Worsley Monument

Scrambling up through woodland on the southern tip of the Isle of Wight, you'll find this curious stone obelisk perched on the downs above Ventnor. The monument commemorates Sir Richard Worsley, an 18th-century antiquarian and former governor of the island who clearly had a taste for dramatic viewpoints.

What strikes you first is the position - this thing commands proper views across the English Channel on a clear day. The walk up from Ventnor takes about 45 minutes through some fairly steep terrain, so it's one for reasonably fit walkers rather than families with pushchairs. History buffs will appreciate the connection to Worsley, who was instrumental in preserving many of the island's archaeological sites.

The monument itself is fairly modest - a stone pillar rather than anything grand - but it's the walk and the setting that make it worthwhile. On a blustery day you'll have the place to yourself, which adds to the appeal. Best tackled as part of a longer coastal walk rather than a destination in its own right.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks around Ventnor like Parkdean's Lower Hyde or the glamping spots near Appuldurcombe, it makes for a decent morning's exercise. Just check the weather - there's precious little shelter up here when the wind gets up.