| DOWNLAND DISCOVERY |
A carpet of colour and life and beautiful views for all. |
| Dominating the Island's skyline from the Needles to the bleached
backdrop of Whitecliff Bay, the chalk downs form a green ridge, carpeted
for the most part by soft grasses and colourful wild flowers. |
| Sheep have grazed the open downland for hundreds of years. The fine grasses (which give the downs their springy turf) and wild flowers which are found here are the result of this grazing regime. Flowers characteristic of the chalk downs includeprimroses, cowslips and violets in |
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the spring, followed by yellow vetches, thyme and orchids
in the summer. The vetches are particularly important for they are the
food plant for the caterpillars of the blue butterflies which dance
on the breeze in the warm summer months. Many of these downs are in
the safe custody of the National Trust. |
| There is very good access to the downs
from a number of viewpoint car parks and picnic sites, especially on
the eastern downs where the ridge top road from Newport to Bembridge
offers a panorama of the Eastern Wight to the sea beyond.
In the West Wight, the 12 mile long Tennyson Trail runs along the downland spine with some of the finest views of the Island. It was named after the Victorian Poet Laureate who lived nearby and often walked this ridge declaring that the air was "worth sixpence a pint". From the Needles rocks, the chalk downs of Dorset can be seen on a clear day. These were linked to the Island until about 8,000 years ago. The southern downs also provide inspiration. Towering above Ventnor is St. Boniface Down which, at 233 metres (764 ft.), is the highest point on the Island, accessible by a steep winding road or footpaths. This is covered in purple heather and is best seen in August, with bluebells appearing in the spring. Here, the National Trust has introduced ponies to graze the heath and wild goats on the steeper, overgrown areas. These downs are more remote than the central ridge and provide a good place for bird-watchers. Remember to close all gates and keep dogs on a lead to lessen disturbance and prevent livestock escape. |