Ventnor Downs Luccombe and The Landslip walk
This invigorating circular coastal walk offers splendid views along the length of the Isle of Wight. Clad in the striking colours of bluebells in spring and heather in the autumn, the downs are also home to an array of birdlife, including the peregrine falcon.
Total steps: 8
Total steps: 8
Start point
Ventnor Down car park, grid ref: SZ565784
Step 1
From the Dakota Memorial information panel at the back of the car park, follow the path around the perimeter of Ventnor Radar Station with the fence on your left. Turn left at the kissing gate by a tall mast signposted V122 Boniface Down. Keeping the radar station perimeter fence on your left, take the path that follows the hillside north-east, parallel to the coast. At the end of the green radar fence, go through the first kissing gate and head diagonally uphill towards a signpost on the near horizon. At the signpost (V113 Luccombe Copse), turn left. After 200yds (180m), you'll reach a seat where you can admire the view.
Step 2
Backtrack for 20yds (18m) and take the path on the left, which heads gently downhill along a ridge. You'll start to descend more steeply and pass through some trees. Go through the memorial gate by the information panel and down the steep and grassy Nansen Hill to the gate onto the main road.
Step 3
Cross the road and take path V65 towards the back right of the car park by the information panel. When you reach a wall, don’t turn right but go through the gap and down the steep stone steps signed ‘V65 To the Wishing seat’. There are many steps and some are uneven, so take great care and use the handrail. When the path forks, bear left and continue till you meet the signed Coastal Path. Take a small diversion to the right along the coastal path and return afterwards if you want to take a wish at the Wishing Seat.
Step 4
Turn left and follow the twisting path through The Landslip, starting with yet more steps downwards. At the end of a narrow walled path you’ll come to Rosecliff Lodge. After a path joins from the left (SS1), the track bends to the left but ignore this bend and carry straight on down to where you reach a well-signed diversion just after Luccombe Chine House.This diversion was put in place after a major landslip in early 2023 and may be there for some time. Following the diversion signs, take the track inland for 40yds (40m) then turn right into a field through a kissing gate. After 90yds (80m) go through a second kissing gate to the right and head up hill, keeping the hedge on your right. When you reach the grass track, turn right, and shortly the path forks and you take the right-hand track towards a kissing gate in a field by houses. Turn right after this gate and follow the tarmac road through Luccombe back to the Coastal Path. Turn left, and after passing a few more buildings, you’ll eventually reach a tarmac road.
Step 5
Sixty-five yards (60m) after the white house, turn right and cross the stile. Follow a meandering path parallel to the road through this open area, Haddon’s Pits, rejoining the road by the stile at the top left corner. Turn right and follow the road down towards Shanklin. Turn left into Priory Road opposite a large white apartment block.
Step 6
After 165yds (150m), take footpath SS91 on the left into Vaughan Way. Follow the road into the estate and, on a left hand bend, take the grassy and then stone track to its end at the main road. Cross the road with care and pass through the lychgate of St Blasius Church, signposted SS10. Take the tarmac path to the left of the church and cross over the boundary wall. Continue over two fields and through three memorial gates to reach some trees, climbing all the time. The hill will get steeper and you'll come to some steps past Holme Copse. Go through two more memorial gates into a meadow.
Step 7
Take a sharp left, keeping the fence on your left. Pass through a gap at the lower end of the crossing fence and head diagonally right up the hill to the trig point. There are fine views along the length of the island from Tennyson Down to Culver Down. Continue, crossing a stile and a memorial gate in the hedge ahead of you.
Step 8
Turn left onto the crossing track, and pass through two gates, to reach the Luccombe Down information panel. Follow the wide ridge-top track. Shortly after the radar station comes into sight, take the track that sweeps around to the right towards the station. It eventually becomes a well-worn grassy path on the down, close to the road leading to the radar station. Keep following this path parallel to the road back to the car park at the end of the perimeter fence.
End point
Ventnor Down car park, grid ref: SZ565784
Trail map
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