ISLE OF WIGHT PUBS: THE THREE WATERING HOLES OF WROXALL

The quiet downland village of Wroxall has never had more than 3 licensed premises in its history – but sadly none of them are open for a pint today.

The name ‘Wroxall’ derives from ‘wroc’ meaning buzzard, and the whole word possibly means ‘buzzard’s nook’. The village was described as ‘Wrocceseale’ in 1035 and then as ‘Warocchesselle’ in the Domesday Book.

Wroxall expanded greatly in the 19th century with the coming of the railway to the village. Many of the houses in the main street were originally built to accommodate the workmen who were tunnelling from Wroxall to Ventnor through the downs.

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Though many of the retail facilities in Wroxall have long since disappeared, the village was self-sufficient at one time with 3 bakers, a blacksmith’s forge and a sizeable bacon factory.

Wroxall Station Hotel Bar

The Wroxall Station Hotel Bar was 1 of only 2 refreshment sites where it was possible to buy an alcoholic drink on the Isle of Wight railway network (the other was at Ryde Pier Head).

It was part of Wroxall Hotel, which had been built by Mr Grant in the 1870s. The bar opened directly onto the platform. The 2-storey hotel still stands but has now been converted into flats.

The Station Hotel Bar sadly closed in 1966 when it was decided that the Isle of Wight Railway would terminate in Shanklin rather than at Ventnor.

The Worsley

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The Worsley – that stood derelict for over a decade – has now sadly been demolished.

The place of the pub will now be taken by 6 residential units – chalet bungalows and houses.

The Worsley has had a somewhat curious history. It was originally built in Victorian times as a rectory for the village church. Then, in the early 20th century, it became the home of Benedictine monks. Troops were later billeted in the former rectory. It then became the Oakhill Country Club.

The pub opened on 30th April 1970. The name ‘Worsley’ had been selected from 16 entrants and chosen by the brewers – Whitbreads – who had taken over the Mew, Langton and Strong breweries.

The name ‘Worsley’ was considered appropriate because of the connection between the famous Isle of Wight family – the Worsleys of Appuldurcombe House – and the village of Wroxall. Sir William Worsley – father of the Duchess of Kent – was approached and consented to give his name and the family coat of arms on the inn sign.

‘The Worsley had fine downland views of the surrounding countryside and of Appuldurcombe House. It had a wonderful garden containing some splendid trees – including a monkey puzzle tree.

The Worsley shut its doors after some 40 years in 2013. It then became something of an eyesore in the very centre of the village.

In 2023, Wroxall residents Loraine Parsons and Anne Rendell started a petition asking for action to be taken against the building’s owners. Complaints concerning the derelict building included its use by a homeless person and a plague of rats infesting the shell of the former public house.

Ryde Demolition began work to demolish the Worsley in January 2025.

The Star Inn

The Star Inn is Wroxall’s last pub standing.

However, it has not been open since the Spring of 2025.

The Star has been trading under different names over the years. It has also been called the Four Seasons before being rebranded as the The Star JD Bar and now Smokin’ Jack’s.

The ambition of the current owners has been to create an authentic American bar experience, from how the bar looks to the food they serve. Smokin’ Jack’s has boasted of the largest range of Jack Daniel’s on the Island.

The Star has been the scene of reported paranormal activity. In September 2018, the pub’s CCTV recorded a glass falling from a shelf with no visible means of propulsion. Two further incidents subsequently occurred over the Christmas period of that year, leading to investigations by 3 psychic researchers.

Other unexplained events have included a chef’s service bell apparently ringing, despite no food being ready to be served; staff members hearing their name called out when alone in the building; reports of figures moving past alcoves and doorways, even when no one was there.

A former employee who worked there over a decade ago said:

“If I was in the restaurant alone, I’d be convinced that my boss was pottering around, as I’d see figures moving past the alcoves and doorways until she appeared from upstairs and hadn’t been downstairs at all.

“When meals were ready to be served the chef would ring a bell – on numerous occasions we’d go rushing out the kitchen after hearing the service bell, for him to look confused because he’d never rung it, and there was no food to be taken out.“

Another stated:

“I always felt a presence when there. It was really eerie at times, and when I used to lock up I heard my name being called out, although all the customers had left, the doors were locked, and there was no one about except myself. There is definitely something there.”

The front bar of the Star is said to be over 200 years old. It is not believed to have been the scene of any major tragedies, although it was the scene of a serious fire in the 80s and was nearly destroyed by a falling bomb in World War II.

Do you know any tales of Wroxall pubs past and present? Let us know in the comments…