Walk the Line: Shanklin to Ventnor

Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the closure of the Shanklin to Ventnor line

Join our knowledgeable guides to ‘walk the line’ from Shanklin to Ventnor. Discover 160 years of railway history as we commemorating the 60th anniversary of the last train which ran on the evening of Sunday 17 April 1966.

Starting at Shanklin, we’ll follow the line, now a popular cycle track, up Apse Bank, looking for relics of the railway’s history. Discover the remains of Wroxall station before continuing to the entrance to the 1,312 yard St Boniface tunnel. With the tunnel firmly out of bounds, we’ll take the steep climb over the top of the Down, looking for the two air shafts. After a picnic lunch on the hill-top we’ll descend to the site of Ventnor station where the tunnel entrance, coal merchant’s caves and Terminus Hotel remain as reminders of this iconic Island railway location.

Date: Saturday 18th April 2026

Start: Meet outside Shanklin station at 10:00

Finish: The walk finishes at the site of Ventnor station around 14:00. From here there are frequent buses to Shanklin and the rest of the Island.

Distance: 5 miles (8km)

Total ascent: 700 feet (210 metres). The walk is in two distinct sections – gentle gradients along the railway trail to Wroxall, then a much steeper ascent and descent over St Boniface Down.

Tickets: £7.50 (children free) – book in advance. All proceeds to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway Ashey Station appeal.

What to wear & bring: Sturdy footwear (some sections can be muddy), warm clothing and waterproof jacket, picnic lunch, water bottle