Our communities
Seaview
Seaview is a small village which is popular with families and sailors particularly during the summer months. The main village street leads down to the sea shore with pretty stone Victorian cottages. No where is very far from the sea and many of the houses are elevated with good views. The view of the Solent is spectacular and provides a wonderful array of passing ships and sailing vessels. The village has a number of shops including a wonderful community general store, pub, hotel, cafe, church and the renown Hersey Nature Reserve. There are several sandy beaches and lots of water based activities during the summer. The village is three miles along the shore from Ryde where you can get ferries to the mainland. It is a great location to enjoy a family holiday or from which to explore the Island.
Brading
Brading is the oldest historic town on the Isle of Wight which was once an important harbour until the Victorians drained the marshes and built the railway to Bembridge. The southern half of the parish is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which includes Brading Down with ancient downland and spectacular views over Culver Down and Sandown Bay. The town has several historic points of interest including the Bull Ring, the Old Town Hall, St Mary's Church, Nunwell House and Brading Roman Villa. The town has various shops and cafes, an auctioneer and four pubs. There are good links to Ryde and Sandown from Brading Railway Station and the town is well served by Southern Vectis buses. To the east of the town is the renown Brading Marshes Nature Reserve of mixed lagoons and ditches, reed beds, meadows and ancient woodland. There are over 70 footpaths surrounding the town.
IEast Cowes is on the northern shore of the Island, on the east bank of the River Medina. It is linked to Cowes via the floating bridge. The town is the site of Norris Castle and Osborne House the former residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. East Cowes has excellent links to the mainland, with Red Funnel ferry and a good bus service to both Ryde and Newport. The Isle of Wight Coastal Path passes through the town.
East Cowes is part of a large development project which includes new housing and a new marina. The main industry is associated with the building and design of marine craft and materials associated with boat making.
The town has several shops including Waitrose, churches, museum, cafes and pubs. Cowes which is easily reached using the floating bridge over the river offers visitors a greater variety of restaurants and shops, and is world famous for it's sailing regatta in August.
Bembridge
Bembridge is one of the largest villages on the most eastern point of the Island. There are about 3,500 people living in Bembridge which is greatly increased in the holiday season. It is popular with families who enjoy the wonderful beaches which surround the village and with sailors who love visiting Bembridge Harbour. Bembridge has an award winning lifeboat station located close to the well known Bembridge Ledge and is open to visitors. The village has a number of shops, pubs and restaurants, a village hall, churches, a library and local museum. Nearby is Bembridge Windmill and Bembridge Airport serving light aircraft. Although it is good to bring your car if you want to explore the Island, there is a good bus service to Ryde, Sandown and Newport on Southern Vectis. Cycling and walking are popular activities. In the harbour there are plenty of water based activities including sailing, kayaking, motorboating and windsurfing. Bembridge Fort is at the entrance of the harbour and is well known for the Fort Walk which happens once a year when people can walk around the Fort for a short time when the tide is at it's lowest from the seashore.
