Mottistone Explained

Official Name:Mottistone
Country:England
Region:South East England
Coordinates:50.6518°N -1.4277°W
Hide Services:Yes
Static Image:St Peter and St Paul's Church, Mottistone, IW, UK.jpg
Static Image Caption:Mottistone Church

Mottistone is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Brighstone, on the Isle of Wight, England. It is located in the popular tourist area the Back of the Wight.[1] It is located 8 miles southwest of Newport in the southwest of the island, and is home to the National Trust's Mottistone Manor. In 1931 the parish had a population of 114.[2] On 1 April 1933 the parish was abolished and merged with Brighstone.[3]

History

The Island's only megalithic monument, the Longstone is situated nearby. The name Mottistone (the Speaker's or pleader's stone) almost certainly derives from the Longstone, which was used as a meeting place (or "moot-stone") in Anglo-Saxon times.

Geography

Mottistone Down is a Site of Special Scientific Interest north of Mottistone, and covering 31.4ha; it adjoins the Brighstone Down, the central part of the ridge. Most of the area is owned by the National Trust, including the manor, down and cottages, and is biologically important due to its chalk and neutral grasslands.

Today

Public transport is provided by Southern Vectis buses on route 12.

The church of St Peter and St Paul's hosts part of an annual Christmas Tree festival (the Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival) that has become very popular.

References

Notes and References

  1. http://www.backofthewight.net{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  2. Web site: Population statistics Mottistone CP/AP through time. A Vision of Britain through Time. 1 April 2023.
  3. Web site: Isle of Wight Registration District. UKBMD. 1 April 2023.