Head Down

Downs, Moorland in Hampshire

England

Head Down

Central IOW from St Catherine's Hill A good view over the middle of the island from up here on the southern edge. — Central IOW from St Catherine's Hill Credit: Des Blenkinsopp

Head Down is a region located in Hampshire, England, encompassing the expansive landscape of the Hampshire Downs and Moorland. Situated in the South East of the country, it covers an area of approximately 100 square miles.

The Hampshire Downs are a series of rolling hills, characterized by their chalky soil and scenic views. This undulating landscape is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers. Visitors can explore the numerous walking trails that traverse the Downs, taking in the breathtaking vistas and discovering the abundant wildlife that inhabits the area.

Adjacent to the Hampshire Downs, the Moorland of Head Down offers a contrasting landscape. This vast expanse of open land is covered in heather, gorse, and grasses, creating a unique ecosystem. The Moorland is known for its rugged terrain and remote feel, providing a sense of tranquility and escape from the bustling urban areas nearby.

Head Down is also dotted with charming villages and historic landmarks. The villages in the area offer a glimpse into traditional Hampshire life, with their picturesque cottages and quaint country pubs. Additionally, there are several ancient sites of interest, such as burial mounds and Iron Age hill forts, which add a touch of historical significance to the region.

Overall, Head Down, Hampshire provides visitors with a diverse and captivating natural landscape, offering opportunities for outdoor activities, wildlife spotting, and cultural exploration. Its combination of rolling hills, expansive moorland, and charming villages make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a quintessential English countryside experience.

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Head Down Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.597267/-1.2858171 or Grid Reference SZ5077. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Central IOW from St Catherine's Hill

A good view over the middle of the island from up here on the southern edge.

Des Blenkinsopp

Old lighthouse in the way

Construction of a lighthouse on top of St Catherine's Hill started in the 1780's but was soon abandoned because the site was so often foggy. When they came to put up a radio mast on the same site, they had to work around the base of the old tower.

Des Blenkinsopp

Crops on St Catherine's Hill

The edge of the access land around St Catherine's Oratory. Beyond is farmland to the horizon.

Des Blenkinsopp

Steps up from the road

It's a bit of a climb up to St Catherine's Oratory, but the steepest bit is the steps up to the start of the footpath.

Des Blenkinsopp

Chalk Grassland, Niton Down

Home to a great diversity of plants and creatures, chalk grassland is often a preserved habitat.

Des Blenkinsopp

Fields on Niton Down

A view from the coast path up to the mast on top of St Catherine's Hill. A bus is going along Blackgang Road and higher up, a combine harvester is at work.

Des Blenkinsopp

St Catherine's Oratory, Isle of Wight

Looking along the south-west coast of the island

Michael Earnshaw

St. Catherine's Oratory

Locally known as the Pepperpot. Dating from about 1320, it was erected by Walter de Godeton as an act of penance for plundering wine from the wreck of St. Marie of Bayonne in Chale Bay.

George Griffin

Blackgang Chine from A3055

This is a ravine 400ft deep, a wild place in the 19C but now filled by a theme park. Alexander Dabell started a scenic garden in 1842 and opened it in 1845 to attract the increasing numbers of tourists. The chine is now much shorter than it was in the mid-19C, such is the speed of erosion on this coast. The site now includes 35 acres on the clifftop.

Humphrey Bolton

Hoy's Monument

Viewed from the south. On the northern face it reads:- In commemoration of the visit of His Imperial Majesty Alexander the 1st Emperor of all the Russias to Great Britain in the year 1814 In remembrance of many happy Years Residence in his Dominions This Pillar was erected by Michael Hoy On the southern face it reads This tablet was erected by William Henry Dawes Late Lieutenant of H.M. 22nd Reg In honour of those brave men of the allied armies who fell on the Alma at Inkermann and at the siege of Sevastapol A.D. 1857 see SZ4978 : Hoy Monument Plaque and SZ4978 : Plaque on the North Face of the Hoy Monument

Bob Embleton

Trig Point on St Catherine's Hill

Close to St. Catherine's Oratory, a tumulus, and a modern transmitter. Looking north along the ridge towards the Hoy Monument.

Bob Embleton

Transmitter Tower and St Catherine's Oratory

Within a few hundred yards of each other we have a Bronze Age Tumulus, a Medieval Lighthouse, possibly the base of a windmill??, a trig point and the modern transmitter.

Bob Embleton

Base of Old Lighthouse on St Catherine's Hill

Begun in 1785 but abandoned before it was finished because the frequent fog at the site made it useless. Known as the mustard pot or the salt cellar (to go with St Catherine's tower being the pepperpot)

Bob Embleton

Tumulus near St Catherine's Oratory and Trig Point

Looking north from near the base of the transmitter.

Bob Embleton

St Catherine's Car Park

Quite an enterprise. the "Ice Cream" van was selling hot drinks, farm made diabetic ice cream, home made cakes, jars of pickled eggs, marmalade.... Niton Down in the background.

Bob Embleton

View from the slopes of St Catherine's Hill

From here virtually all of the south-west coast of the Isle of Wight can be seen from Blackgang Chine just below to Tennyson's Down in the distance.

Trevor Rickard

Near Hermitage Dairy Farm

A bridleway climbs the north-west shoulder of St. Catherine's Down towards Hoy's monument. It is constrained by this fence and beyond are some of the many pastures of Hermitage Dairy Farm.

Graham Horn