Wroxall, Isle of Wight
Village on the Isle of Wight, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wroxall (also spelt Wroxhall)[3][4] is a village and civil parish[5] in the central south of the Isle of Wight, England. In 2021 the parish had a population of 1,709.[6] It is close to Appuldurcombe House,[7] and the parish church is St. John's Church.[8]
- Wroxall
| Wroxall | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
| |
  Wroxall Location within the Isle of Wight | |
| Area | 2.9 sq mi (7.5 km2) [1] |
| Population | 1,709 (2021, including some of Whitely Bank)[2] |
| • Density | 589/sq mi (227/km2) |
| OS grid reference | SZ550798 |
| Civil parish |
|
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | VENTNOR |
| Postcode district | PO38 |
| Dialling code | 01983 |
| Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| Ambulance | Isle of Wight |
| UK Parliament | |
Name
Its name means 'the nook of land or secluded hollow frequented by buzzards or other birds of prey', from Old English wrocc (genitive case wrocces) and h(e)alh.
1038-1044: Wroccesheale
1086 (Domesday Book): Warochesselle
1155-1160: Wroxala
1188-1189: Wrokeshale
1305: Wroxhale
The Wroxall Stream flows near and is named after the village.[4][13]
History
Before a railway was constructed, a wagonette was the main method of transport. Afterwards, a stagecoach ran from Godshill to Freshwater, with a change of horses at Brighstone.[11][14]
Many of the houses on the village's main road were built for the workmen who were tunneling to Ventnor through the downs to construct the railway.[11][14]
Two cottages in the centre may have been involved in smuggling.[11][14]
Much of the development of the village seemed to have happened during the Victorian era.[15][16][17]
There are 16 listed buildings in and around Wroxall.[18]
Geography
The village is surrounded by St Martin's Down, Littledown, Span Down and Stenbury Down.[11][14] It is located on chalk downland.[19]
Current transport
Bus services operated by Southern Vectis link the village with the towns of Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor, as well as intermediate villages and hamlets.[20]
