About Us

POTTED HISTORY OF NORTHWOOD

Cowes was in the Parish of Northwood until 1832, when St Mary’s Chapel separated from Northwood Church. In the following year, it became known as West Cowes. This explains why Northwood House is located in Cowes. It became a separate Parish in 1894. At the time, the Island was split into 31 Parishes. In 1895, the name was reduced to Cowes.

Following the Battle of Trafalgar, hulks – prison ships- were moored off Medham to house French Prisoners of War.

Much of the land in Northwood belonged to the Ward family, who leased out farms. The family built a number of houses for their staff, for example Rose Cottage, (now re-built with the same aspect), which was formally the home of the laundry lady. Sydney Cottage was that of one of the gardeners. Both dwellings are in Pallance Road.

​Pallance Road was formerly called ‘Tinkers Lane’. This reputedly emanates from the days when ships moored along the river, accessed from the Gurnard Luck, with cargoes of tin. The tin was shaped by the tinkers into pots and pans, and shipped away. While ploughing on Comforts Farm, many years ago, the remains of a timber wall – once the ‘dockside’ was found. There are many footpaths in the area, some being ancient rights of way. More recently a footpath has been established from Medham Lane to the Cowes-Newport cycle track which runs parallel to the River Medina.

​NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Northwood was created a Parish in 2007, with the first elections held in 2008. There are eight Councillors and meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month at Northwood Primary School, Wyatts Lane, Northwood at 6.30pm. The meeting of the Planning Committee is held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, at the same venue and again starting at 6.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend. The Agenda is published three clear working days before each meeting and is displayed on the Village Notice Board. Copies of any reports to be discussed can be obtained from the Parish Clerk.  The Minutes provide a summary of reports received from the local Cowes Neighbourhood Police Team, I.O.W. Councillor, Working Parties, the monthly Budget update, any Planning Applications, plus items of special interest.

The Parish Council plant and maintain the wonderful floral displays seen throughout the Village.

The Parish Clerk is Katie Riley who can be contacted on Tel 07772 950343, or Email

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​ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL

The Electoral Division (or Ward) of Cowes South and Northwood was formed in 2009. The ward member is Councillor John Nicholson, who was first elected in 2013. He also serves on Northwood Parish Council. He can be contacted on Tel 0791 8757843

NORTHWOOD COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

The Northwood Community Partnership was formed from an amalgamation of the Residents Association and Northwood Community Forum. A monthly social afternoon is held at the Village hall. Details can be found in the Northwood News.  Partnership meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday every other month, at the Travellers Joy, Pallance Road at 7.45pm. The Secretary is Eileen Turner-Palmerton on Tel 282242, or Email . The chairman is Mr John Pullen on Tel 641362 or Email pullenjd@hotmail.co.uk

​NORTHWOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Being a member means you are part of a nationwide initiative to help your community stay as you want it to be – safe, free from crime and somewhere you can enjoy a good quality of life. The Co-ordinator for Northwood is John Pullen Tel 641362 or Email

The Cowes Neighbourhood Police team is part of the West Wight area, it consists of two PC’s and 3 PCSOs and is led by Sgt. Justin Pringle. Contact is via Tel 0845 0454545.

​COMMUNITY SAFETY

The whole of Northwood is a ‘NO COLD CALLING ZONE’ which is designed to prevent rogue traders. Signs are available from John Pullen. Tel 641362, which can be attached to your property and will alert prospective unwanted callers. The scheme does not include religious callers or catalogue companies. Trading Standards have a list of trusted Island businesses called ‘Buy with Confidence’ which can be obtained by contacting Tel 821000.

​SCHOOLS

Northwood Primary School is located in Wyatts Lane, with the entrance opposite Oxford Street, and caters for children aged 5 to 11.  The head teacher is Sara Hussey, Tel 293392. There is a pre school unit on the same site, it accommodates children aged between 3-5.

Secondary education is provided by Cowes Enterprise College, Tel 203103, and is located in Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

​SPEED LIMITS

Please be aware of the various speed limits throughout the Village, especially in the vicinity of Northwood Primary School, Wyatts Lane. The Island’s Road Policing unit is very pro-active, making regular patrols in the area.

​PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Southern Vectis – Service No 1, Newport-Cowes-Newport, route splits at Northwood Garage. All buses go along Three Gates Road to the Park and Ride. Times are shown on the bus stops or on the Southern Vectis Website. http://www.islandbuses.info

Community Bus – Service 32, operates in Gurnard, Northwood and into Cowes via the Health Centre, on mornings, Tuesday to Saturday. The drivers are all volunteers. The vehicle is provided by Southern Vectis. Times can be found, as above.

​NORTHWOOD PARISH CHURCH

St John the Baptist (C. of E.) Church, Chawton Lane Northwood, The Priest in Charge is Rev’d Amanda Collinson, The Rectory, Chawton Lane, Northwood, PO31 8PR. Tel 294913 or Email:

Northwood News is the Parish Church newsletter and is delivered monthly to every house in the Village. Details of services can be found, together with events taking place and reports of Parish Council meetings. The editor is Peter Lambert, Tel 526385, or Email

They hold a free Community Coffee & Chat  on the second Thursday of the month in the Northwood Scout Hut, Wyatts Lane, Northwood between 2pm – 4pm

​FRIENDS OF NORTHWOOD CHURCH

Contact the Secretary of the Friends of Northwood Church, at 10 Wyatts Lane, Northwood, PO31 8QB

​FRIENDS OF NORTHWOOD CEMETERY

Contact the Secretary of the Friends of Northwood Cemetery, 194 Newport Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7PU. Tel 298445, Email Website: www.friendsofnorthwoodcemetery.org.uk

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