ISLE OF WIGHT PUBS: THE 4 WATERING HOLES OF NORTHWOOD AND THE INTERESTING TALES BEHIND THEM

Northwood – which until the start of the 20th century was an agricultural community and mainly consisted of fields – once boasted 4 pubs, 2 of which happily remain to this day. The village – which has also been spelt Northwede and North Wode – at one time was a wooded area extending from the Medina to Newtown, to the north of Parkhurst Forest. The name ‘Northwood’ has been used since 1364. It became a separate community to Cowes in 1894 when the town to the north was taken out of the parish of Northwood. Before the 20th century, most of the land in the area was owned by the wealthy Ward family, owners of Northwood House (hence Ward Avenue). In the late 19th century, the buildings of Northwood consisted of 4 blacksmiths and 4 brickworks, together with the local farms. There were 3 little clusters of dwellings: Chawton Lane (around the church), Tinkers Lane (now Pallance Road) and Furzyhurst (near the school). The 20th century bought industry to the area, with Somerton Airfield being built in World War I, Vectis Bus company putting its base there in the 1920s, the production of Enfield electric cars in the 70s, and BAE Systems today (previously Decca Radar, Plessey Radar and Siemens). Northwood’s sparse pre-20th century rural population of no more than a few hundred required as many as 4 pubs to satiate their thirst; today’s 2,000 plus suburban residents – together with the parishes’ industrial workers – need only 2.

Horseshoe Inn (Newport Road)

This pub has been the centre of village life for at least 3 centuries. Before the suburbanisation of the countryside around Northwood, it was the only building in its vicinity, dominating the landscape. It is the oldest non-secular building in Northwood unconnected with agriculture. It has continuously served the local community since at least 1729.

The complex in which the Horseshoe stood once contained a blacksmiths, a vital part of any community before the coming of the motor car. It also included the village well, which was uncovered during a 1975 renovation. The well can still be seen through a glass panel in the floor of one of the bars. The pub is famous for an an encounter between escaped Parkhurst prisoner George Jackson and a former landlord – ex-Royal Navy Petty Officer Arthur Harwood – shortly after the end of World War II. On the morning of 20th June 1946, Harwood went downstairs to investigate a noise to be confronted by ex-commando ‘the Fox’ Jackson, who was armed with an axe. Jackson was recaptured in Arreton 8 days later after 11 days on the run.

Travellers Joy (Pallance Road)

The Travellers Joy dates back for over 2 centuries. Pallance Road was once known as Tinker’s Lane, and the alehouse served thirsty travellers and tinkers crossing the Luck on their way to Newtown (once a thriving port).

The alehouse was situated in a row of thatched cottages and apparently moved from one cottage to another in past times. It is first mentioned in 1799 when a William Pope was said to have been born there. The pub is famous for a Mynah bird getting its darts team banned. This happened when the landlord’s pet recited Humpty f***ing Dumpty and other expletive-filled nursery rhymes during a match against the Horseshoe team, with the ensuing uproar forcing the Travellers Joy’s opponents to abandon the game.

Flower Pot (Newport Road)

The Flower Pot was built in 1699, although it is not known when it first became a pub. However, the building was selling alcohol at the start of the 19th century. The former pub had a chequered history. In 1885, the landlord – William Marshall – got into trouble for selling beer during prohibited hours (10:45 in the morning). When a Police Constable came to investigate, Marshall attempted to offer him a £1 bribe not to report this. The landlord was fined £2 with 9s costs and lost his license.

Tragedy struck the Flower Pot during World War I. First, the license holders – who were of German birth but naturalized British subjects – were ordered to leave the district at the start of the war. 6 months later, the new landlord – Mr Cooley – lost his life on board HMS Hope, and the license was transferred to his widow, Ellen Cooley. Ellen lost both her husband and son in the war, and the Flower Pot was her only source of income. However, in 1922, it was decided that the pub was surplus to requirements, and the widow was forced to leave the premises despite having invested £100 in the property. The Flowerpot has been a private residence since that date.

Malt & Hops (Newport Road)

The Malt & Hops – standing on a bend and backing onto BAE systems – was a pub in the early 19th century. It is currently known as Myrtle Cottage.

The building was once a brewery as well as an alehouse. It was also said to have been a hippy commune in the 1960s. Do you know of any further pubs in the Northwood area or any stories associated with its pubs? Let us know in the comments…