Things to see & do
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Fontmell Down and Harding's Down
Fontmell Down and Harding's Down
Explore the many circular walks that start from the car park at the top of Spread Eagle Hill. During the summer months it is a fantastic place to spot butterflies and plants which thrive on the chalk downland.
© NT Sarah Hobbs
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Compton Down and Melbury Hill South
Compton Down and Melbury Hill South
Here you will find one of the best displays of glow-worms during June and July, if the weather is good. It also attracts a wealth of butterflies such as chalkhill blue, Adonis blue and meadow brown. Melbury Hill marks the high point of a spur, offering sweeping views across much of the downs.
© National Trust, Clive Whitbourn
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Melbury Beacon
Melbury Beacon
At 863 feet above sea level, there are wonderful views to the north of the Saxon town of Shaftesbury and across to the surrounding counties.
© National Trust, Clive Whitbourn
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Melbury Down
Melbury Down
This stunning meandering dry valley cuts the ridge of Cranborne Chase, which straddles the counties of Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire. The fine chalk grassland is interrupted by a narrow band of flint scree, which unusually supports acid-loving heathers.
© Peak aviation
Fontmell Down and Harding's Down
Compton Down and Melbury Hill South
Melbury Beacon
Melbury Down
Activities
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Fontmell and Melbury Downs butterfly walk
A walk over the largest of the National Trust's chalk downland holdings, over a series of combes along...
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Fontmell and Melbury Downs wildlife walk
These Downs were bought in memory of English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy, to protect the landscape...
Don't miss
- A great location for butterflies, moths and glow-worms
- The chalk grassland and scrub habitats with many orchids
- The far reaching views across the Blackmore Vale with Mendips beyond