Name: St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm
Rating: 5.0

St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm

Blackgang Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 2JB, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm this is one of the most wild and beautiful parts of the Isle of Wight with a wonderfully varied landscape in a relatively small area. Turbulent currents swirl round St Catherine's Point and waves crash on the rocky shore. St Catherine's Lighthouse seems to be perfectly placed in the tumbling and slipping landscape, but is a reminder of how dangerous this coast was to shipping.

Paths weave through the bushes and glades of Knowles Farm and suddenly emerge above great landslips beneath cream-coloured cliffs. St Catherine's Down rises behind these cliffs and forms a whale-back hill with amazing views right across the Isle of Wight. Below this is the beautiful Wydcombe valley with its network of paths and ancient tree lined track ways.

If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Knowles Farm: The Isle of Wight's most southerly point, taking in the island's only surviving onshore lighthouse. Marconi made some of his early radio experiments here.
St Catherine's Down: One of the most wild and beautiful parts of the Isle of Wight, with varied landscape and coastal and countryside views.
St Catherine's Oratory: Remains of a 14th-century oratory and octagonal tower sea beacon on Chale Down (now St Catherine’s Hill), known as the Pepperpot.
Hoy Monument: A 72ft-high stone monument, capped with a distinctive ball finial. Erected to commemorate Alexander I's visit to Britain in 1814.
Wydcombe: Wydcombe valley is nestled under the downs and the woods are home to the red squirrel.
Things to see and do at St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm: With such a varied landscape in a relatively small area, St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm is perfect to explore by foot, bicycle or with your dog, with much to see of both scenic and historical interest. Explore some of the highlights here.
The monk and the merchant walk: Take a circular walk passing the Oratory, with views of the Hoy Monument. Discover Wydcombe woods and spot rare wildlife that lives in the habitat including the orange ringed dragonfly. Find out more about the monk and the merchant as you complete this trail.
Tip of the Wight walk: Discover an ever-changing landscape with panoramic views and a wealth of wildlife, at this most southerly point on the Isle of Wight. See the island’s only surviving onshore lighthouse and explore the area where Marconi made some of his early experiments in radio.

Facilities

Car park: Free parking (not National Trust) in viewpoint car park overlooking Blackgang Chine. Car park at end of Sandrock Road best for St Catherine's Point and Knowles Farm.
Dogs allowed: Dogs are welcome, but please keep your dog on a short lead around livestock and under close control at all other times.

What to see

History of St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm: Within the land we care for at St Catherine’s Down and Knowles Farm lies a colourful history of technological innovation, local legend, shipwreck and even links to a Russian Tsar. Find out more about the lighthouse, Hoy monument and Guglielmo Marconi’s breakthrough in the field of communications.

For more upcoming events information please visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/isle-of-wight/st-catherines-down-and-knowles-farm/history-of-the-lighthouse-at-st-catherines-point

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Countryside: Dawn - Dusk.

Address: Blackgang Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 2JB, UK

Post Code: PO38 2JB

Council: Isle of Wight

County: Isle of Wight

By road: St Catherine's Point is the southern-most part of the Isle of Wight, and Blackgang Chine Viewpoint car park (for St Catherine's Down) lies between Blackgang Chine and Niton on the A3055 which runs from Freshwater Bay to Ventnor and Shanklin (SZ 491 767). The car park for Knowles Farm is at the end of Sandrock Road, Niton. From the centre of Niton village head towards St Lawrence down Barrack Shute. Turn right into St. Catherine's Road. Turn right after the pub and left into Sandrock Road. OS grid ref: SZ 494 758
On foot: Consult Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 196 or OS Explorer OL29 for footpaths. The waymarked Isle of Wight Coast Path passes through the Blackgang Chine viewpoint car park..
By bus: Southern Vectis bus service between Newport and Ventnor runs every 2-3 hours during the daytime and stops by the Viewpoint car park above Blackgang Chine. For details of bus timetables see www.islandbuses.info.
Cycling: The 'Round the Island' cycle path passes by Blackgang Chine along the A3055.
Car park: Free parking (not National Trust) in viewpoint car park overlooking Blackgang Chine. Car park at end of Sandrock Road best for St Catherine's Point and Knowles Farm.