Haunted Hosts

The Buddle Inn has a fascinating history stretching back to 1776 when the lease of what was then known as 'Bundle Place' was sold by the Lord of the Manor. A document from 1830 refers to it as 'Little Buddle or Bundle', and it became an inn sometime between 1830 and 1859, first being referred to as 'The Buddle Inn' in a will of 1859. The building originally started life as a simple barn in the 15th century, strategically positioned near the secluded bays of Castle Haven and Blackgang where smugglers would come ashore to stash their contraband. During the height of smuggling activity in the 18th century, the barn was converted into an inn, serving as a local watering hole popular with the smuggling community. The inn's location in Niton Undercliff, on the southernmost tip of the Isle of Wight, made it an ideal meeting point for those involved in the illicit trade. The unusual name 'Buddle' has been the subject of much speculation, with one popular theory suggesting it derives from the old English word 'Bothele', meaning a dwelling. The inn sits in an area of outstanding natural beauty, overlooking St Catherine's Lighthouse and offering spectacular views across the English Channel. The building retains many of its original features, including massive inglenook fireplaces, exposed timber beams, flagstone floors, and the unique feature of two slender tree trunks that stretch from floor to ceiling in the smaller bar, giving the impression that the room was built around them.