Ventnor Downs

Golden autumn colours beneath a blue sky on Luccombe down

Dramatic views from the highest point on the Island

More about this place

Several wild goats running down a hill on Ventnor Down in autumn

Our annual goat round-up on Ventnor Downs 

If you're walking on Ventnor Downs one morning this autumn, you may see a big group of people with walking sticks making their way through gorse, bracken and brambles. But why are they there and what are they doing?

A walker passing through a gate at St Boniface Down and Coombe Bottom

See what you can get up to 

With an abundance of wildlife for you to spot and glorious walks aplenty, you may have a hard time fitting everything we have to offer into one day trip.

View from Freshwater Bay of Tennyson Down, Isle of Wight

More about visiting the Isle of Wight 

Whether its walking, cycling, family fun, wildlife or history that interests you, you can find it all on the Isle of Wight.

Walking

A ranger-led walk over Luccombe-down through the purple heather

Pre-history to Cold War walk 

From Bronze Age burial barrows to secretive Cold War underground nuclear operations, this short but challenging walk will take you down an interesting historical path.

Three walkers on Luccombe Down with fine views over Sandown Bay

Luccombe and the Landslip walk 

Admire autumn colours of heather and bracken on this invigorating walk in the south of the Island, with splendid far-reaching views to Culver Down in the east.

Time: 2 hours
Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km)

Two dog walkers sit on the grass on Ventnor Downs and take in the wide views

Views of Ventnor walk 

Challenge yourself to this short but particularly steep walk and be rewarded with far-reaching views over the Downs and beyond.

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Ventnor Downs

History

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  • St Boniface and Pulpit Rock

    St Boniface 

    Discover the story of St Boniface and find out how he's still remembered on the Isle of Wight today.

  • A plaque indicates the site of St Boniface Well

    St Boniface and the Wishing Well 

    Hear the story of the St Boniface Wishing Well and learn how it was lost to the Holm oak wood but has since been rediscovered.

  • A plaque marks the site of the Dakota crash in 1962

    The Dakota crash memorial 

    Learn about the tragic Dakota air crash, the changes it inspired for airfields and our memorial which helps to commemorate those who died in the accident.

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Ventnor Downs

Wildlife

Old English goats with kid

Old English feral goats 

Find out about our herd of Old English feral goats and how they've helped us care for the Downs.

The holm oak wood covers the slopes, with Ventnor seen far down below

The Holm Oaks 

Find out about the holm oak, how it's endangering our chalk grassland and what our herd of Old English feral goats are doing to help.

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Ventnor Downs

Places to stay

The exterior of Chert holiday cottage on the Isle of Wight

Stay with us 

For a quirky place to stay near Ventnor try a holiday at either Chert or Little Chert. Located on the Undercliff, they were designed and built in the 1970s and are full or colour and retro features.

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Ventnor Downs

Get involved

People sitting on the chalk cliffs at Tennyson Down, Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Association 

Find out more about how you can join the Isle of Wight Association, and support the work of the National Trust.

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