St Helens Duver

Important notice -

Our car park is open. We have limited spaces, so if the car park is full please come back another time.

Sand dunes with a royal history and great coastal views

More about this place

Adults and two children taking an autumn walk amongst the trees

Which places are open and what you need to know before you visit 

You'll find lots of places open now - over 40 houses, 135 gardens and parks, and hundreds of coastal and countryside sites. To avoid disappointment please book in advance, especially at busier times such as weekends and bank holidays. Please check the property webpage of the place you wish to visit before you travel. Read this article to find out how to book and what to expect from your visit.

The sandy beach at Nodes Point with a boat in the distance

See what you can get up to 

From rock pooling and walking, to wildflowers and spotting boats on the horizon, there's plenty to see and do at the Duver.

Childern discovering a crab in a rockpool

Rock pooling at St Helen's Duver 

The limestone ledges off St Helens Duver on the Isle of Wight are one of the best places in southern England to go rock pooling.

Walking

Spring wildflowers bloom by St Helens lagoon, besides the Duver

Down on the Duver 

Enjoy a short but varied coastal walk exploring St Helens Duver, a sandy spit of land on the eastern tip of the Island, rich in wildlife and history.

A grassy path entices the walker onto St Helens Duver

Links and ledges walk, discover the Duver 

Explore the Duver on this moderately challenging coastal walk taking in the seashore and a picturesque village.

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St Helens Duver

History

The tower of St Helen's old church
The beach at Nodes Point
A wave of people taking the annual walk out to St Helen's Fort at low spring tide

The story of St Helen's Old Church 

Learn about the first church at St Helens and find out how it fell into the decline which led to its dismantling.

Smugglers: a rags to riches story 

There's a rich history of smuggling here at the Duver - read on to find out about the smugglers themselves and the involvement of a baroness.

The fort 

Despite its history of warfare, the fort at St Helens has now become the imposing destination of a mass unofficial walk.

National Trust archaeologist at work

Our early history 

Discover the history of our early years, dating right back to the Old Stone Age with archaeological finds covering the last thousand years.

The Old Clubhouse, St Helen's Duver

The Royal Isle of Wight Golf Club 

Learn about the first golf club on the Isle of Wight, once a thriving scene with visiting celebrities and even royals.

Boats gracefully decaying on the edge of St Helen's Duver

Our maritime history 

Learn about the importance of St Helens port from the early 13th century and find out what has become of it today.

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St Helens Duver

Wildlife

An orange tip butterfly resting on a wildflower

Wildlife spotting 

Come wildlife spotting at the Common and you could find Hebridean sheep, Alexanders flowers, red squirrels, Blackcap and many other small birds.

A close-up of a common field grasshopper

Insects 

Our varied habitat has attracted many kinds of insects - including two threatened species. Find out about the different species who call the Duver their home.

Five Brent geese inflight across a bright blue sky

Birdlife 

Our varied habitats provide a haven for birds, particularly those migrating from far away. See which environments the different birds prefer, from the lagoon to the shore.

Rock pools at Nodes Point

Wildlife to discover on the shore 

We've discovered plenty of wildlife along our shoreline, particularly in the depths of our rock pools. Find out what you could discover on a trip to the Duver.

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© National Trust Registered Charity 205846 Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2NA

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