Gore Cliff

The walk up to Gore Cliff from Ventnor takes about twenty minutes and rewards you with proper views across the Channel. On a clear day you're looking straight out to the French coast - it's the sort of vista that makes you understand why people bother with the Isle of Wight in the first place.

It's a straightforward clifftop path, well-trodden and free to access. The cliff face itself drops sheer to the shingle beach below, so this isn't a place to let young children run about unsupervised, but older kids and teenagers will find it dramatic enough to hold their attention. Walkers get the most from Gore Cliff - it's a logical waypoint on longer coastal rambles rather than a destination in itself, and you'll want a good hour to sit, look, and actually take it in rather than snap a photo and leave.

The geology nerds will spot the dramatic striations in the red sandstone - proper evidence of the island's ancient Jurassic landscape. Most people combine this with a walk down into Ventnor itself, which is only a short stroll away and has actual cafes and fish and chips if you're hungry.

If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots like Sibbecks Farm or Warren Hill Camp, Gore Cliff makes an easy morning outing. It's free, takes minimal time to reach, and gives you something to do that doesn't involve spending money. The wind can be fierce up there, so bring a proper jacket even if the town looks calm.