Spotlight on Ventnor with its ‘micro-climate’
Ventnor makes for a great holiday destination, the town was popular during the Victorian era when it was renowned as a health resort due to its micro-climate. The town has been expanding over the past few years with new restaurants, shops, and bars being opened as well as some great holiday accommodation both in and around the town.
The town is home to a number of attractions including the famous Ventnor Botanical Gardens which thanks to the micro-climate have a rich variate of plants from around the world some of which can only be grown in this spot of the UK. Along the front, you will find the famous Island Map paddling pool a firm favourite in the summer with the smaller children and a safe environment for families to enjoy the sea views and friendly atmosphere of Ventnor.
Being built on the side of the Downs, there is always a sea view and the large Victorian houses offer you an insight into what the town was like in its Victorian “hay day”. The small harbour is a great spot from which to watch the boats and sea safaris and fishing trips are offered from here throughout the year. The clear waters are accessed from a gently sloping sand and shingle beach. Superb pubs overlook the beach area and cafes, which offer locally, caught seafood and Island-grown produce. From the esplanade, you can walk to the town’s shops, past the cascade and Winter Gardens, or take the level walkthrough to Bonchurch, along the revetment walk. If you decide to head further south, you can walk along the cliff tops towards Steephill Cove, a beautiful sheltered bay, which is only accessed on foot. A great safe place for the children to play and enjoy the safe bathing.
The town centre itself offers a wide range of “knick-knack” and speciality shops, which sell books, antiques and many other items of interest. There are also tearooms and pubs. From The High Street, you can catch a bus to the majority of the Island’s principal towns. One trip, which is well worth doing, is the open top bus, which will take you right around the Island and offer superb views from every direction. If you head further south towards Niton and St. Catherine’s, take the road through Undercliff. This drive is truly unique, trees shade the road so that it is like driving through a tunnel, this coupled by steep cliffs and beautiful walks, mean that the Undercliff can offer a full day out.
Holidays Accommodation
There are a number of stylish hotels, boutique B&B many with sea views and some spectacular self-catering accommodation both in the town and in the outlying areas. There is also a few holiday parks in Ventnor including Appuldurcombe gardens park.
Eating Out
There are plenty of exciting places to eat in the area with a selection of cafes & tearooms, restaurants and pubs perfect for every taste and budget. Locally caught seafood including Ventnor bay crab is a speciality of the area with fresh fish brought in daily from local fisherman. The Island is home to three brewery’s and many of the beers can be tried in the local pubs, you will also find the Island smallest pub The Volunteer.
