Mason's Guide (1876) - St Lawrence

Taking the high road through Ventnor, the tourist will pass Steephill Castle, a large castellated mansion, placed on a commanding position, and surrounded by a richly wooded domain. The pleasant straggling village which is situated in a beautifully wooded dell, is one of the prettiest parts of the Undercliff. Several handsome villas have recently been erected here. By the roadside is a beautiful spring of pure water, known as St. Lawrence's Well where 'A little Gothic shrine consecrates a leafy dell. It is surmounted with a cross, and encloses a bright, spray-scattering stream which issues from a dolphin's mouth into a wide shell, and thence ripples away beneath the road to mingle with the sea.'- Adams. We are extremely sorry that this well, where so many pilgrims have quenched their thirst, should now be closed to the public. THE CHURCH OF ST. LAWRENCE, long considered as unique in its dimensions, and the smallest in the kingdom, no longer lays claims to such distinctions; for having become wholly inadequate to the accommodation of the parishioners, it has been enlarged. The former dimensions were 11ft 0.25 in. breadth; 11 ft. 4.25 in. high; 25 ft. 4.75 in. long. The present vicar is the Rev. C. Malden, M.A. NATIONAL COTTAGE HOSPITAL. - The foundation stone of the second pair of buildings in connection with the National Cottage Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of the chest, was laid in Her Majesty's name, by Her Royal Highness the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess Christian, July 28th 1869. The hospital is situated nearly two miles from Ventnor, on a site admirably adapted for the object, commanding a lovely view of both land and sea, altogether possessing advantages which are not to be surpassed by any in the Undercliff, and not to be equalled in any other part of the country. The whole design comprises eight blocks or pairs of cottages, a chapel, &c.

[Description(s) from Mason's Guide to the Isle of Wight (1876)]