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Ventnor is the main town in the Undercliff which stretches from St Catherines Lighthouse on the most southern tip of the island to Luccombe 10 miles north east along the coast. Ventnor first became popular as seaside town in Victorian times when the Undercliff was known as the British Madeira. The coastline faces south east and is protected by an upper cliff which is the result of a series of landslides at the end of the last ice age. This combination of geology and protection from northerly winds gives the varied and interesting landscape which enjoys one of the most favourable climates in the British Isles.

Ventnor Haven is located at the eastern end of the Esplanade with Ventnor leisure beach located just west of the main rock arm. The bay is good for sunbathing and swimming in the summer and has a good variety of pubs, cafes and restaurants offering food, drink and live entertainment all year round. From Ventnor Bay, the coastal path leads to Steephill Cove and the Botanic gardens a mile to the west or the Victorian village of Bonchurch a mile to the east.

In more recent years Ventnor Town has undergone major development reinventing itself as a stylish destination. Many derelict Victorian properties have been renovated to their former glory providing accommodation for visitors in the form of boutique hotels, luxury guest houses and self catering holiday lets. Although popular with visiting families and walking parties, Ventnor has a good local community spirit and hosts two of the Island’s big music festivals, the Isle of Wight jazz Festival in spring and the Isle of Wight Blues and Folk festival in Autumn.

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