Facilities & access

General

  • There are some great places to enjoy a picnic
  • Visit the restaurant at Compton Abbas Airfield (not National Trust)
  • Nearest toilets (not National Trust) are at the Compton Abbas Airfield restaurant (for customers only)
  • There is a pub in the nearby village of Fontmell Magna
  • Dogs are welcome under close control, as livestock graze the downs. Please dispose of dog mess responsibly. Any limited restrictions will be notified by appropriate signs
  • We are able to provide a limited number of guided walks with the warden throughout the year for groups. Please contact us for more information
  • Glow worms are plentiful in summer. The best time to spot them is at night when the female glow worms light up to attract the males
  • There is a geocache located on Melbury Hill (ST872197). Check out Geocaching.com for more information

Family & children

  • The downs are a fantastic place for young wildlife detectives
  • Look out for a variety of butterflies in summer, including: Chalkhill Blues, Meadow Browns and Marbled Whites

Access

  • The small car parking area at Spread Eagle Hill provides level access onto the downs
  • Accessible toilets are available for customers of the Compton Abbas Airfield restaurant
  • The downs comprise of open grassland with some well-used routes. There are areas of steep sloping downland, which will become muddy and slippery after wet weather
  • Main routes are accessible for most wheelchair users and pushchairs
  • At Win Green, a route leading to the topograph and trig point is accessible along flat grassland
  • Fontmell Down has a circular route along fairly level grassy paths, starting from the car park