Fishbourne, together with the adjoining Kite Hill area, became a civil parish in 2006[4] and has a parish council.[5] The parish includes the ruined Norman abbey (founded 1132) and the Benedictine monastery including Quarr Abbey (founded in the early 1900s).
The Royal Victoria Yacht Club and the 'Fishbourne Inn' are located near the ferry terminal.
Fishbourne is part of the electoral ward called Binstead and Fishbourne. This ward covers much of the Binstead district of Ryde parish and at the 2011 Census had a total population of 3,185.[8]