About The Parish of Freshwater

Freshwater is situated in the west of the Isle of Wight, an island off the southern coast of England not far from Southampton, click HERE for a map.

The Parish originally consisted of five “tuns”, or farms, Norton, Sutton, Easton, Weston and Middleton; these names are still in use, except for Sutton, which has become Freshwater Bay or “Gate”.

The ancient Barrows on nearby Brook Down and the Saxon relics at All Saints’ Church, show a continuity of habitation in the area over many years.

The Parish Council was established in 1894 following the introduction of the Local Government Act.

The Parish is now a thriving rural community with a population of almost 5,400. The economy is mainly agricultural and tourism based with a small number of manufacturing and service companies.

The village has a Post Office in the large Co-Operative supermarket. There is also a sports centre which is the West Wight Sports and Community Centre. Click here to visit their website.

There are two small supermarkets and enough other businesses to make the village almost self-sufficient.