Pick Your Walk.
In Dickens’ Footsteps
Celebrating nearly 175 years since Charles Dickens’ visit to Bonchurch, walk leader Sue will share her most recent discoveries about the holiday during 1849.
Before visiting the Isle of Wight, Dickens suffered from writer’s block while working on David Copperfield.
We will be introduced to several important new characters in the book during our visit to Winterbourne.
Many family friends joined the holiday, and you will discover the activities they revelled in.
The visit was influential in shaping the future of Undercliff as a hub for artists and writers.
The walk is illustrated with photos, drawings, and readings from the period bringing to life the holiday adventures.
We meet at The Pond in Bonchurch Village Road at the bench and notice board near the top of Shore Road. We begin by examining ancient local maps, while Sue discusses the history of the village and why Dickens chose to stay in Bonchurch.
We stroll onto Winterbourne, the Dickens summer holiday home, to hear of the many friends and family activities. There are more discoveries as we progress uphill to visit the holiday home of Dickens' friend, the illustrator John Leech and his wife, taking a route uphill via one of the secret paths of Bonchurch.
The tour group returns downhill, walking along The Pitts down the steep 101 steps.
We turn down Shore Road to the waterfront, where Sue will describe more holiday activities and finish with Sue's interesting recent discovery marking the holiday.
Length of walk: Approx 3 miles (around 2.5 hours)
Walk Cost: Payment required - £20
Deposit £20 per group; the last settlement date is 2 days prior to the walk. If the weather becomes unsuitable for walking, an alternative date can be arranged.
Please note, places on this walk will be confirmed once payment has been made directly with Sue.
Walk Start point: At the bench at the top of Shore Road by the pond in Bonchurch. PO38 1RG
Walk Finish point: Sea Front at Bonchurch.
Pace of Walk: Moderate. This walk will follow a moderate pace.
Walk grade: Moderate. Varying landscape with some more challenging slopes and steps. Suitable for keen walkers and anyone who is reasonably active.
Walkers need to be reasonably agile and mobile. Not suitable for walkers with mobility impairment.
Facilities:
Toilets along the route
Rest stops
Good walking footwear is recommended.
Takes in coastal scenery
There are steps on the route.
Nearest Bus Stop (Start & Finish):
Trinity Church is a 10-minute walk away. (number 3) - check your route: islandbuses.info
Bonchurch Discovery Walk
Legends of Bonchurch: Stories of Fame, Art, and Mystery
Step into the past and uncover the captivating stories of Bonchurch's most illustrious residents! This picturesque village was a magnet for Victorian icons, poets, artists, celebrated authors, and even royalty.
Join Sue Lowday as she breathes life into their remarkable histories, revealing unexpected twists, hidden connections, and astonishing tales.
With stunning illustrations, rare photographs, and haunting melodies composed by a local artist associated with two famous TV doctors, this immersive experience will leave you spellbound.
Don't just hear history, experience it!
The walk starts at the first bend at the top of Bonchurch Shute. There is a bench and a notice board.
We shall be walking downhill past the Bonchurch Inn and into the Pitts. There are some slight detours along the way, as you walk along short, steep, rubbly, and uneven paths to briefly visit the churchyard.
At the end of the Pitts, we will walk down the 101 steps and back towards the village pond.
The walk returns along the main village road before strolling by the 11th-century Church and down to the shore.
Length of walk: Approx 3 miles (around 2.5 hours)
Walk Cost: Payment required - £20
Deposit £20 per group; the last settlement date is 2 days before the walk. If the weather becomes unsuitable for walking, an alternative date can be arranged.
Walk Start point: At the bench at the bend at the top of Bonchurch Shute. PO38 1RG
Walk Finish point: Sea Front at Bonchurch.
Pace of Walk: Moderate. This walk will follow a moderate pace.
Walk grade: Moderate. Varying landscape with some more challenging slopes and steps. Suitable for keen walkers and anyone who is reasonably active.
Walkers need to be reasonably agile and mobile. Not suitable for walkers with any mobility impairment.
Facilities:
Toilets along the route
Rest stops
Good walking footwear is recommended
Takes in coastal scenery
There are steps on the route.
Nearest Bus Stop (Start & Finish):
Start - Top of the Shute. (number 3), 5-minute walk.
End - Trinity Church is a 20-minute walk away. (number 3) - check your route: islandbuses.info
Discover the stories of Bonchurch’s two historic churchyards—one an ancient burial site dating to the 11th century, the other a Victorian-era resting place.
As you stroll among weathered headstones and moss-covered monuments, you’ll uncover the lives, legends, and lingering mysteries of those who shaped this remarkable village. From poets and shipwrecks to stonemasons and those linked to ancient battles, each grave tells a story.
