Seaview Village
The village of Seaview is on the North East coast of the Isle of Wight, about 4 miles to the west of Ryde. There are two roads into the village. One, from Ryde, follows the coast, the other road is a spur off the road that connects St Helens to Ryde as it runs through the village of Nettlestone. The population of the parish of Seaview and Nettlestone is around 2,700. But judging the population is tricky, for in August the population surges as the summer visitors enjoy the very special delights the village has to offer.
Let's keep it brief... The Romans came to the Isle of Wight, as did the Vikings... and the Venerable Bede noted the Isle of Wight was the last place in the British Isles to receive Christianity... an early example of the Island always getting left behind the rest of the country!
William The Conqueror gave the Isle of Wight to the de Redvers family but in 1293 there were no male heirs left to continue the line and Lady Isabella de Fortibus (on her death bed) sold the Island back to the Crown for 6,000 Marks.
As for Seaview... the last invasion of England ocurred here! In July 1547, French soldiers came ashore trying to tease the English fleet out from Portsmouth Harbour but they were fought back by the local militia... this was the same action that saw the Mary Rose sink just off Seaview.
Seaview itself started to develop as a vibrant community in 1800 and since then the village has grown and prospered. Margaret Brandt, a local resident and Clerk to the Parish Council, has written a book called "The Story of Seaview" which will tell those interested all they want to know! Order your copy by telephoning "Bookworm" on 01983 612195.