Wootton and Fishbourne

Isle of Wight

Old postcards are sometimes poorly produced and grainy, I've done my best to scan them. Please click thumbnails for larger picture. Dates are from the card or my estimate (where possible). The manufacturer of the card is shown in brackets (where available).

Wootton

"…… we soon arrive at FISHBOURNE, a small collection of small huts at the month of Fishbourne Creek, or, as it is more commonly called, WOOTTON RIVER. At high water— for the river is tidal as far as Wootton Bridge—the scene from this point is by no means devoid of beauty. The sloping banks are fringed with oak-copses, whose pendent branches are pleasantly reflected in the lucent waves shimmering beneath; which, above the causeway, broaden into an ample and tranquil lake. The high road from Ryde to Newport crosses the creek at WOOTTON BRIDGE (Inn: The Sloop). A new bridge has recently been constructed here, and the approaches, which were awkward, have been very much improved.

WOOTTON (i.e. Wood-town) contains 524 acres. Population in 1861, 79. The rectory, valued at £240, is in the gift of F. White Popham, Esq."

Black's Guide to the Isle of Wight, 1870

Wootton Church, about 1910. The church is of Norman origin. Peacock)

Wootton Bridge looking east, 1905. (Garden Isle)

This colourful picture shows the creek looking

towards Wootton Bridge around 1905. (Faulkner)

Wootton Bridge around 1925, the bridge, not shown

on the postcard, it is to the right.

Houseboats moored on the east side of Wootton Creek about 1960. (Frith)

Described as Wootton 'Silent and clear' dated 1912. (Bagwell)

Wootton Creek looking from Lakeside (recently reopened) across Wootton Bridge towards the Solent. Dixon card probably from the 1970's. (Dixon)

Woodside Bay, Wootton, at the west of Fishbourne Creek, this was formerly home to a large Holiday Camp, 1958. (Paterson)

Little Canada holiday camp, on the west side of Wootton Creek. As the name suggests, it was themed like Canada, there were log cabins and named after Canadian provinces. It is now a children's activity centre. (KB Printers)

Another view of Little Canada, reflecting the Canadian theme from about 1960. (Valentine)

For more information about Wootton and its history see the Wootton Bridge Historical site

Fishbourne is an attractive village on the east side of Wootton Creek, which has become one of the main entry points to the Island.

Fishbourne Green, 1905.

Fishbourne Shore, 1908.

"The village of Fishbourne requires the tide to be in to show it to advantage. It is then still a very pretty spot, though somewhat modernized since the institution of the motor car ferry between here and Portsmouth.....

....slipways enable cars to be conveniently shipped by their own power on to specially constructed boats, obviating the necessity of lifting. Driver and passengers may remain in their car during the crossing.

Charges:

Not exceeding 10ft long,	15s. single, 27s. 6d. return
10-14ft long,	22s. single, 36s. 6d. return
over 14ft long,	32s. single, 54s return
Passengers,	1s. 5d. single

Ward Locks Guide to the Isle Wight around 1930

Looking down the slipway at Fishbourne ferry terminal, said to be 1938.

An unidentified ferry at Fishbourne ferry terminal, probably the same date.

Wootton and Fishbourne

Isle of Wight

Black's Guide to the Isle of Wight, 1870

Ward Locks Guide to the Isle Wight around 1930

17 August 2010