The Capers of Cilla
- April 2026

Hola my friends,
The sun has been out, stop the press, el sol. And gosh, hasn't it been nice (especially for a continental dog like myself!) Because of the slight drying of the land Elaine suggested that we explore a few new walks on the island, my favourite this month being the coastal walk from Steep Hill Cove to Ventnor and back. 

Tucked away at the foot of the Ventnor Undercliff area, and only accessible by foot, Steep Hill Cove is one of the Isle of Wight’s true hidden gems. It's tiny with just a smattering of houses and two cafe bars including it's famous crab pasty shop. In the summer it is busy with tourists but in the winter you get the small bay and it's rock pools to yourself. Walking along the sea wall and up and over the grassy cliff to Ventnor is very safe underfoot and with barriers but it's also best to stay on the lead. Elaine says especially for me, muy bien Cilla! It's very lovely to walk by the sea.

It's about half an hour and you reach Ventnor, famous for it's botanical gardens (actually closer to Steep Hill and good for parking) and generally being a sweet seaside town. Obviously a pitstop for lunch in the doggy friendly Spyglass pub before bimbling back over the hill. I was a very tired pooch after that! Bravo.

Right off to nose over my island map for more off piste adventures,
adios rambling amigos,
Cills x

Good capers: sunshine, pub chips, rock pool sniffs

Bad capers: Forgetting water bowls, rocky beaches, crabs in rock pools