St Catherine's Oratory

You'll spot this squat stone tower long before you reach it - a stubborn medieval lighthouse perched on the cliffs near Ventnor, looking every bit its 600-odd years. St Catherine's Oratory stands alone on the headland, a proper solitary sentinel that's part lighthouse, part chapel, depending on which century you're asking about. Built in the 14th century, it's one of England's oldest lighthouses, though "oldest" here means it's been doing its job for longer than most of us have been alive.

The walk to reach it is straightforward enough - roughly 45 minutes from Ventnor along the coastal path, with views that justify every step. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no faffing about. You get the tower itself, the surrounding cliffs, and the sound of the sea doing what the sea does. The climb up inside is tight and genuinely atmospheric, assuming you're not too broad across the shoulders.

History types will get the most from this. Families with younger kids might find it a brief stop rather than a full afternoon's entertainment - the novelty of climbing a spiral staircase wears off faster than you'd think. But if you're camping at Sibbecks Farm Glamping or anywhere near Ventnor and fancy a proper walk with something genuine at the end of it, this is worth the effort. Free admission, open year-round, sensible footwear essential.