Culver Down

4 miles · Moderate

The walk from Sandown to Bembridge via Culver Down follows the chalk headland that separates Sandown Bay from the open Solent, climbing from the beach to the top of one of the most dramatic cliff formations on the Isle of Wight. At four miles it is a manageable outing, but the ascent and descent of the cliff are steep enough to earn a moderate grading, and the clifftop sections are exposed to the wind.

The route starts at the northern end of Sandown Bay, either from Yaverland Beach or from the car park at Yaverland Road. Walking north along the beach, the chalk cliff of Culver Down rises ahead, growing more imposing with every step. The cliff face is sheer, dropping vertically from the grassy summit to the rocks and sand below. The white chalk is brilliant in sunshine and provides a spectacular backdrop to the beach.

The ascent path leaves the beach and climbs steeply up the southern flank of the down. There are steps in places, cut into the chalk, and the going can be slippery when wet. The climb is about 300 feet and takes fifteen to twenty minutes for most walkers. As you gain height, the views behind you expand to take in the full sweep of Sandown Bay, from the pier at Sandown to the dark cliffs of Shanklin and the distant headland of Dunnose.

At the top of the cliff, the Yarborough Monument stands on the highest point. This obelisk was erected in 1849 to commemorate Charles Anderson-Pelham, Baron Yarborough, the first commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes. The monument is a useful landmark and is visible from much of the eastern part of the island.

The summit of Culver Down is open chalk grassland, cropped by rabbits and the salt wind. The turf is springy underfoot and dotted with wildflowers in summer. The views are superb. To the west, the whole of Sandown Bay lies below. To the north, the Solent stretches away towards Portsmouth, and the towers and cranes of the naval dockyard are visible. To the east, the low-lying land around Bembridge Harbour and the marshes of Brading Haven create a different kind of landscape, flat and watery.

The cliff edge on the northern side of the down is sheer and unfenced. Care is needed, particularly in windy conditions. The cliff face is home to nesting fulmars and herring gulls, and peregrine falcons are occasionally seen hunting along the cliff. In spring and early summer, the bird activity on the ledges below is worth watching with binoculars.

The descent from Culver Down to Bembridge drops from the eastern end of the ridge, following a path through scrubby grassland and eventually reaching the village via lanes and a housing estate. Bembridge itself is a pleasant sailing village with several pubs, a bakery, a deli and other shops. The RNLI lifeboat station at the end of Bembridge Ledge is worth walking out to if the tide is low.

The walk can be done in either direction. Starting from Bembridge and finishing in Sandown has the advantage of ending with a descent to the beach rather than an ascent from it. Either way, the views from the top of Culver Down are among the finest on the island and the walk is one of the most satisfying short outings on the Wight.

Public transport links are available at both ends. Buses connect Sandown and Bembridge, and Sandown has a railway station on the Island Line. Allow two to three hours for the walk, more if you plan to linger on the summit or explore Bembridge.

Highlights

• Culver Down chalk cliffs
• Yarborough Monument
• Sandown Bay panorama
• Peregrine falcon territory
• Bembridge Harbour views