Bembridge

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Bembridge
Bembridge Lifeboat Station
Bembridge shown within the Isle of Wight
Population	3,567
OS grid reference	SZ643882
Unitary authority	Isle of Wight
Ceremonial county	Isle of Wight
Region	South East
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BEMBRIDGE
Postcode district	PO35
Dialling code	01983
Police	Hampshire
Fire	Isle of Wight
Ambulance	Isle of Wight
European Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Isle of Wight
List of places: UK • England • Isle of Wight

Coordinates: 50°41′23″N 1°05′20″W / 50.6897, -1.0889

Bembridge is a village and civil parish^[1] located on the easternmost point of the Isle of Wight. It had a population of 3,848 according to the 2001 census of the United Kingdom, leading to claims by residents that Bembridge is the largest village in England. The mean age of the population is 50 years old.

Bembridge is a local service centre, hosting both a primary and middle school (see Education on the Isle of Wight for more information), a post office, several shops, a local airport (with concrete runway), and Catholic, Methodist and Anglican Churches. It is also the location of a local fire station, (crewed by a team of retained firemen), and a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboat station.

The RNLI station is particularly significant, as extending into the sea to the east of the village lies the notorious "Bembridge ledge", a large rocky outcrop which poses a major threat to passing boats. Although it is private sailing yachts which are most at risk, a wide variety of boats commonly run aground here, especially in the often stormy weather conditions which affect the Solent during winter months.

Close to the lifeboat station lies a coastguard outlook. Positioned at a high elevation this offers views of the Solent meeting the English Channel to the east of the Isle of Wight. From this vantage point one is able to view a variety of watercraft year round, although there is more marine traffic in the summer. Adjacent to the coastguard outlook is the Crab & Lobster pub, popular for its locally-caught seafood. Other popular seafood locations around Bembridge include Baywatch On The Beach and The St. Helens Restaurant.

Public transport to Brading, Newport, Ryde and Sandown is provided by Southern Vectis bus routes 10 and 14.^[2]^[3]

Bembridge Windmill, the only remaining windmill on the Isle of Wight is located to the west of the village. Dating from around 1700, it is a National Trust property generally open from April to October.

The Britten-Norman aircraft factory is located near Bembridge.