The monk and the merchant walk St Catherine's Down and Ships A-Hoy! A breathtaking Knowles Farm, Blackgang circular walk steeped in history Road, Blackgang, Isle of Wight. with spectacular panoramic views Nearest postcode PO38 2JB across the Island. TRAIL Walking GRADE Moderate DISTANCE 4.8 miles (8km) Terrain TIME This walk has an ascent of 800ft (250m) and includes many stiles and gates. A high and exposed 2 hours to 2 hours 30 headland, can be very windy and covered by low cloud or mist, and paths can be very muddy and minutes slippery. Dogs are very welcome, but please keep your dog on a lead around wildlife and take any mess home with you. OS MAP Landranger 196; Things to see Explorer OL29 Contact 01983 741020
[email protected] Facilities Ancient Grasslands The Hoy Monument Wydcome There are records of sheep The Hoy Monument or This delightful valley lies at the being kept on the down from Alexandrian Pillar, a 72ft (22m) head of a tributary of the eastern medieval times. The hill beneath high column and ball finial built River Yar, which rises on the the Oratory is made of chalk; of local stone. Michael Hoy, a slopes of St Catherine's Down. look out for birdsfoot trefoil and wealthy merchant who traded with The farmhouse has a drystone nationaltrust.org.uk/walks thyme in the short grass of the old Russia and lived in the nearby wall (an unusual feature on quarries. The lower ridge leading Hermitage, built this monument the island) and this may have to the Hoy Monument is made of in preparation for the visit to been built using stone from the greensand which has more acid- England of Tsar Alexander I in chapel ruins.