Dimbola Museum, Terrace Lane, Freshwater Bay - 01983 813813 email@wightsun.co.uk

Brighstone is the largest village in the area locally known as the Back of the Wight and extends toward Limerstone and Mottistone. In Roman times a villa was built to the north, to take advantage of the clean waters of the Buddle Brook.

Brighstone parish was formed in 1644. The civil parish comprises the main village of Brighstone together with the smaller villages of Brook, Hulverstone, Limerstone and Mottistone. The entire parish lies within an area of the Isle of Wight AONB and its coastline is designated as Heritage Coast and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

St. Mary's Church, Brighstone is a venerable old church that has stood for more than eight centuries. The village also features Brighstone Shop and Museum, owned by the National Trust, displaying exhibitions on village life in the 19th century and contains a wealth of information about the Brighstone lifeboats.

Brighstone is popular with tourists for its thatched cottages and local shops. Several large events are hosted in the village each year, including the Brighstone Show, Art exhibitions and the Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival. The local scout hut functions as a Youth Hostel during the summer.

The name derives from the Saxon name "Ecgbert's Tun" (farm enlosure).

Several chines, some with streams like the Buddle Brook (Grange Chine) lie along this coast.

Like most of the coast along the South-West of the Island, Brighstone Bay is suffering from coastal erosion.

Projecting out from this coast is one several ledges along the Back of the Wight. Brighstone Ledge has been the site of many shipwrecks as storms drive ships onto the hidden rocks.

The seabed is a mixture of mud, sand and shells. The beach is predominantly shingle.

The bay is best viewed from along the Isle of Wight Coastal Path which follows the whole bay along the cliff top.

Brighstone Holiday Centre