Beautiful Isle of Wight walk to try out from Ventnor to Bonchurch

The County Press is going to be bringing you a regular feature called Explore the Island - highlighting some of the Isle of Wight's best walks.

Here's one to start you off.

Begin your walk at Park Avenue in Ventnor by exploring the beautiful and very well-kept Ventnor Park. There's a stream full of ducks, a bandstand which regularly features live music, and a putting green and tea rooms! Handy toilet facilities are also right here.

View from Bonchurch, out to sea (Image: IWCP)

Head through the park in an upwards direction towards the cliff and you will find an outdoor gym! Whether you want a bit of gentle exercise or you really want to stretch yourself, trying out the equipment here is good fun - and free.

Go through the gate towards the cliff path and turn West (or right) and follow the path towards Flowersbrook.

This is a field with another stream and stepping stones, and a beautiful view out to sea and across to Ventnor Bay.

Carry on West, up the incline, and then down again. You'll get to Steephill Cove, one of the Island's best hidden treasures of a bay.

Steephill Cove, captured on camera by Les Lockhart (Image: Les Lockhart)

Here there are toilets, and cafes. It would be difficult to find a prettier spot to sit for a while.

Now start walking East, back the way you came, and along the cliff to Ventnor.

You'll pass by the chalk Ventnor sign that can be seen from the skies!

At La Falaise car park, head down to the beach. There are plenty of nice places to eat and drink if you so choose, including Besty and Spinky's - the 2023 County Press Cafe of the Year.

Opposite is Ventnor Harbour where you can choose a boat ride!

The iconic children's paddling pool is shaped like the Isle of Wight and is an award-winner - named among the best attractions in the country!

Look up towards the town and you will see the cascades and beautifully kept gardens around it.

Here is another useful toilet stop - the eco-friendly toilets have a green planted roof.

Keep walking along the promenade alongside the car park and you will enjoy a lovely stretch of interesting walkway to Bonchurch.

Wheelers Bay is a lovely spot and there's a cafe called the Seapot to look out for.

Look out for the rare Glanville Fritillary butterflies. You'll see the signs explaining how rare they are - people come from all over to catch a glimpse! 

Learn about the solar system on this walk too - look out for the info signs.

When you get to Bonchurch there's Bonchurch Pottery to look around, and a pretty bay. 

From Bonchurch you can either turn around and head back towards Ventnor, heading up into the town at the harbour, up to the Winter Gardens and back to the park along Pier Street, Church Street, and Belgrave Road.

Or, for a longer walk, at Bonchurch go up the steps next to the row of Victorian seafront terraces and check out the many delights of the village, including the old church of St Boniface, and Bonchurch Pond.

From the pond keep walking back towards the Ventnor direction, and if you keep going through the High Street, up Church Road, along Belgrave Road - you'll end up back where you started. 

Want to cut out and keep this walk idea? It will be printed in this week's County Press, out on Friday, September 20.