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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.

Total steps: 9

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.

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.

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.

Two chalkhill blue butterflies (left) and a resting small blue butterfly with its wings closed
Chalkhill blues (left) and small blue butterfly (right) | © Matthew Oates

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.

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.

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

Paradise on the Isle of Wight’ butterfly walking trail map
Paradise on the Isle of Wight’ butterfly walking trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey

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Get in touch

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We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

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