St Catherine's Down and the Hoy Monument
Isle of Wight
St Catherine's Down is the high, exposed ridge above Blackgang at the southern tip of the Isle of Wight, where sheep graze and dogs are asked to keep to a lead. On its summit stands St Catherine's Oratory, a medieval lighthouse tower known locally as the Pepperpot, and at the far end of the ridge rises the Hoy Monument, a 22 metre column built by the merchant Michael Hoy for the visit of Tsar Alexander I in 1814. The National Trust's Monk and the Merchant walk is a 7.4km circuit from the free Blackgang Viewpoint car park. It climbs straight up to the Oratory, follows the chalk and greensand ridge north to the monument, then drops through fields to Wydcombe and its woods before climbing back. Expect around 250 metres of ascent, eleven gates, four stiles and almost fifty steps.
This dog friendly walk mixes open downland with sheltered woodland, but it is not a free-running route. Sheep have been kept on the down since medieval times, and the National Trust asks for dogs to be on a lead around wildlife and livestock, which takes in much of the ridge and the farmland below. The headland is high and exposed, the paths get very muddy and slippery, and there is no water on the ridge. There are no toilets or cafe on the route, so bring water for your dog and plan a stop in Niton or Chale.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Peak, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route and no toilets; pubs and shops in Niton and Chale.
- Parking
- Blackgang Viewpoint car park, free public car park (not National Trust), nearest postcode PO38 2JB.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to St Catherine's Down and the Hoy Monument, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Old School House - Whitwell
Sleeps 5 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £471 / 7 nights
The Hayloft Cottage - Godshill
Sleeps 3 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £594 / 7 nights
Bonchurch Waterfront Bliss
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,459 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Isle of WightFrequently Asked Questions
Is St Catherine's Down and the Hoy Monument dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. Dogs are welcome on the National Trust's St Catherine's Down, and the mix of open ridge and Wydcombe woods keeps things interesting. The score reflects the grazing livestock, which means a lead for much of the route, and the four stiles, which can be awkward for bigger dogs. There are no facilities or water on the walk.
Can dogs be off lead at St Catherine's Down and the Hoy Monument?
Only in places. The National Trust asks for dogs to be on a lead around wildlife and livestock, and the down has been grazed by sheep for centuries, so plan on a lead across the ridge and through the fields. In the woodland around Wydcombe, where no stock is present, a dog with reliable recall may have short spells off lead. Always check the fields ahead before unclipping.
What should I know before visiting St Catherine's Down and the Hoy Monument with my dog?
The route is 7.4km with about 250 metres of ascent, a steep first climb to the Oratory, eleven gates and four stiles. The ridge is high and exposed, often windy or misty, and the paths can be very muddy and slippery. There are no toilets on the route. Blackgang Viewpoint car park is a free public car park, not run by the National Trust.
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