the
13th century to the late l8OOs, many of the local inhabitants were wreckers
and smugglers.
Smuggling was one of the main "occupations" of the past, mainly brandy,
which was brought across the Channel from the Cherbourg Peninsula in great
secrecy, and smuggled ashore in sealed tubs and hidden under cottage floors
and in hay ricks to avoid discovery by the Revenue men. Moortown Cottage,
being about 300 years old, was used as one of these smuggler's stores.
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A change of heart saw the creation of a lifeboat crew at
Brighstone and nearby Brook, the first coxswain of the Brighstone boat being
the smuggler James Buckett, who had just completed five years compulsory
duty in the Navy as punishment for his crimes.
Neolithic (Stone Age) farming was on the Island around
3,000 BC. The Longstone at Brighstone is a Neolithic barrow marker. (A
barrow is a large grave, sometimes containing things like weapons and tools
for use in the after-life).
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Longstone Barrow Marker
Photo courtesy of
IW Index |
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Freshwater Bay & Tennyson Down |
Local Views.
All of these views can be seen from the summit of Mottistone Down which
is located above Moortown Cottage.
All views are within walking distance of your accommodation, but if you
wish you can drive your car to a free public car park about half way to
these views, leaving only a gentle climb to get to the summit.
Tennyson
Down is named after Lord Tennyson, the famous poet, who had a house at the
foot of this Down that is now a hotel.
Atherfield Ledge is a notorious part of the Isle of Wight and has resulted
in numerous ship wrecks on the rocks below. |
Chale &
Atherfield |
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Yarmouth
& The Mainland |
Newtown &
The Mainland |
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