Ventnor Tourist Guide Isle of Wight Beach Holiday

Ventnor Tourist Information

Ventnor is a striking, steeply terraced seaside town on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight. It benefits from some of the sunniest weather in the country in its south facing position. The town has been built on what is an ancient landslip and now lies below St Boniface Down - part of the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - and gradually leads down the hills to the sandy and shingle beach and esplanade. The cascade gardens are well tended and make a pleasant stop on the up or down the hill!

Ventnor became popular with the Victorians when doctors recommended its climate for the recuperation for pulmonary diseases. Patients flocked to the town from all over Britain to attend the Royal National Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, which used to lie where Ventnor Botanic Gardens are now situated.

The centre of town has a good variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. You can stroll along the Esplanade with great views out to sea. Refreshment stops along the way include cafes, restaurants, pubs and there are amusements for the kids.

To the east of the town, accessible along the sea wall, is Bonchurch village which has retained its Victorian character with several large mansions. Older cottages, a village pond and the eleventh century old church of St Boniface all add to the village's charm. Writers like Dickens, Stackpole and Swinburn have all stayed here at one time or another.

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Ventnor Beach

Ventnor beach is a Blue Flag winning beach and something of a hotspot being renowned for its sunny and hot summers. The high cliffs of the downs around the town shelter the beach which is a mix of sand and shingle.

Watersports are not permitted here so the clear, clean waters make it ideal as a family friendly beach.

Along the Esplanade are amusements, a paddling pool and plenty of places to get an ice cream, drinks, snacks as well as full meals at the cafes, pubs and restaurants.

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Ventnor Botanic Gardens

Benefiting from Ventnor's sunny climate, Ventor Botanic Gardens are able to grow a wide range and exotic plants. The gardens cover 22 acres and include Mediterranean, alpine and medicinal plants and trees.

A visitor centre welcomes you to the site where a lift takes you down to the gardens and Temperate House with more exotic species. There is also a children's play area available.

Ventnor Botanic Gardens, Undercliff Drive, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO381UL. Tel: 01983 855 397. Fax: 01983 856 756. Email: simon.goodenough@iow.gov.uk.

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Ventnor Winter Gardens

Ventnor's Winter Gardens is the town's premier venue for live music, comedy, art, party nights, lectures, film, dancing and sports events.

Situated on Ventnor's hillside with great sea views, it makes a great place to visit either for a show or to stop off at the cafe bar.

Box Office: 01983 857581. Theatre: 01983 855215. Bar/Cafe: 01983 853336. Email: enquiries@ventnorwintergardens.co.uk

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