Arreton Down
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Arreton Down is on downland which is part of the main chalk ridge which runs across the Isle of Wight from east to west. It consists of calcarious grassland, with some scrub edges. It contains archaeological features. There are extensive views across the Island from the higher parts of the down. |
Arreton update
Our Arreton Down reserve has had a good few months so far; the hot, dry weather has favoured many insects and we have recorded a good number of field crickets singing from their burrows. After several years of recording one or two scattered across the downs having had numbers artificially boosted, then two years of hearing nothing at all, it was during the Walking Festival that they made themselves heard on a misty evening walk in May. At least three were heard, with one male cricket seen by the group, then on a return visit at least 7 or more could be heard across the steepest part of the down towards the East. We believe that the correct grazing pressure and cold winter followed by a dry spring could be just what they need and hope they continue to do well, re-colonising their past range.
On the same evening walk on Arreton we also came across feeding chalkhill blue caterpillars being attended by ants. The caterpillars are protected by the ants in return for a droplet of honeydew, secreted from a gland on the back of the caterpillar. The ants will attend the caterpillar while it feeds on horseshoe vetch leaves under the cover of darkness but, as down approaches, the ants will then lead the caterpillars away from the food plant and cover them over with soil and debris to keep them safe, only bringing them out to feed the following evening. Over the past three years the Down has produced incredible numbers of chalkhill blues and on one day in August last year an estimated count of 6000 was made by a visitor. The next highest count was 1000 on a mainland site – it will be interesting to see what number this year brings.
Click here for further information about wildlife and landscape features.
How to get there and getting around
The down can be accessed in several directions:
- From the west at SZ 533 874. This kissing gate (only) is accessible for mobility buggies with the use of a RADAR key, the parking here however is very limited to the southern side of the old chalk pit entrance.
- There is a stile further down Downend road this is not recommended as the road here is narrow with no footpath and fast traffic!
- To 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 at approx 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.
- Further to the east, a footpath leaves the village crossing the Bembridge trail and enters the reserve at approx SZ 540 870.
- Lastly on the northern edge of the down, just off the downs road, there is another kissing wicket at approx SZ 541 872.
Find your way there by SatNav
Our reserve descriptions include maps and information on how to get there. To make things even easier, we have set up POIs (Points of Interest) for some of our larger reserves, which you can download into a satnav.
Download to your computer, the files which contain the POI definitions for Garmin and TomTom satnavs and the small logo which will show where the reserve is. To download these files, right click on the links above and choose Save Target As ... (or similar).
You will need to consult the satnav manual to find out how to load the POIs (HIWWT_reserves.ov2 for TomToms or HIWWT_reserves.csv for Garmins) and the logo (HIWWT_reserves.bmp) onto the satnav device.
