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St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm
A wild rocky coast with jutting cliffs, a windswept down and sheltered wooded valley
Blackgang, Isle of Wight, PO38 2JB
Opening times for 6 May 2024
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Free parking (not National Trust) in viewpoint car park overlooking Blackgang Chine. Car park at end of Sandrock Road best for St Catherine's Point and Knowles Farm.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome, but please keep your dog on a short lead around livestock and under close control at all other times.
Downland and costal slopes with steep cliffs, can be slippery and muddy when wet. Often very windy. Dogs welcome but keep on short leads around livestock and under close control at all times. Free parking (not NT) in viewpoint car park overlooking Blackgang Chine. Car park at end of Sandrock Road best for St Catherine's Point and Knowles Farm.
Steps/uneven terrain
Downland and coastal slopes with steep cliffs. Some stiles, gates and steps. Can be slippery and muddy if wet. Often very windy.
By road
St Catherine's Point is the southern-most part of the Isle of Wight, and Blackgang Chine Viewpoint car park (for St Catherine's Down) lies between Blackgang Chine and Niton on the A3055 which runs from Freshwater Bay to Ventnor and Shanklin (SZ 491 767). The car park for Knowles Farm is at the end of Sandrock Road, Niton. From the centre of Niton village head towards St Lawrence down Barrack Shute. Turn right into St. Catherine's Road. Turn right after the pub and left into Sandrock Road. OS grid ref: SZ 494 758
On foot
Consult Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 196 or OS Explorer OL29 for footpaths. The waymarked Isle of Wight Coast Path passes through the Blackgang Chine viewpoint car park.
By bus
Southern Vectis bus service between Newport and Ventnor runs every 2-3 hours during the daytime and stops by the Viewpoint car park above Blackgang Chine. For details of bus timetables see www.islandbuses.info.
By bicycle
The 'Round the Island' cycle path passes by Blackgang Chine along the A3055.
Highlights
Knowles Farm
The Isle of Wight's most southerly point, taking in the island's only surviving onshore lighthouse. Marconi made some of his early radio experiments here.
St Catherine's Down
One of the most wild and beautiful parts of the Isle of Wight, with varied landscape and coastal and countryside views.
St Catherine's Oratory
Remains of a 14th-century oratory and octagonal tower sea beacon on Chale Down (now St Catherine’s Hill), known as the Pepperpot.
Hoy Monument
A 72ft-high stone monument, capped with a distinctive ball finial. Erected to commemorate Alexander I's visit to Britain in 1814.
Wydcombe
Wydcombe valley is nestled under the downs and the woods are home to the red squirrel.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to see and do at St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm
With such a varied landscape in a relatively small area, St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm is perfect to explore by foot, bicycle or with your four-legged friend.
Top trails
Trail
The monk and the merchant walk
Take a circular walk with panoramic views across the downs and the island. Stop on route to spot rare wildlife that lives in the habitat. Find out more about the monk and the merchant as you complete this trail.
Trail
Tip of the Wight walk
A 3.5-mile walk around the southern-most tip of the Isle of Wight that takes in sweeping views of the island.
Places to stay
Knowles Farm Cottage
This rural escape has an open fire, exposed beams and views of a Victorian lighthouse to love.
Chert
A light-filled, 70s-styled home with impressive sea views from its large balcony.
Wydcombe Cottage
See if you can spot red squirrels when you stay at this former farm worker’s cottage.
About St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm
This is one of the most wild and beautiful parts of the Isle of Wight with a wonderfully varied landscape in a relatively small area.
Turbulent currents swirl round St Catherine's Point and waves crash on the rocky shore. St Catherine's Lighthouse seems to be perfectly placed in the tumbling and slipping landscape, but is a reminder of how dangerous this coast was to shipping. Paths weave through the bushes and glades of Knowles Farm and suddenly emerge above great landslips beneath cream-coloured cliffs.
St Catherine's Down rises behind these cliffs and forms a whale-back hill with amazing views right across the Isle of Wight. Below this is the beautiful Wydcombe valley with its network of paths and ancient tree lined track ways.
History
Article
History of St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm
From shipwrecks to tsars and making waves in radio technology, St Catherine's Down and Knowles Farm has witnessed a lot throughout its history.