Project

Our Work on Headon Warren

Last updated:: 04 November 2024

Image of purple heather on Headon Warren with the Needles in the background — Headon Warren | © Laura McConnell

Headon Warren, home to the Isle of Wight's largest maritime heathland and rare limestone grassland, is facing threats from encroaching scrub and limited heather regeneration. To restore these valuable habitats, we’re working in partnership with our tenant farmers and Natural England, reintroducing grazing and careful conservation management to help preserve and revitalise the landscape.

Headon Warren is one of the Island’s most iconic landscapes, rising above Alum Bay with breathtaking views over the world-famous Needles. This heather-clad gravel ridge, combined with the chalk cliffs of Tennyson and West High Down, is a must-visit destination on the Isle of Wight, renowned for its natural beauty. But beyond its stunning scenery, Headon Warren is a rare habitat of national importance.

Why is Headon Warren so special?

Headon Warren is home to the largest area of maritime heathland and rare limestone grassland on the Isle of Wight. These habitats are incredibly valuable but are currently under threat. Over time, scrub and mature trees have encroached upon the land, and a lack of heather regeneration has further contributed to their decline. For many decades, grazing management was absent on Headon Warren, but we now have an opportunity to restore these habitats through careful conservation efforts.

Restoring the habitat

The project to revitalise Headon Warren is being led by Warren Farm in partnership with the National Trust and Natural England, as part of a Countryside Stewardship scheme. Our main goal is to restore and enhance the habitat and landscape of Headon Warren, preserving its beauty and ecological value for future generations.

Picture of a man and a woman and a dog on a footpath near some heather with The Needles in the background — Warren Farm Tenant Farmers | © Lucy Williams

What will this mean for visitors?

Visitors to Headon Warren will continue to enjoy its natural beauty and they will notice a wilder, more natural landscape as cattle and sheep are reintroduced to graze the area, reflecting how the land would have looked thousands of years ago. These native breeds of grazing animal will bring a dynamic, living feel to the site, helping to restore and maintain its unique habitats.

In the early stages, visitors might see some mechanical activity, essential for setting up the conditions needed for habitat recovery. Over time, grazing animals will become a familiar part of the landscape, and the restoration of species-rich grassland on the slopes below will be visible.

Access to the site will remain largely the same, with open access maintained throughout. However, there may be brief, temporary restrictions in certain areas to allow for safe and effective grazing. These will be minimal and carefully managed to ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy the site.

Dogs are still welcome at Headon Warren, though we ask that they be kept on leads, particularly during nesting season and around grazing livestock. The project will also benefit protected species, ensuring their habitats are preserved for years to come.

Looking Ahead

As the project moves forward, we aim to make Headon Warren more resilient to climate change, supporting a greater diversity of species, and protecting this cherished landscape for the future.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our work at Headon Warren, please get in touch with us at isleofwight@nationaltrust.org.uk