Ventnor Downs

Dark clouds gather over the steep-sided Coombe Bottom below Ventnor radar station — Coombe Bottom, Ventnor Downs – wonderful walking country

Dramatic views from the highest point on the Island

Overview
Opening times
How to get here
Facilities and access
Contact us

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

Our annual goat round-up on Ventnor Downs

If you were walking on Ventnor Downs one morning this autumn, you might have seen 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?

Ventnor Downs

Things to see and do

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.

Ventnor Downs

What's on

Ventnor Downs

History

A plaque marks the site of the Dakota crash in 1962

St Boniface

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

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.

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.