[1] With your back to the church (SZ505767), turn right to the junction with the main road. Continue in the same direction, passing Niton Barns on your right. After the last house, turn left up the footpath which leads across fields to the Coast Path. Turn right along it, with St Catherine’s lighthouse soon visible below you situated in the area called the Undercliff.
(A) The Undercliff is the name for the narrow strip of land slipped terrain, lying between the sea and high cliffs, which stretches for some eight miles from Luccombe Bay in the east to Blackgang in the west.
Once above Blackgang, ignoring the theme park below you, there’s a splendid view along the coast towards the distant chalk cliffs.
Bear right to the car park.
[2] Cross the road, climb the steps and follow the path diagonally left up the fields towards what is known the Pepper Pot - an octagonal tower resembling a stone rocket.
(B) This was built as a lighthouse in the 14th century (along with an adjacent oratory, demolished by Henry VIII). A new lighthouse was begun nearby in the 18th century (the remains of which are at the base of the nearby mast), but being located so high, both were often shrouded in mist. St Catherine’s lighthouse, built at sea level, followed in the 19th century. There are wonderful views from up here.
Turn left at the fence and head downhill along the ridge-top path. Bear left to go through a gate and continue north along the delightful grassy ridge – carpeted with bluebells in spring – towards the Hoy monument. The inscriptions on either side are somewhat incongruous.
[3] Just south of the monument, follow the bridleway east down through the woods, bearing left at the bottom to follow the wall round on your left and continue ahead on a drive to a house. Keep ahead along the bridleway, turn left at the next T-junction, then immediately right. The path leads to a timber yard at Moorhills farm. Continue down the drive to the road. Cross diagonally left and follow Southford Lane to the next road. Again, cross to the left and follow the (overgrown) footpath signed for Stenbury Manor. Turn right at the track passing Stenbury Manor Farm, and continue east via Newbarn Farm and up the grassy track to the top of Stenbury Down. Turn left to visit the obelisk and enjoy the splendid views.
[4] Retrace your steps past the masts and then follow the ridge-top track (Stenbury Trail) southwards to the road.
[5] Cross and turn briefly left, then right up steps through a gap in the hedge onto the path. Turn right and follow the cliff-top path, which joins the Coast Path back to Niton, forking right, as signed.
If you have the time and energy at the end, it’s well worth walking down to the lighthouse at St Catherine’s Point.