Merston
Merston (meres-tun - the farm in the marsh) is a rambling village in the centre of the Island. It was unfortunate in losing a handy form of transport when the closing of the railway line between Sandown and Newport removed Merston Junction from the map. The manor, held before the Conquest by one Brictuin, seems to have been quite a small holding; it must have been considerably increased over the centuries.
Merston Manor, lying tucked away on the old road from Longdown, is a Jacobean House of peaceful charm, built - unusually for an Island manor - of beautiful deep red brick. Edward Cheke, who married Eleanor Oglander in 1680, was responsible for the present house which has known scarcely any alteration except the bays, which were thrown out in 1850-60, relieving the rather severe Jacobean elevation.
At one time a windmill was in use on the estate for pumping water as well as grinding corn, but this was blown down in 1954.
Great Budbridge, also off the beaten track, is a picturesque house much enhanced, according to Stone, by the pond which reflects the north front in its shallow waters. Henry de Botebrigg was the holder in the reign of Henry III, and later the Urry family came into possession. Sir John Oglander, that indefatigable historian, records that at one time Richard Cook, the Captain of Sandham (Sandown) Castle, resided at Budbridge, and was "a brave fellowe came always to Arreton Church in his wrought velvet gowne, and 12 of his sowldiers with halibardes wayghted upon him".
Sir Robert Dillington bought the manor in 1633, and probably erected the present house, which has been much modernised.
