Tucked quietly in the rolling downs just north of Ventnor lies the charming village of Wroxall, just a 7-minute drive away (or a short walk, cycle or bus ride). Though so close to Ventnor’s coast and buzz, Wroxall feels like stepping into another world. With gently sloping lanes, old stone cottages, quiet fields, and a sense of timeless peace.
Wroxall is often overlooked, but that’s part of its magic. It remains beautifully unspoilt, with much of its character intact. The old church spire visible across hedgerows, pockets of woodland, and walks radiating out to Ventnor Down, Stenbury, and beyond.
It’s close enough to Ventnor to feel part of its orbit, yet far enough to retain its own slow rhythm. For those who want a quieter day, Wroxall is a gentle gem with plenty of free attractions to enjoy.
There is a public car park that is free of charge for 24 hours. Opposite is The View Cafe offering refreshments, and homemade cake.
One of Wroxall’s greatest (and lesser-known) treasures is Appuldurcombe House. Not quite a full house now, but a hauntingly beautiful ruin with stories layered deep in its stone. It’s a place that whispers of grandeur, scandal, and quiet decay.
A brief history
The seat of the Worsley family, Appuldurcombe evolved over centuries. The present baroque shell began in 1702, under Sir Robert Worsley (4th Baronet) with architect John James.
Sir Richard Worsley, his great-nephew, expanded, entertained, and commissioned the celebrated landscape designer Capability Brown in 1779 to lay out the grounds.
The house had its dramas. Sir Richard married Seymour Fleming (a young beauty), and their marriage unraveled spectacularly. There was a famous 1782 court case accusing her of multiple affairs, and gossip threads that still echo today.
The 20th century wasn’t kind: during WWII, a German aircraft dropped a mine near the house, blowing in windows and damaging the roof; much of the remainder was later stripped out, sold off, or fell into ruin.
Today the house stands mostly as a shell, but with parts re-glazed or reroofed; you can wander the ruins, explore the cellars, and stroll Brown’s 11-acre landscape garden.
Visiting info: Entry, times, winter
Entry: Free. The house and grounds can be visited at no cost.
Opening times (April to October): 10:00am to 4:00pm, Sunday through Friday. Closed on Saturdays.
Winter closure: From 1 November through March, the house and grounds are closed.
Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds.
It’s a quietly powerful experience. A place where you sense the echoes of what once was, and nature now softening the edges.
One lesser-known feature tied to the estate is the Freemantle Gate, the original entrance (now used by farm animals / pedestrians) leading into the park and grounds.
Above the estate, on Stenbury Down (also called Appuldurcombe Down), stands the Worsley Obelisk (or Worsley Monument), erected in 1774 by Sir Richard Worsley in memory of his ancestor Sir Robert Worsley (who died 1747).
The monument was struck by lightning in 1831 and partially damaged, then restored (though not fully to original height) in 1983, through efforts by General Sir Richard Worsley, local authorities, and community groups.
It’s a popular walking destination, often incorporated into the Worsley Monument Circular hike (about 3.7 miles, moderate difficulty) that offers fine views and a sense of solitude.
Just outside the village lies the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, a wonderful charity which offers “forever homes” to donkeys in need.
The sanctuary offers guided tours, donor / adoption opportunities, and a café in a converted barn with views over the paddocks.
It’s a gentle, uplifting place to spend time, meeting over 100 donkeys, ponies, and mules, enjoying the pastoral surroundings, and supporting a local cause.
There is a lovely cafe at the Sanctuary, that offers refreshments, meals, snacks, cake and cream tea.
Open 7 days a week, 10:00am – 4:30pm (year-round).
Free entry and free parking, with disabled access spaces.
Dogs on short leads are welcome.
This easy, scenic stretch of the Red Squirrel Trail runs from Wroxall to Shanklin, perfect for a relaxed walk or cycle. Following the old railway line, it’s largely traffic-free and gently graded. Along the way you’ll pass alpacas, a beautiful horse-riding training field, grazing cows, and wide views of hedgerows, meadows, and woodland.
Keep an eye out for seasonal wildflowers and birds, it’s a lovely slice of countryside that links village calm with the seaside bustle of Shanklin.
It’s so close to Ventnor, yet often escapes notice. That juxtaposition makes it all the more peaceful.
The village retains its historic threads: old names, walks that predate modern roads, and a quieter tempo.
Appuldurcombe’s partially ruined elegance gives a sense of time’s passage, while the gardens, downs, and monuments keep the story alive.
The surrounding features (donkey sanctuary, cycles, obelisk, follies) invite visitors to linger, explore slowly, and feel rooted in place.
If your preferred dates show as unavailable online, please call our Reservations Team on 01983 852186, who will be happy to assist with your enquiry.
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