St Boniface Down is the highest point on the Isle of Wight with great views over the coastline at Ventnor. It is also home to the 7 centimetre-long great green bush-cricket which, from May to October, can be seen in the trees and grassland or their very loud sewing machine-like ‘song’ may be heard. Cricket-spotting may be combined with a fabulous circular walk from Ventnor Down National Trust car park, across Luccombe Down, Bonchurch Down and St Boniface Down. Some sections are steep but worth it for the views to Sandown Bay, Culver Cliffs, and across the island to Portsmouth. There is also the chance of bumping into the island’s feral herd of Old English goats on Bonchurch Down and Coombe Bottom. The walk passes various World War II buildings and the RAF Ventnor Radar Station, which played an important role in the Battle of Britain.
Whilst you are on the Isle of Wight why not try:
Walk to the Isle of Wight’s highpoint on St Boniface Down
Enjoy a swim and crab pasty at Steephill Cove
The Needles and Tennyson Down circular walk
Circular walk St Catherine’s Oratory