Knighton Down
Rising steeply above the most haunted part of the Isle of Wight, the new Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Knighton on the Isle of Wight
certainly generates strong emotions to those who visit here and are aware of its history. Whilst stories of thirteenth century murder, eighteen century suicides and nineteenth century lunacy abound, a stable feature in the stories has been the backdrop of an extra-ordinary landscape.
Knighton Down is 13 ha (33 ac) of unimproved chalk grassland which would have developed over centuries and stood in rugged permanence over the unfolding history in the valley below. Too steep to plough, the site remained a haven for wildlife whilst other similar sites were being destroyed after the Second World War. However the site was nearly destroyed by inappropriate agricultural practices in the early 1980's and was acquired by Southern Water to protect the aquifer supplying the Island's drinking water.
In October 2010, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Tubney Trust, the Southern Co-operative, The C Charitable Trust and the Wight Nature Fund, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust were able to open its seventh nature reserve on the Island. A steep south-facing slope, the site is one of a number of similar sites on the Island's east chalk ridge and boasts a great complement of flowers, insects and birds which thrive despite being surrounded by much more intensively managed farmland.
Species to look out for -
Bastard toadflax - Thesium humifusum
A low growing herb with a small white flower which has been become increasingly rare in Britain. Grows in profusion on the down, particularly on the western end.
Autumn gentian - Gentianella amarelle
A low growing, pink, late flowering relative of the more common blue gentians, this flower provides late colour to the downs well into September
Small flowered buttercup - Ranunculus parviflorus
Yet another small low growing relative of more common buttercups, this species has become rare on the Isle of Wight but thrives on the site at Knighton
Chalkhill blue - Lysandra coridon
The eastern chalk of the Isle of Wight revels in the splendour of clouds of these small blue butterflies. Caterpillars feed on horseshoe vetch which can carpet the downs in some years and the adults emerge to produce large populations in some years.
Brown argus - Aricia agestis
A member of the ‘blue'family of butterflies the brown argus is a small brown butterfly which makes its appearance in May through to September. Its caterpillar feeds on rock rose and common storks-bill in short grassland turf.
Yellowhammer - Emberiza citronella
An increasingly uncommon bird in Britain that is doing very well on the Island. Often seen on telegraph wires and powerlines its ‘little bit of bread and no cheese' call is a distinctive signal that spring is in the air
Skylark - Alauda arvensis
The most evocative sound of the British countryside and the inspiration for many poets and composers the song of the skylark is another characteristic sound of the Island's chalk grassland. Though declining in Britain the management of the down helps this species to thrive and spread to neighbouring farmland.
Spring
Birdsong including skylark, yellowhammer, common buzzard, wheatear, migrants such as willow warbler and chiff-chaff.
Summer
A host of butterflies including chalkhill blue, brown argus, marbled white, red admiral, painted lady, peacock and small tortoiseshell around the huge nettle bed
Autumn
Autumn flowers, bastard toadflax, autumn ladies tresses, many seed heads offering food to finches and other seed eating birds
Winter
Fine views across the southern western Isle of Wight from Newbarn Down across the Arreton plain and eastern Yar river valley.
How to get there
The reserve is situated on the Brading Road between Ashey Down and Brading Down. Parking can be accessed on the layby below the Ashey sea-mark and the reserve is across the busy road (please take care). The site is open access land under the CROW Act and public rights of way cross north - south between the Brading Road and Knighton Shute.
