Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copse Nature Reserve

Red squirrel © Peter Cairns/2020VISION

Red squirrel © Peter Cairns/2020VISION

Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copse Nature Reserve

Experience the peace and tranquillity of these two connected reserves. Eaglehead and Bloodstone copses create an ancient woodland, and flower-rich grassland is found where the reserves meet.

Location

2 miles from Brading
Brading
Isle of Wight
PO36 0NT (to main road through Knighton)

OS Map Reference

SZ 582 877
A static map of Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copse Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
9 hectares
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Entry fee

Donations welcome
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Parking information

Parking available in small lay-by near reserve entrance on Brading Downs Road and in lay-by below Ashey Down Sea Mark.

Grazing animals

Our sites are grazed all year by livestock. Please follow the signage on site.

Walking trails

A public footpath runs through the woodland.

Access

Footpath is narrow, uneven and can be muddy in places when wet.

Access via Brading Downs Road and footpath B24. No local public transport.
 

Dogs

Under effective control

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Spring brings a stunning display of bluebells, wood anemones and primroses. Visit in summer to see woodland butterflies such as silver-washed fritillaries and white admirals and see red squirrels foraging in autumn.

About the reserve

Eaglehead and Bloodstone copses form a splendid ancient woodland, home to red squirrels, dormice and a variety of bat species. In spring the woodland comes to life with primroses, wood anemones, bluebells and strange but beautiful toothworts. During the summer silver-wash fritillaries and white admiral butterflies can be seen fluttering in the glades.

Where the reserves meet is an area of flower-rich grassland, which attracts a myriad of butterflies – a remnant of what was once very common along the chalk ridge. This area is also home to a small flock of Wildlife Trust Hebridean sheep, as well as autumn gentians and chalk hill blue butterflies.

Legend has it that the name Bloodstone came about after an ancient battle that turned the stones in the stream red with the blood of the fallen. In fact, it is an alga that turns the stones red!

 

Contact us

Emma Hunt
Contact number: 07741 312892
Contact email: emma.hunt@hiwwt.org.uk

Environmental designation

Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB)
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Location map

Map key

Map Key