Rocken End

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Hampshire

England

Rocken End

Blackgang Chine - lifeboat The heritage aspect of this theme park has been disbanded and this is not visible on the aerial view now.
Blackgang Chine - lifeboat Credit: Chris Allen

Rocken End is a prominent headland located in Hampshire, England. Situated along the southern coast of the country, it juts out into the English Channel, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding area. This coastal feature is known for its rugged and rocky terrain, giving it its distinctive name.

The headland is characterized by its sheer cliffs, which reach heights of up to 100 meters in some areas. These cliffs are composed mainly of chalk and flint, creating a striking contrast against the vibrant blue waters of the English Channel. Due to its elevated position, Rocken End offers visitors panoramic vistas, allowing them to observe the vast expanse of the ocean and the distant coastline.

The headland is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers, who are drawn to its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife. The surrounding coastal area is home to a variety of bird species, including gulls, cormorants, and peregrine falcons. Additionally, the waters below Rocken End are teeming with marine life, making it a great spot for fishing and snorkeling.

Rocken End is also steeped in history, with archaeological evidence suggesting that it has been used by humans for thousands of years. It is believed that the headland was once a strategic lookout point during times of conflict, as it offered clear views of approaching ships. Today, remnants of ancient settlements and fortifications can still be seen along the cliffs, providing a glimpse into the area's rich past.

In conclusion, Rocken End is a captivating headland in Hampshire, England. With its dramatic cliffs, stunning views, and historical significance, it is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a truly memorable coastal experience.

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Rocken End Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.578151/-1.307051 or Grid Reference SZ4975. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Blackgang Chine - lifeboat The heritage aspect of this theme park has been disbanded and this is not visible on the aerial view now.
Blackgang Chine - lifeboat
The heritage aspect of this theme park has been disbanded and this is not visible on the aerial view now.
Blackgang Chine theme park - diesel engine This theme park had quite a strong heritage section that has now been disbanded. It included this working horizontal single cylinder Ruston diesel engine. The blurring shows that it was indeed running.
Blackgang Chine theme park - diesel engine
This theme park had quite a strong heritage section that has now been disbanded. It included this working horizontal single cylinder Ruston diesel engine. The blurring shows that it was indeed running.
Blackgang Chine theme park - overtype portable steam engine This theme park has now disbanded its heritage collection, including this engine that was belted to a circular saw. The engine is a duplex Ruston, Proctor built in 1915 and used at a sawmill on the island.
Blackgang Chine theme park - overtype portable steam engine
This theme park has now disbanded its heritage collection, including this engine that was belted to a circular saw. The engine is a duplex Ruston, Proctor built in 1915 and used at a sawmill on the island.
Blackgang Chine theme park - steam engine and boiler The educational section of the former Blackgang Chine theme park was separately marketed as 'The Disappearing Village' and included this combined vertical boiler and steam engine ensemble driving a winch. Although originally intended for dockyard work it was used for many years on a Hampshire timber estate. It was set up as a slipway winch in a beach/boat display area. There are very few examples of this type of steam ensemble in the country as a whole and this was possibly the best. It is demonstrated turning on a motor drive. The engine is by an unknown maker although Eastern Counties is a possibility.

Unfortunately this section was closed some time ago and the engines auctioned off. I am not sure where this is now.
Blackgang Chine theme park - steam engine and boiler
The educational section of the former Blackgang Chine theme park was separately marketed as 'The Disappearing Village' and included this combined vertical boiler and steam engine ensemble driving a winch. Although originally intended for dockyard work it was used for many years on a Hampshire timber estate. It was set up as a slipway winch in a beach/boat display area. There are very few examples of this type of steam ensemble in the country as a whole and this was possibly the best. It is demonstrated turning on a motor drive. The engine is by an unknown maker although Eastern Counties is a possibility. Unfortunately this section was closed some time ago and the engines auctioned off. I am not sure where this is now.
St Catherine's Lighthouse Seen here in the summer of 1986, St Catherine's Lighthouse has been protecting vessels off the southern coast of the Isle of Wight since 1840. Some historical details are available here: <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1414472">SZ4975 : St Catherine's Lighthouse</a>.
St Catherine's Lighthouse
Seen here in the summer of 1986, St Catherine's Lighthouse has been protecting vessels off the southern coast of the Isle of Wight since 1840. Some historical details are available here: SZ4975 : St Catherine's Lighthouse.
Blackgang Chine theme park - steam engine from Queen of the Broads This compound condensing engine came from the Norfolk Broads steamer Queen of the Broads. Following the disbanding of this collection it is now at South Walsham Windmill in Norfolk. As displayed here it was turned by an electric motor and kept in a cage for the safety of the public and to the frustration of the photographer.
Blackgang Chine theme park - steam engine from Queen of the Broads
This compound condensing engine came from the Norfolk Broads steamer Queen of the Broads. Following the disbanding of this collection it is now at South Walsham Windmill in Norfolk. As displayed here it was turned by an electric motor and kept in a cage for the safety of the public and to the frustration of the photographer.
Blackgang chine theme park - steam engine from PS Compton Castle Diagonal compound by Cox of Falmouth and used on the former Dart steamer Compton Castle. The still in service Kingswear Castle has a more or less identical engine.

