Whippingham
Whippingham, recorded as Witingeham in Domesday Book, possibly means the homestead of Wippa, who may have been a Jutish invader.
There was a Church here from very early times, and the living must have been a profitable one as it was one of those given to the Abbey of Lyra in Normandy. Little remains of the ancient stonework, as the famous architect, John Nash, demolished the old Church in order to build a new one. Nash's design seems to have been unusual, to say the least, for a later architect, Percy Stone, scathingly remarks that it was no wonder the Prince Consort had it pulled down! However, the present rather highly decorated building, which was the Prince Consort's own design, might also be considered out of place.
Whippingham was, of course, completely altered by the coming of Queen Victoria and her husband to Osborne House. The Church was rebuilt; a school and cottages with excellent gardens and orchards provided for the estate workers; and farm-houses built in the neighbourhood, all in the Prince's characteristic design. The school must have been the "last word" in its time, as it had a huge playground; wash-basins with running water (even if it was only cold); and, wonder of wonders, a row of flush lavatories! The cottage front gardens were kept planted by the royal gardeners, so that they always presented a charming appearance.
After the Queen's death, Osborne was for some time a College for Naval Cadets; this is recalled by the lane called Cadets' Walk, which led down to their boats on the river. Now the part of the house not on view to the public is a Convalescent Hospital for the Services. In the district is the manor of Barton, where there was a dwelling as early as the 9th century. In 1275 it was an Oratory upon which John de Insula bestowed the very extensive lands of Barton. After the Dissolution it again became a dwelling, and Sir John Oglander describes it as "very ancient and moated round, with a drawbridge, and a Church converted to a barn". The south and east portions of the present building are Jacobean, the rest was pulled down and much altered by the Prince Consort. Three blocked lancet windows in the south-east wing are thought to have been part of the Oratory.
The round stone over the entrance is said to have been discovered in the grounds by Queen Victoria; it bears the words "Pax vobiscum".
Barton Farm was used by the Prince Consort, under most able and scientific guidance, to foster experimental farming. The thin, poor soil was brought to a high state of fertility, and a competent authority stated that "it is the farm which any unprejudiced person would select as ... exhibiting features to which all good husbandry will sooner or later conform".
Near Barton Wood is a copse which is still known as Money Coppice. This dates back to the reign of Charles I, when Osborne (which was then a house known as Austerbourne) belonged to a certain Eustace Mann. During the troubles of the Civil War, he was said to have buried a hoard of gold and silver in the copse, which he was never able to find again.
