Gurnard, Isle of Wight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gurnard |
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 Gurnard beachfront |
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 Gurnard
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| Area | 4.0863 km2 (1.5777 sq mi) |
| Population | 1,682 (2011 census including Rew Street) |
| • Density | 412/km2 (1,070/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | SZ478946 |
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| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | COWES |
| Postcode district | PO31 |
| Dialling code | 01983 |
| Police | Hampshire |
| Fire | Isle of Wight |
| Ambulance | Isle of Wight |
| EU Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament |
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Gurnard is a charming village and civil parish located on the beautiful Isle of Wight. It sits just two miles west of the busy town of Cowes. Gurnard is famous for its spot right on the edge of Gurnard Bay, which is a popular place for sailing, especially for the Gurnard Sailing Club.
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Discover Gurnard: A Coastal Village
Gurnard offers a mix of village life and coastal beauty. It's a great place to explore if you're visiting the Isle of Wight.
Exploring Gurnard's Main Street
When you visit Gurnard, you'll find its main street has a friendly feel. It features a local pub called the Portland Inn, where people can relax. There's also an office for Doughty Newnham Chartered Surveyors, which is a company that helps measure land and create maps. You'll also see a few shops and homes along the street.
The western part of Gurnard's beach is known as Gurnard Marsh. A small stream called "The Luck" flows through this area and eventually empties into The Solent, which is the strait of water separating the Isle of Wight from mainland England.
The History of Gurnard Fort
Long ago, around the year 1600, a fort known as Gurnard Fort was built on a high point along the coast, west of Gurnard Marsh. This fort was important for defending the area. However, over time, the land it stood on was washed away by the ocean. The remains of the fort were lost and forgotten for many years.
It wasn't until 1864 that the fort was rediscovered. This happened when a nearby Roman home was being dug up, and during that excavation, the forgotten Gurnard Fort was found again. It's a cool example of how history can be hidden and then found again!
Getting Around Gurnard
For transport, Gurnard used to have a bus service, route 32, that connected it to and from Cowes. This service was originally run by Wightbus and is now operated by Southern Vectis. However, there is no longer a direct bus service from Gurnard to Newport, Isle of Wight, which is the island's capital.
