Pictures of Shorwell

About Shorwell

The pretty village of Shorwell, with its three handsome Manor Houses, lies cradled in a wooded valley beneath the bare downs. Of these gracious properties, only Northcote Manor occasionally opens up its magnificent grounds for visitors.

Shorwell is not a large village. It possesses only one piece of the essentials of village life - a post office, a church and an inn. The village church of St. Peter has a rich variety of treasures, including a 500-year old pulpit, a 15th-century wall painting, monuments and brasses. There are also several rare books, including two Bibles, one dates 1541 and the other, a Breeches Bible of 1579. This church is also unusual in that it has three Aisles.

Looking across from St. Peter's church you can easily see Northcote Manor, this enchanting house was built by Sir John Leigh in 1615. From its grounds rises the Shor Well, which is the source of a stream that flows behind the main village street and through the garden of the Crown Inn. Further on, this rippling stream passes Wolverton Manor, built in Elizabethan times and reputed to have a Ghost. The third Manor House is Westcourt. This grand house is 'E' shaped and was built at a cost of £800 in honour of Queen Elizabeth 1st. Westcourt is beautifully situated on a gentle slope of the Downs. Close-by is the village pond and the Crown Inn.

The countryside in these parts is very much gentle Downland and there are many enjoyable walks in and around this pleasant village. Several Thatched cottages, with creeping plants reaching up to pretty dormer windows, line the main village street, these provide a colourful contrast to the three distinctive Manor Houses.

Shorwell is well worth a visit. You can enjoy a hearty meal in the Crown Inn followed by a very pleasant wander on the Downs! If you wish to wander a little further, approximately about a mile south-west of the village, is Yafford Mill, whose wheel is turned by the waters of the Shor Well stream. The Mill, which was used until 1970 is now restored and on view to the public. Another interesting place to visit is the museum at Moortown. Whatever you choose to do, you are never far away from the wonderful sea breezes and dramatic coastline of this small island, which is an enchanting place to visit at any time of year.