Starting in Ventnor, this is a flat, paved walk along Undercliff Drive to St Lawrence and back again, and is suitable for all weathers. As you near St Lawrence, there are some stretches where there is no pavement. But since a landslip closed a section of the road further on, it now has little traffic on it.
The route starts in Ventnor by The Rex on Church Street. The nearest carpark is Grove, behind St Catherine's Church, but it's rather a steep road up out of the carpark. You may prefer to be dropped off outside The Rex instead.
With Ventnor behind you, pass along Belgrave Road which offers an elevated view over rooftops to Ventnor Bay below. Belgrave Road has some lovely old houses to admire, and The Royal Hotel is a beautifully elegant building. You might like to treat yourself to some alfresco lunch or afternoon tea in the garden, which is all doable in a wheelchair.
At the end of Belgrave Road, continue straight ahead onto Park Avenue, and then onto Ventnor Park. This is a delightful place in summer and has tarmac paths throughout. There is a small stream and you are likely to see a number of ducklings swimming around in summertime. Live music is regularly played in the bandstand.
You can stop for refreshments at Tee in the Park - the kiosk by the putting green in the park.
Leave Ventnor Park and return to the road towards St Lawrence. Passing the cricket ground you will come to Ventnor Botanic Garden, another pitstop opportunity. The cafe, plant sales and shop are open to all without paying the entrance fee. There is a ramp down to the entrance and the cafe is step free, and has an accessible toilet. From the terrace you can look out over the palm garden.
A short distance past Botanic Garden is Lisle Combe, a large Victorian stone house and once the home of the poet Alfred Noyes, now a bed and breakfast.
St Lawrence has 2 churches; the one on the main road that you're already on dates from 1867 and is famous for its collection of stained glass by Edward Burne-Jones, William Morris and Ford Madox Brown. There is no easy access into the church without using the steps.
St Lawrence's other church is found up Seven Sisters Road, but again there are 2 or 3 steps down into the entrance of the church. If you can, it's a delightful, tiny church, built in the 12th Century. However, Seven Sisters Road is a steep road, so could be challenging for someone pushing a wheelchair, whether uphill or down. You may choose to leave this church out.
The walk ends at the junction of Undercliff Drive with Spindlers Road and Old Park Road, so you need to retrace your steps back to town.
