Enjoy superb views from the highest ground on the Isle of Wight on this glorious downland circuit above Ventnor.
The chalk hills that rise steeply above the Victorian seaside town of Ventnor are made up of several downs including Luccombe Down, Wroxall Down, St Boniface Down and Bonchurch Down, all in the care of the National Trust. This is the highest ground on the Island and provides wonderful views. There are large open-access areas of grassland and heathland up here, with beautiful carpets of bluebells in spring. Look out, too, for feral goats which roam the steep slopes – they were introduced in 1993 to help control the scrub and invasive holm oak. Dogs should be kept under close control when nearby, and especially during the breeding season for ground nesting birds. (March 1 – July 31).
This downland walk starts from Upper Ventnor and provides some excellent ridge-top walking with fine views. It takes in Wroxall on the way – an alternative starting point if preferred - and also splendid Appuldurcombe House. This was built in the 18th century by the Worsley family and was once the grandest house on the Island, standing in grounds designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. It is now in the care of English Heritage (free entry). Even when closed, you can still get a good view of the impressive east front of the house - a masterpiece of baroque architecture - from the footpath that runs alongside. Damaged in the Second World War, it has been partially restored and is an atmospheric place to wander round. On the hill above the house stands the Worsley Obelisk, dedicated by Sir Richard Worsley in 1774 to his ancestor Sir Robert.
THE WALK
1. (SZ556776) Walk up Steephill Down Road passing a footpath turn on the right and continuing up a private road/bridleway which leads towards the Golf Club. At a fork leave the road and bear left on a grassy path and keep ahead to join the Stenbury Trail, bearing right, signed for Stenbury Down. Pass the golf course on your right and continue along the grassy ridge-top bridleway, ignoring turnings.
2. (SZ538788) At a small car park, turn right and follow the access road down to the T-junction at the bottom of the hill. Turn left for 100 yards to where the lane turns right. For a shortcut, omitting Appuldurcombe, simply continue along the lane to Wroxall, turning left along the B3327 to rejoin the main route.
3. (SZ545793) At the bend in the road keep ahead along the track/public footpath passing Span Lodge on the left. Built around 1805, this was the former gatehouse to Appuldurcombe House. At the gate to Great Span Farm continue along the footpath to the right, go through a gate and carry on along the grass to Appuldurcombe House. Keep ahead beside the perimeter railings on the left. Along the way there’s a good view of the impressive east front of the house. Cross a stile and follow the wall round to the left to reach the entrance to the house – well worth a look round if it’s open.
4. (SZ543801) Turn right along the drive to its exit, keeping ahead along the lane to the T-junction – the B3327 at Wroxall. Turn right for a few paces then cross the road and climb the steps opposite. Turn right along the track, keeping ahead on a path when the track curves left and cross a bridge.
5. (SZ551799) Turn left up Station Road which becomes Castle Road. Keep ahead to the end of the road, then continue along the path (bridleway) to the right of the concrete track. At the first junction turn right up the footpath, then left at the next footpath junction. The path runs through woodland (keep ahead where other paths join from the left) to reach a bridle gate.
6. (SZ560805) Head diagonally left up the grassy slopes to join a defined path/track up St Martin’s Down leading to the top of Shanklin Down. Continue alongside the fence/hedge on the left. A brief detour is worthwhile when you reach a kissing gate on the left – go through this, then over a stile and across the grass to the nearby trig point for a fine view over Sandown Bay, the white cliffs of Culver Down in the distance. Back on the main path, continue along the ridge going through a gate and keeping ahead along the track over Luccombe Down.
7. (SZ571786) Go through a bridle gate and turn left at the T-junction, following the fence round the perimeter of the radio station enclosure, woodland on the left (southern side). Keep ahead down the grassy ridge of St Boniface Down descending quite steeply. At the bottom go through a gate and continue down steps to Old Station Road, the site of the former Ventnor railway station (1866-1966), now an industrial estate. If you walk to the end, you can see the bricked-up tunnel that went through St Boniface Down. Turn right past an interesting information board along the B3327 back to the start.
COMPASS POINTS
Start/finish: Roadside parking along Steephill Down Road, off the B3327 - no through road signed for Ventnor Golf Club (SZ556776)
Map: OS Explorer OL29
Distance: 7¼ miles (11.6km). Shortcut option: 6½ miles (10.6km)
Terrain: Grassy downland paths with two significant but steady ascents and corresponding (but somewhat steeper) descents, fairly level ridge-top sections, short stretches along roadside pavements.
Time: 3½ hours. Allow extra time for looking round Appuldurcombe House (open April - Oct, daily except Sat, 10 - 4)
Refreshments: Smokin’ Jack’s, Wroxall (01983 854701), choice in Ventnor including Ocean View Fish & Chip shop near start (01983 852865)
Public transport: Wightlink car ferries between Portsmouth & Fishbourne and Lymington & Yarmouth; passenger catamaran from Portsmouth to Ryde, 0333 999 7333, www.wightlink.co.uk. Bus services 3 & 6, Newport to Ventnor, former also links with Ryde, islandbuses.info.
