Arreton Down Nature Reserve
Arreton Down Nature Reserve
Location
OS Map Reference
SZ 533875
Know before you go
Entry fee
Donations welcomeParking information
Parking is available at the entrance to Downend Chalk Pit or at Arreton Village Car Park next to the White Lion pub.Bicycle parking
Cycling on site is not permitted.Grazing animals
Cattle grazing from October to March.Walking trails
There are footpaths across the site, but much of the ground is sloping and uneven.
Access
Access information below.
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open accessBest time to visit
Arreton Down is beautiful all year round, but especially in the summer when chalkhill blue butterflies are on the wing, field crickets are chirping and the summer flora is in bloom.About the reserve
Arreton Down nature reserve is home to a huge variety of plants, including horseshoe vetch, gentians and orchids - and that's just a handful. More than 30 different plant species have been found in one square metre! This abundance of plant life supports a wide range of invertebrates, including great green bush crickets and field crickets.
Arreton Down is famous for its butterflies. Tens of thousands of chalk hill blue butterflies call the reserve home, along with an impressive number of adonis blues, brown arguses and dingy skippers.
Yellowhammers, goldfinches and linnets are also abundant, and migrants such as wheatears, whinchats, redstarts and spotted flycatchers are frequently spotted around the reserve. Ravens, kestrels, buzzards and barn owls may be seen soaring overhead throughout the year.
The reserve is rich in history as well as wildlife. The land is strewn with features relating to past land use, including holloways, barrows and ancient monuments.
Arreton Down is a wonderful place to get in touch with your inner explorer. Why not bring one of our spotter sheets with you and see how many species you can identify?
Species
Habitat
Contact us
Environmental designation
Location map
Map Key
Access information
From the west at SZ 533 874. This kissing gate is accessible for mobility buggies with the use of a RADAR key.
There is a stile further down Downend Road - this is not recommended as the road here is narrow with no footpath and fast traffic!
From the south of the down a footpath is located in the village of Arreton, beginning by the White Lion pub. There is parking opposite the pub around SZ 534 866. This route passes the old church and manor, then gently climbs through fields to a kissing wicket at the foot of the down.
From the south east, a footpath leaves the village, crosses the Bembridge trail and enters the reserve at approximately SZ 540 870.
From the north, just off the road, there is another kissing wicket at approximately SZ 541 872.
There is a small area at the western end of site which is suitable for wheelchair access. The rest of site has steep slopes and uneven terrain.