St Catherine's Point facts for kids
St Catherine's Point is the most southern tip of the Isle of Wight. It is found near the village of Niton. This spot is where the rugged "Back of the Wight" coastline changes into the calmer "Undercliff" area of Ventnor.
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Exploring St Catherine's Point
St Catherine's Point is a famous landmark on the Isle of Wight. It is known for its history and its role in helping ships at sea. The area has a long past, with signs of human activity from ancient times.
The Ancient Pepperpot Lighthouse
High up on St Catherine's Down, near the point, stands a very old stone tower. It is called St Catherine's Oratory, but locals often call it the "Pepperpot." This building was put up in 1323 by a man named Walter De Godeton. It is the oldest medieval lighthouse in Britain.
Walter De Godeton built the Pepperpot because he felt bad. He had taken wine from a shipwreck that was meant for a monastery. To make up for this, he was told to build a lighthouse. If he did not, he would be kicked out of the church. Fires were lit in the tower to warn ships about the coast.
Next to the Pepperpot, there used to be a small chapel, but it is gone now. Close by, there is also an ancient burial mound from the Bronze Age. This mound was dug up by archaeologists in the 1920s.
A Lighthouse That Was Never Finished
In 1785, people started building a new lighthouse at St Catherine's Point. However, this new lighthouse was never finished. Today, this half-built structure is known as the "salt pot."
St Catherine's Point as a Weather Station
St Catherine's Point often has a lot of fog. This makes it a tricky place for a lighthouse to guide ships. But, it is a good spot for a weather station. The weather station here is one of 22 places whose reports are used in the BBC Shipping Forecast. This forecast tells sailors about the weather at sea.
See also
In Spanish: Punta de St. Catherine para niños
