Home
What's New?
This Magical Isle
Events 2010
Your Stories
I.O.W. Ferries
Towns & Villages
Best Beaches
Best Attractions
Super Campsites
Holiday Homes
Hotels
Caravan Parks
Holiday Chalets
Good Pubs
Restaurants
Tourist Information
Our Shop
Golf Clubs
National Trust
Fossil Hunting
Day Trips
Local Wildlife
Estate Agents
Car & van hire
IOW Design
World travel
Hello
Contact us here
Disclaimer
Site Map
 

Let's take a day trip
to Ventnor!


This trip to Ventnor has to be our absolute favourite. It's one we made over and over again when we lived on the mainland - and one we now inflict on all our visitors!

Your journey involves traveling with Wightlink from Lymington to Yarmouth, so, when you are ready to proceed, you can BOOK ONLINE here.

We have deliberately selected this crossing because it involves driving down through the New Forest - an experience not to be missed!

From Lymington, your ferry crossing lasts only 30 minutes - just long enough for a cup of tea or coffee (with real crockery, if you're lucky!).



Once ashore, turn LEFT out of the harbour onto the A3054, then RIGHT after only half a mile onto the B3401 sign-posted Ventnor. After a further half mile or so, ignore left turning to Thorley; keep straight on along Wilmingham Road to its junction with the B3399 Newport Road.

Turn LEFT and continue for approximately two miles then turn RIGHT where you see a sign for Chessell Pottery. After approximately one mile bear RIGHT where the road forks and continue down the hill to Brook village. Drive through Brook to the T junction with the main 'Military Road', the A3055. This fabulous road runs all along the south coast of the island through open farmland with the ocean - the English Channel - to your right.

Continue on the A3055 all the way to Ventnor via Chale, Blackgang Chine and Niton. The journey, from Niton to Ventnor takes you all along 'The Undercliff', a lush, green area formed thousands of years ago by landslide. All too soon you will emerge from the trees and you will see a sign welcoming you to Ventnor and St Lawrence. Keep on the main road through St. Lawrence village, past the Ventnor Botanic Garden then uphill to Park Avenue - the beginning of Ventnor itself.

You will soon see Ventnor Park on your right. Take the first right into Belgrave Road then first right again into Bath Road. This drops steeply downhill, winding towards the Esplanade.

We suggest you park in 'La Falaise' car park towards the bottom of Bath Road. (N.B. This is a pay-and-display car park 365 days a year.) From here you have a short walk down to The Esplanade with the Spyglass Inn at one end of the beach, and the Mill Bay (another pub) and small harbour at the other (Ventnor Haven).

Ventnor Haven and fishery

If it's too early for lunch at this point, I can thoroughly recommend you try the local ice-cream from the Minghella stall along the Esplanade (my favourite is oriental ginger and honey - yum!), and/or coffee at The Mill Bay. Later perhaps, a walk out to the far end of the harbour from where you have the best view of Ventnor itself - tier upon tier of Victorian houses all looking out to sea.

Ventnor town from the Haven


By now you should be ready for a challenge, so we're off for a fabulous cliff walk to Steephill Cove - a quaint little cove about one mile away which can only be reached on foot. It reminds me of the beaches illustrated in Enid Blyton's 'Famous Five' books - there's even a house perched on the cliffs like Kirrin Cottage!

To reach Steephill Cove you simply return to La Falaise car park then follow the 'Coastal Path' all the way. (Please note: The return walk is fairly strenuous with steep inclines and a long set of steps - but it's well worth the effort!)

Steephill Cove


Within the cove itself you will find The Beach Cafe which is open from Easter to September for ice-creams, lunches and teas between 11:00 and 4:00 on fine days only. Note, however, that it usually closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except in school holidays. If you are unsure, it's a good idea to telephone the cafe on 01983 855390 to check the situation.

After you have lunched, rested and perhaps enjoyed a swim or deck chair snooze, it will be time to make the return journey to La Falaise car park. (Keep a look out for lizards sunning themselves on the car park south-facing walls - we've seen them even in January!)

Once returned, if you are ready for a square meal we can recommend the Spyglass Inn just below the car park. It's one of the most popular pubs on the island and is filled with nauticalia of all descriptions. Here you can eat inside or outside on the terraces and look out across the beach and out to sea. Food is served all day, every day.

View of the beach from The Spyglass Inn


If you are not yet ready to eat, may we suggest a short drive up onto the Downs? These tower some 800' above and behind Ventnor, sheltering the town from the north and east and thereby helping to give it its notoriously mild climate.

To reach the Downs you will need to retrace your route up Bath Road and along Park Avenue then first right into Castle Road. Follow this to the traffic lights at the top then turn left into Gills Cliff Road. Continue on this road to its junction with Ocean View Road by the fish and chip shop. Turn left there then second right into Down Lane. Then simply follow the 'dead end' road as far as you want.

All the land here is owned by the National Trust - there are wonderful views all round, and it's marvelous walking country!

Bluebells on Wroxall Down


In the spring you will see carpets of bluebells - and rabbits everywhere! And if you are lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of the ponies that graze freely on the chalky downland.

Of added interest is the old radar station perched high above the town which saw action right through the last war and up to the 1960s.

And nearby you will see a plaque to commemorate those who died in 1967 when a passenger plane crashed into the downs in thick fog. (That accident apparently triggered the compulsory installation of altimeters in all planes.)

Wild pony on Luccombe Down above Ventnor


Towards the end of your day you will need to recharge your batteries before facing the journey home. So, you can either return to the Spyglass Inn, or, if you fancy going elsewhere, we can also recommend The Buddle Inn at Niton which is on your way home.

The Buddle Inn at Niton


Retrace your route along the main A3055 towards Niton then, before you reach the village, look out for turning to the left sign-posted 'St. Catherine's Lighthouse'. The Buddle will be found on the right after approximately 200 yards. (At peak times it is advisable to make a firm booking. Telephone: 01983 730243.)

Finally, suitably refreshed, you will make your return trip to Yarmouth - and home.

Feel like you've had a good break? I hope so!

BACK from Ventnor to Isle of Wight Day Trips page

BACK to HOME PAGE


footer for Ventnor page