This section of the display was closed and disbanded some years ago. This engine was acquired by the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway (operators of the Kingswear Castle) and is currently stored at Kingswear. There are plans to place it on display.
Blackgang chine theme park - steam engine from PS Compton Castle
Diagonal compound by Cox of Falmouth and used on the former Dart steamer Compton Castle. The still in service Kingswear Castle has a more or less identical engine. This section of the display was closed and disbanded some years ago. This engine was acquired by the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway (operators of the Kingswear Castle) and is currently stored at Kingswear. There are plans to place it on display.
St Catherine's Lighthouse
St Catherine's Lighthouse
St Catherine's Oratory, Isle of Wight Looking along the south-west coast of the island
St Catherine's Oratory, Isle of Wight
Looking along the south-west coast of the island
Towards Gore Cliff Looking towards Gore Cliff from the car park at the end of Old Blackgang Road.
Towards Gore Cliff
Looking towards Gore Cliff from the car park at the end of Old Blackgang Road.
Undercliff The slipped undercliff below the car park at the end of Old Blackgang Road.
Undercliff
The slipped undercliff below the car park at the end of Old Blackgang Road.
Dinosaur at Blackgang Chine
Dinosaur at Blackgang Chine
Dinosaur at Blackgang Chine
Dinosaur at Blackgang Chine
Dinosaur at Blackgang Chine
Dinosaur at Blackgang Chine
Pirate-ship playground at Blackgang Chine
Pirate-ship playground at Blackgang Chine
Cowboy Town at Blackgang Chine
Cowboy Town at Blackgang Chine
American-outline replica locomotive at Blackgang Chine This exhibit is found at the edge of the Cowboy Town area of the park.
American-outline replica locomotive at Blackgang Chine
This exhibit is found at the edge of the Cowboy Town area of the park.
St Catherine's Lighthouse This lighthouse is a prominent landmark when passing the southern coast of the Isle of Wight. It was built 1838-1840 but its height was reduced to 86 feet by the removal of the upper stage and part of the middle stage in 1875. In 1932 a lower tower of two storeys, reproducing the design of the main lighthouse, was added on the south side to mount the foghorn. These two towers are known locally as the Cow and the Calf.

The lighthouse is a Grade II listed building (Historic England List Entry Number:1209275 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1209275" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1209275">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ).
St Catherine's Lighthouse
This lighthouse is a prominent landmark when passing the southern coast of the Isle of Wight. It was built 1838-1840 but its height was reduced to 86 feet by the removal of the upper stage and part of the middle stage in 1875. In 1932 a lower tower of two storeys, reproducing the design of the main lighthouse, was added on the south side to mount the foghorn. These two towers are known locally as the Cow and the Calf. The lighthouse is a Grade II listed building (Historic England List Entry Number:1209275 LinkExternal link ).
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Rocken End is located at Grid Ref: SZ4975 (Lat: 50.578151, Lng: -1.307051)

Unitary Authority: Isle of Wight

Police Authority: Hampshire

What 3 Words

///pulse.changes.underline. Near Niton, Isle of Wight

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.578151,-1.307051
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.576835/-1.305133
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.57712/-1.307135
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 50.5790625/-1.308558
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 50.5793298/-1.3086041
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 50.579833/-1.308648
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 50.5807733/-1.3091678
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 50.5810175/-1.309417
Source: Bing
Lat/Long: 50.5814735/-1.309967
Watershoot Bay
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 50.5757993/-1.3087032
Man Made: survey_point
Lat/Long: 50.5788565/-1.3009994
Access: no
Barrier: stile
Foot: yes
Lat/Long: 50.5769397/-1.3042946
Man Made: survey_point
Lat/Long: 50.5762621/-1.3022023
Access: permissive
Barrier: stile
Bicycle: no
Foot: yes
Horse: no
Material: wood
Motor Vehicle: no
Stile: stepover
Lat/Long: 50.579534/-1.3040511
Direction: 0-360
Informal: yes
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 50.5791669/-1.3022219
Barrier: stile
Lat/Long: 50.576962/-1.3037118
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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