- 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 StationBembridge is a village and
civil parish cite 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 theIsle of Wight . It had a population of 3,848 according to the 2001census of theUnited 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 thelargest 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 inEurope .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 aRoyal 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 anOscar 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
yacht s which are most at risk, a wide variety of boats commonly run aground here, especially in the oftenstorm y weather conditions which affect theSolent 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-caughtseafood .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 andSandown is provided bySouthern 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)]
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