Wight Conservation - Summer walks programme

We have put together a programme of four walks for this Spring and Summer which aim to show the diversity of Wight Conservation’s landscapes and illustrate how the various conservation projects actually work on the ground. The walks are all led by one of Wight Conservation’s staff who will talk about the history and archaeology of the area as well as landscape restoration and, most important, explain how farming for wildlife can be successful. As always on these walks there is plenty of opportunity for informal discussion on a wide range of conservation issues.

On two of our walks this year we are linking up with our neighbours, The National Trust. The walks will be jointly led by ourselves and a National Trust Warden. We will aim to show how our individual projects complement each other as well as demonstrating how a privately funded conservation organisation can work closely with a national public body.

As well as these guided walks we suggest two walks, one at Wroxall and one at Mottistone, for those who would like to go on their own. They are all on public rights of way and cross both Wight Conservation and National Trust landscapes.

Sunday 8th May at 10.30 a.m.:
WROXALL WILDFLOWER WALK

This walk takes in the bluebells and cowslips as well as the history and archaeology of the area. A relaxing stroll of about 2.5 hours duration. Meet at Wroxall Cross Farm, Manor Road, Wroxall (GR 557793). This walk is also part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival.

Saturday 2nd July at 10.30 a.m.:
THE STORY OF MOTTISTONE DOWN

Dramatic landscape views over the Solent and the Channel as we look at the landscape restoration, wildlife, history and archaeology of Mottistone Down and Common. Led jointly with the National Trust. Duration: 2 hours (approx). Moderate climb to the top of the down. Meet at the Jubilee car park off Lynch Lane, Calbourne to Brighstone road (GR 420846).

Thursday 7th July at 6.00 p.m.:
TWILIGHT IN THE WOODS

An atmospheric walk in ancient semi natural woodland to look at restoration in Rowlands Wood and Chillingwood, parts of the Island not normally open to the public. Places limited. Please ring 01983 760773 to book and for the location of the meeting point.

Saturday 3rd September at 10.30 a.m.:
THE WROXALL HORSESHOE

This walk examines the wildlife, conservation and history of this stunning landscape and illustrates how farming for wildlife, biodiversity and habitat conservation can be successfully achieved in the same area. Led jointly by The National Trust and Wight Conservation. Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours. Moderate steep climb involved. Meet at Wroxall Cross Farm, Manor Road, Wroxall (GR 557793). Ample parking.

Self Help Walks

Please see the maps. All these walks are on public rights of way and are clearly way marked on the ground. It is a good idea to take your own map and we recommend the OS Explorer OL29 map (2.5 inches to 1 mile scale).

MOTTISTONE DOWN

Start at the Jubilee car park. The orange line indicates the short walk (about 2 hours). The dotted orange line across Mottistone Down indicates that you are free to choose your route as this is National Trust land. We would ask that you keep to the designated footpaths once on Wight Conservation’s land. At the site of the barrows on the top of the down you will see an interpretation panel which we hope you will find useful. The blue route is an extended walk (about 1 hour extra) and goes down to Brook Shute where a small distance of road work is required.

WROXALL

Start and finish at the Four Seasons public house, on the junction of Manor Road and the B3327. A short distance of roadwork is required before you join the rights of way system. The orange route will take you about 2.5 hours and the extended blue route about another hour.

Both walks also take in National Trust landscapes and the areas in yellow indicate land now subject to CRoW access.

On all our walks we strongly recommend suitable footwear and wet weather gear. Even in summer there can be muddy patches and the weather can change very quickly up on the downs.