Wootton

Wootton Creek - Picture taken by Joe Lever Wootton Creek has a very ancient history - it has been used as a waterway and port for thousands of years. The Romans landed cargo here; King Canute is said to have come ashore here; and the monks from nearby Quarr Abbey who owned the mill, had a fishery at the creek mouth.

From the earliest times there was a causeway across the creek and this, together with the presence of a mill, was the reason for the growth of the original settlement of Wootton. The group of houses clustered around the Sloop Inn are the oldest in the village and thought to be over 250 years old. In 1865 works were undertaken to improve the causeway and a new road was built bypassing the mill and the Sloop.

Today, the wider settlement of Wootton Bridge has crept slowly up either side of the valley away from its origins on the creek. It has become a very popular haunt for leisure yachtsmen, with several creekside businesses supporting a variety of maritime activities. The village also has a number of local shops, a scattering of pubs, a thriving community centre and is also home to the Island's steam railway.

A village guide and a heritage trail leaflet are available to help you explore the area more. Both these publications are available from the Community Centre in Mary Rose Avenue, off the High Street.

Mill Square
The main Newport to Ryde Road originally passed through what is now Mill Square and the Sloop Inn was a regular stop for stage coaches. A bakery belonging to the Cooper family - well remembered by local residents - was situated on the south side of the square.

Wootton

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