St Boniface Down

St Boniface Down

Infobox Mountain
Name = St Boniface Down
Photo = Ventnor Radar.jpg
Caption = The radar station on the summit
Elevation = 241 m (791 ft)
Location = Isle of Wight, England
Range =
Prominence = 241 m (island highpoint)
Coordinates =
Topographic
OS "Landranger" 196
Type =
Age =
First ascent =
Easiest route =
Grid_ref_UK = SZ568785
Listing = Marilyn, County Top

St Boniface Down is a chalk down on the Isle of Wight. It is located close to the town of Ventnor, in the southeast of the island, and rises to 241 metres (791 feet), the island's highest point, one kilometre north of the town. There is reputed to be a wishing well on its southern slope, which requires the wisher to climb up from the south without looking back. In 1545 a French invasion force attempted this against a force of the Isle of Wight Militia commanded by Sir John Fyssher- which allegedly included several women archers- and were routed.In 1940 the radar station was bombed by Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers, which is reconstructed in the film "The Battle of Britain". The top is surmounted by a round barrow.

"St Boniface Down" is also the name and was the inspiration of a 1956 work by the English composer, Trevor Duncan.

Wildlife

"St Boniface Down" is home to the largest cricket within the British Isles, the great green bush cricket.

The area's fauna is also important, resulting in parts of the Down being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Rerences

* [http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1000773.pdf Natural England citation sheet for Ventnor Downs SSSI]


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