[1] It was built solely because of the need to have a station within reasonable proximity to Queen Victoria's Island residence Osborne House,[2] and it is known that Queen Victoria did use the station on at least one occasion, on 11 February 1888, when she travelled from Whippingham to Ventnor and back for the opening of the National Consumption Hospital there.

But with her usual kindness of heart and thoughtfulness for her humblest dependents, Queen Victoria soon saw what a boon it would be for the surrounding tenantry and villagers to be able to use Whippingham Station, rather than to have to go to Cowes or Newport, and then return for miles to their homes.

Royalties from far and near have here detrained: men and women famous over the world have trodden its platform when visiting or leaving the great Qeeen of England; it has witnessed the joy of marriages and the pain of deaths amongst the Royal family in a way no other station has done.

[5]In its early days its passenger carrying status was ambiguous[6] and, although always clean and tidy,[7] it was never very busy.

The station house, now a private dwelling, still stands,[8] with the only other building within any sort of close proximity being the Island crematorium.