Parkhurst, Isle of Wight
Parkhurst | |
---|---|
Location within the Isle of Wight | |
Population | 5,047 (2011 ward)[1] |
OS grid reference | SZ491910 |
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | NEWPORT |
Postcode district | PO30 |
Dialling code | 01983 |
Police | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Fire | Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
Ambulance | Isle of Wight |
UK Parliament | |
Parkhurst is a neighbourhood northwest of the town of Newport, Isle of Wight. It has few amenities, but a large residential population.
It is notable for housing H.M.P. Isle of Wight, on three sites, formerly three separate prisons: the well-known Parkhurst Prison itself, Camp Hill, and Albany. Parkhurst and Albany were once amongst the few top-security prisons in the United Kingdom but were downgraded in the 1990s.[citation needed]
A number of well-known criminals were accommodated in the Parkhurst prisons, including John Duddy, Graham Young, the Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe and the Kray twins.[citation needed]
The prisons caused the construction during the mid 20th century of housing estates to accommodate prison workers and their families, and much of the area is characterised by these poor-quality estates, now largely in private ownership but still in need of repair. [citation needed]
Parkhurst also adjoins Parkhurst Forest, a large Forestry Commission owned woodland which includes plantation woodland and a large area of ancient woodland, and is well used by local people for recreation.
Parkhurst is situated on the A3020 road and is served by frequent buses on Southern Vectis route 1.
Notable people
[edit]- Clara Rousby, actress, was born here around 1850.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Newport Ward population 2011". Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900. .
The family name Parkhurst originated with the family named after the town they lived in. Which in this case was the town of Parkhurst when was still Norman