Bierley Waterfall

The walk down to Bierley Waterfall near Ventnor is one of those proper Island detours that rewards the effort - you're scrambling through woodland, hearing the water before you see it, then suddenly you're standing in front of a decent cascade tumbling into a pool. It's not Niagara Falls, but on the Isle of Wight it counts as something special.

The appeal here is the journey as much as the destination. You get a genuine bit of exploration, the kind of thing families actually remember rather than just posing for a photo at. The waterfall itself is modest in height but the wooded setting makes it feel remote enough, even though Ventnor is minutes away. Allow a good hour if you're bringing kids - they'll want to paddle, mess about with stones, the usual. Stick to drier months when you can; it gets boggy and slippery otherwise.

If you're camping at Sibbecks Farm Glamping just down the road, this is an easy morning's adventure before heading to the beach. Warren Hill Camp is only three miles out, so equally manageable. It works well alongside a broader exploration of Ventnor's coastal walks and the southernmost bits of the island. Don't expect visitor facilities - this is rough and ready stuff, which is precisely why it's worth doing.