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With only a handful of cottages, brightly coloured canopied deckchairs,
beach huts, lobster pots and an old donkey and not a slot machine, car or
burger in sight, you would be forgiven for thinking that you had stepped
back in time. Some people liken it to the hidden coves in Cornwall, whilst
others think of the palm fringed bays of the Mediterranean, welcome to
Steephill Cove on the sunny south side of the Isle of Wight. Arguably the prettiest place on the Island, situated just south of the Victorian seaside town of Ventnor, Steephill Cove is a traditional, unspoilt fishing cove with a safe, sandy beach, nestled between rocky cliffs and smugglers' coves. This little bay has no road access, making it a unique noise and pollution free beach. Parking is five minutes away in the award winning Botanical Gardens, or the private car park(cheaper) above the Cove on the main road. If you are looking for noisy arcades, smelly burgers, pubs and kiss-me-quick hats, don't come here. If, on the other hand you like the freshest crab and lobster, rock- pools, watching children building sandcastles, the fishermen unloading their catch, feeding the donkey or simply lazing in a deck chair then Steephill Cove is for you. The Cove's resident fishermen provide mouth watering fresh crab and lobster, brought ashore daily (weather permitting) and placed onto your plate at the Cove's wonderful Boathouse Restaurant, and the Crab Shed which is more informal- but still features the catch of the day including daily specials, fresh mackerel and the increasingly popular crab pasties. There is also a café for teas, coffee and cakes (open Easter-October). The resident fishermen have been practising their tradition since the 1400's along this coastline. Dave, the deck chair man - who was born in the house in which he still lives, lovingly tends to the beach, keeping it clean and tidy for all, recently gaining and MBE for his services to the Community. Surrounding the Cove are the most fantastic coastal walks. From here to the Needles enjoy outstanding natural beauty with only a few old cottages along the way. To the north spend a morning strolling through the Botanical Gardens which contain rare plants from all over the world, surviving here in this microclimate, sheltered from the north winds by the protective down lands. To the east, Ventnor is a ten minute walk along the cliffs. This town has everything that the Cove cannot provide, shopping, more restaurants and some great pubs - the Spyglass Inn is on the Esplanade to name one. Further a field another 15 minutes away Bonchurch is a tranquil place named after the "Boniface Down" which towers above its pretty stone houses, large central pond and quaint shoreline. The Boathouse Restaurant - Open
May-September. Booking essential
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Jim and Mandy Wheeler - 07891 304796 - Tamarisk, Love Lane, Steephill Cove, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1AF - ajwsteephillcove@gmail.com