A common blue butterfly rests on top of a yellow bird's foot trefoil — A beautiful common blue butterfly resting on bird’s foot trefoil | © National Trust Images / Ross Hoddinott

Isle of Wight

Paradise on the Isle of Wight butterfly walk

This moderate walk passes along the chalk ridge that runs through the middle of the Isle of Wight. This swathe of downland is one of the best places in the country for spotting wonderful butterflies: Adonis blue and chalkhill blue species live here in abundance, with large populations of small blue, dark-green fritillary and Glanville fritillary as well. Brown argus and grayling can also be spotted, and in late summer you can often catch a glimpse of the clouded yellow.

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Total steps: 9

Start point

Compton Chine/Afton Down car park, grid ref: SZ367854

Step 1

Cross the road from the car park, turn right on the roadside path until you see a chalky path rising diagonally on the right-hand side, signed bridleway F34.

Step 2

Follow this path uphill until you reach a track at the top.

The Downs

The chalk ridge stretching from Afton Down to Brook Down is a great place for butterfly spotting. Over 30 species have been recorded here, attracted by the profusion of chalkland flowers. Compton Down is one of Britain's best chalk grassland butterfly sites, with large populations of scarce species. Look out for them on the south facing slopes, in patches of gorse and in quarry and scree areas.

A view to the sea over the trimmed gorse on Compton Down — Downland managed for wildlife on Brook and Compton Downs | © National Trust / Sue Oldham

Step 3

Turn right (eastwards) along the track and continue through a golf course and one gate before eventually descending steeply. Dark green fritillary abounds amongst the cut gorse areas in July.

Downland management

Since the 1940s, Brook Down and Compton Down have been grazed by a free-ranging herd of Galloway cattle, run by the Trust's tenant farmers at Compton Farm. The cattle are well adapted to the challenging environment. They graze the slopes perfectly for the flowers and insects, producing a patchwork of gorse, scrub and open grassland. Gorse is also controlled by cutting and burning.

Step 4

20yds (20m) after a 'No entry for vehicles' sign, and just after a track joining from right, take a sharp left and round up into Brook Down quarry to explore the quarry slopes and gorse glades.

Step 5

Head back to cross the main track and bear left just before the 'No entry for vehicles' sign. Follow this grassy track upwards. Look out for Adonis blues. At the crest of the rise, next to some cattle pens, bear to the right of two gateposts marking the track leading down the hill.

Blue butterflies

Along two miles of the south-facing slope there is an almost continuous colony of the Adonis blue butterflies in late spring and early summer. In windy weather, look out for them around the more sheltered quarry bottoms. The males have an iridescent turquoise colouring. The closely related chalkhill blue is also abundant across the whole slope in July. The tiny charcoal and silver small blue is found around the quarries at Brook and Afton downs in May. You might also spot common blue and holly blue.

Step 6

Follow one of the lower cattle tracks parallel to the track. This is open downland with no defined footpaths. Aim just to the right of a line of bushes at the base of the hill in the distance, or the main road beyond. Follow this low level and narrow path as far as Compton Coombe, always keeping on the downs side of the fence line.

Step 7

You need to climb up the coombe and leave at the top right, about three quarters of the hill height.

Compton Coombe

This is the best known site for the Glanville fritillary. This rare butterfly is found in good numbers during boom years, straying onto the downs from its coastal strongholds, forming small colonies which last for a few years. The flight season varies from mid- to late May in good springs, to early to mid-June in late springs. They can also be found in mown or burnt gorse on Brook Down.

Step 8

Take a level path around the head of the combe, through gorse to a five-bar gate in the fence into an un-grazed section (the path drops downhill slightly before the gate). Continue straight on along the now well-defined grassy track, which descends eventually to the car park. This area is best for graylings, green hairstreaks and small blues.

Other butterflies

Hundreds of fast-flying dark green fritillaries, a large orange butterfly with green patches on the under-wing, can be found patrolling the short gorse areas on the top of the down. Harder to spot is the green hairstreak, which always settles with its wings closed, well camouflaged in the scrub. Five species of skipper can be found, together with many representatives of the brown butterfly family. The clouded yellow is a sporadic visitor, favouring short turf habitats such as downland slopes.

Step 9

During the Glanville fritillary season (June to early August), take a detour to Compton Chine via the road or the coast path from the car park. Go down the wooden steps. This is also a great bathing beach.

End point

Compton Chine/Afton Down car park, grid ref: SZ367854

Trail map

The footpath sign ahead beckons to the chalk cliffs of Freshwater Bay

Trail

Compton Bay and Downs walk

A 7.5 mile walk around Compton Bay and Afton Ridge, taking in far-reaching views and the dinosaur fossil beach.

Compton, Isle of Wight, PO30 4HB

01983741020

comptonbay@nationaltrust.org.uk

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