Bembridge

infobox UK place
country = England
map_type= Isle of Wight
latitude= 50.6897
longitude= -1.0889
official_name= Bembridge
population= 3,567
unitary_england= Isle of Wight
lieutenancy_england= Isle of Wight
region= South East England
post_town= BEMBRIDGE
postcode_district = PO35
postcode_area= PO
dial_code= 01983
os_grid_reference= SZ643882
constituency_westminster= Isle of Wight
static_

static_image_caption = Bembridge Lifeboat Station

Bembridge is a village and civil parishcite web | year = 2004 | url = http://www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/geographic_area_listings/downloads/EnglishParishes&WelshCommunities_N&C_2004.xls | title = English Parishes and Welsh communities N&C 2004 | publisher = www.statistics.gov.uk | accessdate = 2007-05-03] located on the easternmost point of the Isle of Wight. It had a population of 3,848 according to the 2001 census of the United Kingdom,cite web|url=http://www.town-guides.org/tgo/isle_of_wight/bembridge/population-overview.asp|title=Local area population and ethnicity - Bembridge on the Isle of Wight|publisher=www.town-guides.org|accessdate=2008-09-29] leading to claims by residents that Bembridge is the largest village in England,cite web|url=http://www.sunnycottcaravanpark.co.uk/places_to_stay_on_wight.htm|title=Places to stay on the Isle of Wight - Bembridge|publisher=www.sunnycottcaravanpark.co.uk|accessdate=2008-09-29] and occasional claims that it is the largest village in Europe.cite web|url=http://www.forelands.demon.co.uk/|title=The Forelands Homepage|publisher=www.forelands.demon.co.uk|accessdate=2008-09-29] The mean age of the population is 50 years old.

Bembridge is a local service centre, hosting both a primary and middle school (see Education on the Isle of Wight for more information), a post office, several shops, a local airport (with concrete runway), and Catholic, Methodist and Anglican Churches. It is also the location of a local fire station, (crewed by a team of retained firemen), and a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station.cite web|url=http://www.wightindex.com/town-guides-bembridge.asp|title=Wightindex - Bembridge Village Guide|publisher=www.wightindex.com|accessdate=2008-09-29]

One notable district is Lane End. It is largely composed of modern bungalows and a small shopping area which includes a Co-Op store. The lane comes to an end at the beach, where Bembridge Lifeboat station and the Bembridge Coast Hotel are situated. Formerly many of the bungalows were on the land of a cottage where Cecily Cardew lived,Fact|date=September 2008 after whom an Oscar Wilde character was named.

The RNLI station is particularly significant, as extending into the sea to the east of the village lies the notorious "Bembridge ledge", a large rocky outcrop which poses a major threat to passing boats.cite web|url=http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/484653|title=Geograph British Isles - Bembridge Ledge|publisher=www.geograph.org.uk|accessdate=2008-09-29] Although it is private sailing yachts which are most at risk, a wide variety of boats commonly run aground here, especially in the often stormy weather conditions which affect the Solent during winter months.

Close to the lifeboat station lies a coastguard outlook. Positioned at a high elevation this offers views of the Solent meeting the English Channel to the east of the Isle of Wight. From this vantage point one is able to view a variety of watercraft year round, although there is more marine traffic in the summer. Adjacent to the coastguard outlook is the "Crab & Lobster" pub, popular for its locally-caught seafood.cite web|url=http://www.crabandlobsterinn.co.uk/|title=Crab and Lobster Inn - Homepage|publisher=www.crabandlobsterinn.co.uk|accessdate=2008-09-29] Other popular seafood locations around Bembridge include Baywatch On The Beach and The St. Helens Restaurant.

Public transport to Brading, Newport, Ryde and Sandown is provided by Southern Vectis bus routes 10 and 14.cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.islandbuses.info/r10.shtml | title = Southern Vectis bus route 10 | publisher = www.islandbuses.info | accessdate = 2008-05-04] cite web | year = 2008 | url = http://www.islandbuses.info/r14.shtml | title = Southern Vectis bus route 14 | publisher = www.islandbuses.info | accessdate = 2008-05-04]

Bembridge Windmill, the only remaining windmill on the Isle of Wight is located to the west of the village. Dating from around 1700, it is a National Trust property generally open from April to October.cite web|url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-bembridgewindmill|title=National Trust - Bembridge Windmill|publisher=www.nationaltrust.org.uk|accessdate=2008-09-29]

The Britten-Norman aircraft factory is located near Bembridge.cite web|url=http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Bembridge.htm|title=Bembridge local Isle of Wight School Village located office|publisher=www.economicexpert.com|accessdate=2008-09-28]

References

External links

* [http://www.bembridge.com/ Community site for Bembridge]
* [http://www.btinternet.com/~rob.martin1/bem/home.htm The History of Bembridge Isle] , Rob Martin, October 2001, updated January 2004.
* [http://www.bartiesworld.co.uk/postcards/bembridge.htm Old pictures of Bembridge]
* [http://www.somerset3d.co.uk/logos%20&%20pictures/town%20&%20village%20pages/isleofwight/bembridge.html Photos of Bembridge in 3d (Anaglyphs)]