The Undercliff is an area of 'slippage', said to be the largest rotational landslip in Europe, that lies beneath the chalk downs, from which it is separated by dramatic vertical cliffs, and forms a sheltered, secret landscape with open sea views. Tilted towards the south, the Undercliff enjoys a Mediterranean-like micro-climate where subtropical bedding schemes luxuriated in Victorian gardens and still thrive in the present day Ventnor Botanical Gardens, although from time to time a harsher winter than normal will affect the more tender plants. Strong salt laden winds can also be a problem and woodland shelter belts were established around ornamental gardens in the nineteenth century.