Ventnor

Standing on the cliffs above this Victorian seaside resort, you'll understand why the Victorians flocked here for their health cures. The panoramic views stretch across the English Channel towards the French coast on clear days, with the town's distinctive terraced houses tumbling down the steep hillside below like a Mediterranean village transplanted to the Isle of Wight.

Photographers and walkers get the most from this elevated vantage point. The light changes dramatically throughout the day - golden hour shots looking west towards the Needles are particularly rewarding, while morning visits offer crisp views of the town's botanical gardens and the distinctive Ventnor Cascade waterfall threading through the lower terraces.

Families should know it's quite a climb to reach the best viewpoints, though the effort pays off. Allow at least an hour if you're walking up from the town centre, longer if you want to explore the coastal path that runs along the cliff edge. Winter visits can be spectacular when storms roll in across the Channel, but dress warmly - the wind up here is proper fierce.

This viewpoint works brilliantly as part of a southern Isle of Wight holiday. Parkdean Resorts Lower Hyde Holiday Park sits just over three miles north, while Landguard Holiday Park is under four miles away near Sandown. Both make decent bases for exploring this less crowded corner of the island, where the dramatic geology creates some of the finest coastal scenery in southern England.