Holiday Cottage near Ventnor, Isle of Wight

Dramatic views from the highest point on the Isle of Wight!

With so many dog friendly open spaces, miles of beaches and historical landmarks found on the Isle of Wight, let us help you choose your next adventure! Ventnor Downs National Trust is a short drive from Kingates Farm Holiday Cottages or accessible on foot/bicycle for a great day out! The great views are immediately available once on the Downs and a short stroll east or west can get you views of Sandown or The Needles respectively. There are spots you can turn full cicle to see most of the island and far over to the mainland too, as far as the Sussex Coast wind turbines on a clear day!

The Ventnor Downs rise steeply above the Victorian seaside town of Ventnor. With the sparkling sea below and the holm oak trees which have colonised the south facing chalk slopes there is almost a Mediterranean flavour to the landscape. On the top of the downs you find a complete change of landscape with large open areas of grass and heather. It is such a rewarding area to walk in as there is great variety and some wonderful wildlife spectacles at different times of year and you can enjoy fantastic views from this high position.

You can drive to the top of the downs where there are several car parks which lead onto areas of reasonably level footpaths. Or you can earn your supper by climbing the steep hills from the town of Ventnor. We share this wonderful place with ground nesting birds like skylark and meadow pipit so in spring please keep your dogs under close control and stick to established paths in the designated and signed areas. This can make so much difference to the survival of these vulnerable birds.

You may be lucky to catch a glimpse of the herd of Old English goats which graze on Bonchurch Down and Coombe Bottom. They were introduced to the downs in 1993 to help control the spread of scrub and holm oak trees which would otherwise rapidly re-colonise the flower rich chalk grassland. There can be grazing livestock on the Downs but plenty of room and alternative footpaths to avoid them!

Pop down to Ventnor for Award Winning homemade icecream at Crave. Unique flavours change daily, dairy free, nut free and vegan ice creams always available.

Alternatively, challenge the family to find local historical landmarks on the Pre-Hisory to Cold War Walk