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The attractive seaside resort of VENTNOR sits at the foot of St Boniface Down, the island's highest point at 787ft. The Down periodically disintegrates into landslides, creating the jumbled terraces known locally as the Undercliff , whose sheltered, south-facing aspect, mild winter temperatures and thick carpet of undergrowth have contributed to the former fishing village becoming a fashionable health spa. Thanks to these unique factors, the town possesses rather more character than the island's other resorts, its Gothic Revival buildings clinging dizzily to zigzagging bends. The floral terraces of the Cascade curve down to the slender Esplanade and narrow beach, where former boat builders' cottages now provide more recreational services. From the Esplanade, it's a pleasant mile-long stroll to Ventnor's famous Botanical Gardens , where 22 landscaped acres of subtropical vegetation flourish. Ventnor's tourist office is at 34 High St (Easter-Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-3pm; tel 01983/853625). For accommodation , try the Spyglass Inn on the Esplanade (tel 01983/855338; GBP50-60), which has a few self-contained rooms with balconies, or, a few doors down, St Martin's (tel 01983/852345; GBP40-50), with sea views. East of Ventnor, in the quaintly villagey suburb of Bonchurch, the Horseshoe Bay House Cafe in Horseshoe Bay offers accommodation right on the beach (tel 01983/856800; GBP40-50). There's also an excellent cafe here, where you can eat seafood at outdoor tables from which there are 180-degree views. In Ventnor town centre, the Thistle Cafe , 30 Pier St, offers inexpensive seafood and vegetarian snacks and meals.
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