Up until 1960, boating took place on the river and tea-gardens were very popular with local people, who came by train on excursions.

It was at one point a Mill held in 1086 by William I and previously by King Harold at the time of the Norman Invasion.

Alverstone Farm, situated to the east of the village, consists of a manor mentioned in the Domesday Book and other sandstone buildings of interest.

Prince Albert was instrumental in creating a 'model' brickworks in Alverstone in the middle of the 19th century (but that is a different 'Alverstone', east of Whippingham Isle of Wight, on the southern edge of QV's Osborne Estate).

The original wooden station was replaced with one built with earth and clinkers, with wood siding.