History

The 6.3 mile Charles Dickens Trail has been created as a tribute to the 175th anniversary of Charles Dickens last visit to the Isle of Wight in the summer of 1849 with his family.

RAF St. Lawrence was constructed during WWII, and is located on the coast about two miles west of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.

Ventnor 'Y' Station helped find out what Hitler was up to. The remains of this red brick structure can be found within Gift To Nature's Rew Down Nature Reserve.

Gift to Nature's Rew Down nature reserve, perched up at the top of Ventnor. See the fantastic views across the countryside and coast, as well as a little history from World War 2.

A Facebook group for people to discuss and share pictures and information on the history of Niton and the Undercliff and the surrounding villages.

According to a local record, in the 1830s most of Niton village was involved in smuggling. This 4.5 mile trail takes you to 14 sites of interest.

The Church of St John the Baptist is a Church of England parish church in Niton.

A 12th Century church in Whitwell, which holds a monthly Parish Communion every third Sunday at 9am.

Appuldurcombe was a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture, and though now a graceful shell, still retains more than a ghost of its former dignity.

Blue Plaques in Ventnor, Bonchurch and St Lawrence.

An historic stroll through the social history of Ventnor in its rise as a significant and important health spa town during the early 19th Century, marked by its social development in its pubs and breweries, and the growth of the fashionable accompaniments that came with it.

This fine Victorian Parish Church is very much the centre of community life in Bonchurch village.

A quaint little church that is a bit out of the way, but worth a visit if you are in the area. Unusually, the doors are normally unlocked so you can walk around.

Discover the Niton Tunnels, on Footpath NT30.

A self-guided walk along the revetment between Bonchurch and Ventnor, following the plaques that mark out the distances between the planets to scale, each one bearing some interesting facts.

Enjoy far-reaching views of the downs and the English Channel, as well as a rich blend of wildlife, on this short but challenging National Trust walk near Ventnor.

This short but challenging National Trust walk on Ventnor Downs takes in a Bronze Age burial site and reminders of the Island's wartime history.

Follow the same path that pilgrims of the Middle Ages once trod. It's an interesting walk that takes in some breathtaking scenery.

Old High Hat Tunnel St Lawrence is a 619-yard tunnel that opened in 1897 and remained in use for a further 55 years until the line closed in 1952.

The St. Lawrence heritage trails come in two parts. This one is the Coastal Trail (5.4k/3.4 miles) and requires suitable footwear as it can be wet and slippery after rain. Reasonable fitness is required.

VENTNOR HERITAGE CENTRE: Time Travel Ventnor is a heritage trail around beautiful Ventnor with fun challenges for children.

The St. Lawrence heritage trails come in two parts. This one is the Village Trail (2.5k/1.6 miles) and will take a casual 2 hours.

Sue Lowday conducts two guided walks for people interested in learning the history of Bonchurch and it's famous residents. Join one of Sue's sell out walks and discover some of the hidden histories of Bonchurch.

Ventnor and District Local History Society covers Ventnor and the Undercliff, from Luccombe in the East to Chale in the west, including the inland villages of Whitwell, Wroxall and Godshill.

Ventnor Heritage Centre is the home of Ventnor & District Local History Society, which collects and preserves stories and pictures of Ventnor and the surrounding villages to share with local people and wider communities.

The Old Church sits on a hillside in the Undercliff at St Lawrence. Open daily for private prayer. A service is held once a month.

The Victorian Parish Church is open daily from 10am-4pm, with regular weekly services.

Come and explore this little treasure trove of gifts and 12th scale doll's house items, along with a unique museum on the local history of Ventnor's beach & Longshoremen.