Walk 7 Stenbury Down to Appuldurcombe - 4 miles

Stenbury Down at 224 metres is another of the island's high points, with views across to Culver Down in the east and Tennyson Down in the west. There are many routes to the top but today I chose a relatively gentle climb from the Rew Valley.

I started from the number 3 bus stop one stop past St Boniface School in Upper Ventnor, from where a footpath leads towards the left hand corner of the field to come out beside farm buildings on Rew Lane. Alternatively, get off at the school and follow Rew Lane from the corner of the school field.

Just as I reached the lane I came across these three alpacas grazing in the next field.

A short way along the lane I passed this pretty duck pond.

At this time of year the view back across to Wroxall is stunning with fresh, vibrant grass.

Just past Span Farm, a road leads uphill towards Week Down. It's a fairly steep climb but it is a fully paved track all the way to the top.

Of course I had to snap yet more bluebells as I passed.

A flight of steps on the left near the top of the hill will cut the corner off the route if you wish; otherwise follow the track to the top where it doubles back to the right and follow the path towards Appuldurcombe. The name comes from Old English, meaning 'valley where the apples grow'.

To the left are views across to the West Wight with the white cliffs of Tennyson Down and Freshwater Bay just visible today.

On the high point of Stenbury Down is a radio mast, but it's not very attractive so I hid it behind some gorse for the photo.

To the right now are views over to Sandown Bay and Culver Down.

Down below we can see the village of Wroxall and glimpses of Appuldurcombe House through the trees.

Ahead on the right we will pass the Worsley Monument, built in 1774 in memory of his ancestor Sir Robert Worsley. It was originally an obelisk but has been partly dismantled and rebuilt having been struck by lightning.

The path now heads downwards past Gatcliff towards Godshill, along an enclosed track with steep wooden steps. This can be a muddy climb and I really would have been better off in boots than fit-flops today, but heigh-ho!

As it is Easter week, I had to take plenty of sheep photos!

The path drops down steeply from the Monument.

We come to a fine viewpoint of the village of Godshill with its church on the hill.

At the foot of the steps we come to this junction of paths and today I take the route GL49 which doubles back to head for Wroxall and Appuldurcombe.

The path leads through the Freemantle Gate, formerly the entrance to the Appuldurcombe estate, added in the 1770s in Neo-Classical style.

Legend has it that the ghost of a boy laughing can be heard around the gate.

At the end of the path I closed the field gate behind me and spotted this sign; I did wonder why there was just one cow on its own in the field, but fortunately it wasn't close!

We now arrive at Appuldurcombe House, which is run by English Heritage. The entrance, with no entrance charge, to the house is on the right for anyone wanting to explore the house properly but it's possible to get a good look at the facade from the footpath.

Follow the path along the wall and come to an area of railings with clear views across the lawns to the house.

Originally a Norman priory, the house became a convent and then home to the Elizabethan Leigh family, connected by marriage to the powerful Worsley family, who became Governors and Captains of the Isle of Wight. From 1701, Sir Robert the 4th Baronet began rebuilding the Tudor mansion into a grand country house in Palladian style.
 
His great nephew Richard, 7th Baronet was the subject of one of the great scandals of his day. He completed the mansion, filled it with Greek marbles and a fine art collection and married Seymour Dorothy Fleming. But the marriage was not a success and Lady Worsley was rumoured to have had 27 lovers, one of them her husband's close friend George Bisset. Lord Worsley brought a criminal case against him, but, scandalised by the revelations, the court awarded him only one shilling in damages, destroying his reputation.

The house was sold and became first a school, then home to a group of French monks who later founded Quarr Abbey in Ryde. But in 1943 a German bomber dropped a mine nearby, blowing out the windows and causing the roof to fall in. Behind the grand facade, the house is just a shell.

Capability Brown designed the ornamental gardens.

A signpost points the way back, but head towards the left hand corner of the field to come out alongside the drive.

Appuldurombe Road now leads back to the main Newport Road.

There wasn't much in the way of flowers on this walk, so I stopped for a patch of violets in the hedgerow.

Now you can turn right and follow the road back into Wroxall village to pick up the bus or visit the shop and church. Alternatively, take the steps up the bank opposite and follow the cycle path above and alongside the road to come out behind the church.

View full walk details

Walk Details
Start: Bus stop past St Boniface School
Finish: Wroxall Church
Time: 3 hours
Refreshments: Spar shop in Wroxall and Four Seasons pub
WC: The Four Seasons 
Bus: No 3