With Sue as your guide, these peaceful spaces come alive through tales of love, loss, conflict, and the enduring spirit of Bonchurch’s rich past.
We meet at the Entrance to the 11th-century Old Church.
Please note, there are two churches, and we meet at the ancient church. Check the map to ensure you know the starting point.
The walk takes us around the ancient churchyard and church, rebuilt in the 11th century! The surfaces can be slippery, so wearing good boots is essential. The walk continues up the steep slope to the ‘new’ Victorian churchyard, and a visit to the beautiful church.
Length of walk: 0.5 miles (2 hours)
Walk Cost: Payment required - £15
Deposit £20 per group; the last settlement date is 2 days before the walk. If the weather becomes unsuitable for walking, an alternative date can be arranged.
Type of Walk: Linear
Start Location: The 11th-century Church, at the bottom of Bonchurch Shute; follow the old signs.
Finish Location: The Victorian Parish Church on Bonchurch Shute
Pace of Walk: Gentle - This walk will follow a gentle pace.
Walk grade: Fairly Easy - Some steep pathways, walking on ground with average surfaces, in some weathers, they can be slippery.
Mobility level: Walkers require reasonable agility and mobility. Not suitable for walkers with mobility.
Dogs: Dogs are not allowed in the churchyards.
Facilities:
Toilet along the route
Rest stops
Good walking footwear is recommended
Nearest Bus Stops
Either - Trinity Church (20 minutes walk) or Top of Bonchurch Shute (15 minutes downhill walk) - No (3) check your route: islandbuses.info
The Souls of Bonchurch
Walking Information.
All walks take nearly 3 hours at a relatively slow pace, with some long pauses in areas that can be very chilly even on a sunny day, so please be prepared. At these times you may be standing up to twenty minutes while Sue describes the location and stories about the residents and visitors.
There is very uneven ground in several locations and a few steep ascents. There is a steep descent down the 101 steps when we walk down in to the village. There is also some slippery paths and there is loose rubble in some areas. Good walking shoes are essential and walking poles recommended if required.
I recommend that you bring layers of clothing, a hat and a drink and maybe a picnic for the end of the walk.
The Bonchurch Inn or The Seapot are highly recommended for a drink and food (check their opening times on the links below) and there are public toilets at the sea front at the end of the walk.
- If the weather is fine, the seafront is excellent for a picnic and swimming.
- I am insured to take guided walks, however this does not cover general mishaps or typical countryside perils.
- I usually start the walks at either 10am or 2pm, timing can be discussed.
- The Meeting Points are either:
"In Dickens’ Footsteps"- The top of Shore Road by the Pond in the Bonchurch Village Road.
Bus Route 3
Alight at Trinity Road and walk into the village along Bonchurch Village Road where you will see the pond, a five minute walk.
"Bonchurch Discovery Walk" - Walk down Bonchurch Shute to the first bend, there is a bench and notice board.
Bus route 3
Closest bus stop/s: 'Bonchurch Letter Box' at the top of Bonchurch Shute and walk down to the bend in the road for the "Bonchurch Discovery Walk", about 2 minutes.
“The Souls of Bonchurch“ - Either alight at Trinity Road and walk into the village along Bonchurch Village Road. Walk past the pond until you see a fork in the road. Turn right and follow the narrow road until you see the Old Church, a brisk 10-minute, mainly flat walk.
Or
Alight at the ‘Bonchurch Letter Box’ at the top of the Bonchurch Shute. Walk downhill on the Shute past the ’new’ church. Take the left turn past that church, where you will see a sign on the wall to the Old Church. Follow the narrow road down to the Old Church. This will also take about 10 minutes.
The walks are for over 16 years of age and walkers should be able to walk easily and quickly around the steep and sometimes slippery areas of the village.
Dogs are not allowed on the walks.
Parking
There are usually parking places available as you approach Bonchurch from Ventnor. If there are no spaces, carry on driving past the pond and take the first right and park in the area by East Dene and The Turrets. Alternatively there is more free parking towards the top of Bonchurch Shute near the Bonchurch Inn.
There is paid parking on Shore Road, and a car park on Leeson Road.
Click below to access useful resources.
Find your way with ease.
We want to make sure you have a smooth and stress-free start to your walking tour! To the left is a handy map showing the exact starting point, along with nearby car park options to make your arrival as easy as possible.
Tips for a Smooth Start:
Starting points are indicated with red markers.
Allow 10-15 minutes for walking from the bus stops or car parks to the starting points.
Try to arrive at least 10–15 minutes early to check in and get comfortable.
If you’re parking, take a moment to note the car park location so it’s easy to find after the tour.
Limited parking spaces are available along the Bonchurch Village Road.
Not sure where to go? No worries — just give me a call, and I’ll be happy to guide you!
I’m looking forward to seeing you soon — it’s going to be a great adventure!
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