A charming Victorian seaside town built into the side of a cliff and full of character and steep, winding streets. The town's name comes from the numerous 'vents', or fissures, formed by springs in the local strata.

There is a delightful cliff walk westwards along the back of the Island to Steephill Cove and beyond, which provides access to the impressive Botanic Gardens at St Lawrence. Motorists might appreciate the leafy Undercliff Drive to Niton, stopping en route to scale the Cripple Path, which was used by early pilgrims after landing at Steephill.