Pictures of England

Search:

Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Barrow from Sandscale Hawes in Early January

Barrow in Furness

in the county of Cumbria

Pictures of Shorwell

in the county of Isle of Wight

About Shorwell

The pretty village of Shorwell, with its three handsome Manor Houses, lies cradled in a wooded valley beneath the bare downs. Of these gracious properties, only Northcote Manor occasionally opens up its magnificent grounds for visitors.

Shorwell is not a large village. It possesses only one piece of the essentials of village life - a post office, a church and an inn. The village church of St. Peter has a rich variety of treasures, including a 500-year old pulpit, a 15th-century wall painting, monuments and brasses. There are also several rare books, including two Bibles, one dates 1541 and the other, a Breeches Bible of 1579. This church is also unusual in that it has three Aisles.

Looking across from St. Peter's church you can easily see Northcote Manor, this enchanting house was built by Sir John Leigh in 1615. From its grounds rises the Shor Well, which is the source of a stream that flows behind the main village street and through the garden of the Crown Inn. Further on, this rippling stream passes Wolverton Manor, built in Elizabethan times and reputed to have a Ghost. The third Manor House is Westcourt. This grand house is 'E' shaped and was built at a cost of £800 in honour of Queen Elizabeth 1st. Westcourt is beautifully situated on a gentle slope of the Downs. Close-by is the village pond and the Crown Inn.

The countryside in these parts is very much gentle Downland and there are many enjoyable walks in and around this pleasant village. Several Thatched cottages, with creeping plants reaching up to pretty dormer windows, line the main village street, these provide a colourful contrast to the three distinctive Manor Houses.

Shorwell is well worth a visit. You can enjoy a hearty meal in the Crown Inn followed by a very pleasant wander on the Downs! If you wish to wander a little further, approximately about a mile south-west of the village, is Yafford Mill, whose wheel is turned by the waters of the Shor Well stream. The Mill, which was used until 1970 is now restored and on view to the public. Another interesting place to visit is the museum at Moortown. Whatever you choose to do, you are never far away from the wonderful sea breezes and dramatic coastline of this small island, which is an enchanting place to visit at any time of year.

Recommended towns & villages near Shorwell

Carisbrooke Castle, on the Isle of Wight

Carisbrooke (23 Pictures) in the county of Isle of Wight

(3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction NE of Shorwell)

Carisbrooke sits close to Newport on the lovely Isle of Wight...

Queens Cottage, Godshill

Godshill (91 Pictures) in the county of Isle of Wight

(4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction E of Shorwell)

This is a gorgeous little spot which makes an ideal 'away from the crowds' location in which to sample peaceful Island life...

Cliffs at the Needles on the IOW

Newport (21 Pictures) in the county of Isle of Wight

(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction NE of Shorwell)

County Town, being sited on the River Medina, about 5 miles from the sea. Despite its name, the town became the 'New Port' and was given its charter by Richard de Revers, Lord of the Island, as early as 1180...

Freshwater Bay, Isle of Wight

Freshwater Bay (17 Pictures) in the county of Isle of Wight

(7.1 miles, 11.4 km, direction W of Shorwell)

Undulating countryside surrounds this beautiful place - it is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and as such attracts walkers and bird watchers as well as being a Mecca for surfers and yachtsmen...

Near Yarmouth, Isle of Wight

Yarmouth (27 Pictures) in the county of Isle of Wight

(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction NW of Shorwell)

A lovely old town with a pleasant deepwater harbour. Yarmouth, with its 'olde worlde' charm is definitely one of the jewels of this enchanting island resort...

All towns & villages in Isle of Wight
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

Carisbrooke Castle looking inwards

Carisbrooke Castle & Museum (28 Pictures)

(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction NE)

The castle is where the Roundheads kept King Charles I a prisoner from 1647 until shortly before his execution on 30 January.....

Appuldurcombe House, Wroxall, Isle of Wight

Appuldurcombe House (3 Pictures)

(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction E)

This marvellous, romantic ruin was once one of the finest 18th century mansions on the Isle of Wight. The building, in a.....

Yarmouth Castle, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.

Yarmouth Castle (5 Pictures)

(7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction NW)

This was the last great castle built as part of Henry VIII's fortifications against invasion of Britain by the French. .....

Osborne House. Isle of Wight

Osborne House (73 Pictures)

(8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction NE)

It is often said, in spite of the fact Queen Victoria spent much of her time at Balmoral in the Scottish highlands, that Osborne.....

Brading Roman Villa exterior

Brading Roman Villa (13 Pictures)

(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction E)

..

Quarr, Old Abbey ruins

Quarr Abbey (4 Pictures)

(9.0 miles, 14.6 km, direction NE)

The ruins of Quarr Abbey can be found close to the entrance of Wooten Creek, a pretty waterway used by small fishing boats and.....

The Needle

The Needles Park (30 Pictures)

(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction W)

The Needles Park is the Isle of Wight's premier visitor attraction and is situated at Alum Bay overlooking the Island's most.....


All attractions in Shorwell
All attractions in Isle of Wight
Complete A to Z of attractions in England