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Culver Down

2.5 miles (4 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Explore the beautiful Culver Down before visiting Bembridge Fort on this circular walk on the Isle of Wight coast. There are fabulous views over Sandown Bay, Shanklin Bay and the Solent to enjoy on the walk. The downs are also covered in pretty wildflowers such as cowslip, rock rose, Bee orchid and birdsfoot trefoil. These attract many butterflies such as the chalkhill blue.
The walk starts at the Culver Cliff car park and heads to Culver Battery and Whitecliff Ledge where there are great views over Whitecliff Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Bembridge. You continue along the coast path before climbing to the hill fort. Here you can explore the remains of 19th-century and First World War fortifications with gun emplacements. From the elevated position there are tremendous views over the downs to the sea.
From the fort you descend across Bembridge Down back to the car park. You'll pass the Yarborough Monument, a memorial to Lord Yarborough, the first Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron on the way.
You can extend your walk by continuing along the Isle of Wight Coast Path in either direction. The Bembridge Trail and the Yar River Trail also pass through the area just north of the hill fort. If you are on a bike then National Cycle Route 67 also runs close to the fort. You can follow the route from Bembridge to Culver Down Road and turn south to reach the downs and the fort.

Postcode

PO35 5QB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Culver Down OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Culver Down Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Culver Haven pub is situated on the top of Culver down right next to the Yarbridge Monument. It's a great place for some post walk refreshments with fabulous views and a nice outdoor seating area. It's very walker and dog friendly with a postcode of PO36 8QT for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The downs are a great place for dog walking and the Culver Haven is a dog friendly place to visit after your exercise.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

In August you can try the popular St Helens Fort Walk. The walk takes you out to the 19th century St Helens Fort along the causeway at low tide.

Photos

Charolais Bull on Culver Down - geograph.org.uk - 57291

Charolais Bull on Culver Down. Looking NNE, Portsmouth in the distance across the Solent.

Cowslips on Culver Down - geograph.org.uk - 358331

Cowslips on Culver Down. In May the eastern-most end of Culver Down is covered in Cowslips. As you approach from Sandown Bay in the south-west you spot single plants and small clumps of flowers but as you reach the end of the Down above the chalk cliff there is carpet of bright yellow flowers. Looking North is Whitecliff Bay, to the west and south nothing but the sea far below with occasional boats (the QE2 on this particular day).

Culver Down Monument - geograph.org.uk - 13226

Culver Down Monument. The monument on Culver Down in memory of Charles Anderson Pelham Earl of Yarborough

The view from Culver Down (of Sandown Bay) - geograph.org.uk - 13228

The view from Culver Down (of Sandown Bay). This one of many footpaths from the top of Culver Down

Comma Butterfly on Culver Down - geograph.org.uk - 57951

Comma Butterfly on Culver Down

Yaverland Beach and Culver Down

Yaverland Beach and Culver Down

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Culver Down.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Culver Down.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)