St Catherine’s Oratory is one of the Isle of Wight’s distinctive historic landmarks. Known as the Pepperpot, the medieval octagonal tower stands on St Catherine’s Hill overlooking Chale Bay.
A tower with a story
English Heritage dates the oratory to 1328. Its account links the building to local landowner Walter de Godeton and wine taken from a shipwreck. The surviving tower is thought to have served as a lighthouse. A Bronze Age burial mound nearby adds another layer to this hilltop’s history.
Plan your visit
English Heritage currently lists free entry at any reasonable time during daylight hours. The address is Blackgang Road, Chale, PO38 2JB. Access involves a steep staircase from the car park and a walk of around 400 metres across fields. Surfaces can be uneven. Dogs must be on leads and livestock may be present.
Check the latest access guidance and weather before setting out. Choose suitable footwear and allow enough daylight for the return walk.
The accompanying image is an original illustration, not a documentary photograph or an architectural reconstruction.
Make it part of an island break
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Sources: English Heritage visitor information and English Heritage history. Checked on 3 November 2026.