St Helens Duver

Sand dunes with a royal history and great coastal views

More about this place

A family walking in the woods at Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire

Latest visiting update 

Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops, countryside locations and many houses are open. You no longer need to pre-book at many places. Some still require booking ahead, so please check the property webpage before you travel.​

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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