Bonchurch is on the slopes of St Boniface down which is 'noblest height' on the Isle of Wight and is 787 feet above sea level. The village as well as the down are named after the Saxon saint who was from Devon and who educated in Hampshire before going to Germany to evangelise, he was later murdered at Dokkum.

Standing on what was a Saxon site the old church has a doorway that is thought to have been made up with the curved stones of a Norman archway, the door itself is studded with nails and is made of two layers of timber, and the altar rail is constructed from old roof beams. It is said that the first church on this site was founded by Boniface before he left the monastery of Nursling before leaving for Europe.

The new church which was given by the wife of James White of Punch can be found the grave of Elizabeth Sewell who children's stories were much read by children during the 19th century.

The church has six of its windows filled with old glass that depicts saints dressed in 15th century robes and were painted by Flemish artists. A little window that show St Edith is in memory of Edith Swinburne and its companion window is in memory of Admiral Swinburne, who with Edith were two of the church's greatest friends. The most famous member of their family being Algernon Charles the poet who now rests in the churchyard. The Swinburne grave is near to the path and is made of grey stone. The poet had a home at East Dene in a delightful white house that had trees as its background and the front graced by the wide sweep of the bay.

The village is renowned for the water bordering its street, this was once part of a garden owned by Mr H de Vere Stacpoole who was a novelist and there is an inscription to Margaret de Vere Stacpoole his wife.

Bonchurch's history is linked with many well known names, Macauley lived at Madeira Hall for a time (this is on the Ventnor road) and he would often be seen walking up the winding drive. Tennyson loved the area even though he was once accosted by some "ladies" who seized his coat and tore it into shreds. Harold Whitehouse the founder of Bembridge School gave the hilltop to the National Trust and name it Nansen Hill. This is a favourite camping spot for Scouts and Guides.

The village was also the birthplace of Sir Thomas Hopsonn, who later became a tailor's apprentice but later ran off to join the fleet. He was known as a resourceful person who earned swift promotion and for his courage he was knighted by Queen Anne.

Two other famous Victorian people also lie at rest in the graveyard of the old church, William Adams and John Sterling, the former being a writer and preacher who was well like on the island and lived at his house called Winterbourne. He is best known for his beautiful allegory, The Shadow of the Cross and an iron cross now casts a shadow over his grave.

John Sterling was an early Liberal and he was described as a remarkable man by all who knew him, but the sum of his achievements were not enough to make him famous.

Text courtesy of: Southern Life (UK)