Spring walks on the Isle of Wight

With longer days, bird song in the air, bright buds, and new green leaves starting to unfurl, spring is a beautiful time of year for walking on the Isle of Wight. In the woods and across the downs, flowers are starting to blossom, and new life is emerging daily. With over 5000 acres of countryside in our care to choose from, we’ve picked some of the best walks for spotting the signs of spring.

A flock of lapwings have just taken off from the calm waters of Newtown estuary
Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall   Isle of Wight

Birdwatching walks at Newtown

Sun 1 Mar 10am, 2.5 hours. In spring, bird song fills the air at Newtown, but if you’ve ever wondered which bird sings which tune or how to identify one from another, then bring the family along to our gentle guided walk and find out. The walk is perfect for anyone new to birdwatching.

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Early morning light over Newtown creek
Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall   Isle of Wight

Dawn Chorus walk

Sun 3 May 5.30am, 2.5 hours, gentle. As the sun rises over the creeks, meadows and woods at Newtown, birdsong fills the air as the new day awakens. It might be an early start, but when you come along to our morning walk, you can experience it for yourself and discover why it's so special. And afterwards, there’ll be a well-deserved warming breakfast, which is just what you need after being up with the lark (£7 per person inc. breakfast, booking essential).

Discover the dawn chorus
Bluebells cover the floor in Borthwood Copse
Walking trail

Purple haze 

Downloadable, 45 mins, 1.2 miles easy. If you go down to the woods today….you probably won’t find a bear, but you’re more than likely to find a carpet of purple. From late April, a stroll in Borthwood will take you along paths and tracks that wind between delicate bluebells that cover the woodland floor. And as the copse is full of the sweet smell of these protected flowers, it makes a walk here a real treat for the senses.

Follow the trail
A view across the meadows of Newtown, Isle of Wight, towards the harbour at Big Camp 2015
Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall   Isle of Wight

Beauty, beasts and birds

Guided Fri 8 May 10am, 2.5 hours, easy, booking essential. Newtown has always been tranquil which makes it the perfect place for a spot of mindful walking. As we wander through the lanes and meadows we’ll take time to take in the gentle sound of bird song and connect with nature.

Save your place
A tree in a grassy field at Newtown set against a blue sky with white clouds
Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall   Isle of Wight

Wildlife of the woods and meadows

Guided Fri 15 May 2pm, 2 hours, moderate. In spring the lanes, meadows, creeks and woods of Newtown wake up after their winter sleep. Birds fill the air with song, buds burst forth and butterflies emerge ready for summer. Our guided walk will take you around the Island’s only National Nature Reserve to help you discover nature emerging for the year ahead.

Discover Newtown's wildlife
From Compton Down there is a fine view down the valley to Compton Farm and beyond to Tennyson Down
Compton Bay and Downs   Isle of Wight

Discover a Changing Landscape

Guided, 28 May 10am, 3 miles, moderate, booking essential. As the mighty seas crash against the cliffs at Compton, it creates a landscape that is constantly changing. On our guided walk, we'll explain our plans for the future of the area and how we hope to look after it for nature.

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Peacock Butterfly
Walking trail

Butterfly walk 

Downloadable, 2 hours 5 miles, moderate. After the cold of winter, the bright colour of butterflies dancing and flitting across the downs and meadows is a welcome sight. Although in late spring and summer our countryside is covered with these delicate insects, even in the earlier months of the years you may be lucky enough to spot them on a walk.

Follow the trail to see if you can spy them yet
Yellow flowers of a cowslips on the downs on the Isle of Wight
Walking trail

Golden mornings 

Downloadable, 1.8 miles, 1 hour, easy. Taking a gentle stroll on a sunny spring morning is a lovely way to start the day. Our trail across Culver Downs is suitable for those who are less mobile, so that everyone can enjoy the golden cowslips and primroses that cover the banks and ditches of the fort and surrounding downland.

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Old English goats with kid
Walking trail

High on the hills 

Downloadable, 2 hours, 4.5 miles, challenging. It’s not just the woods that are covered in bluebells in spring. High on Ventnor Downs you’ll also find a profusion of purple dancing in the breeze and shining in the sun. And if you’re really lucky you may even spot some other recent arrivals: baby kids from our herd of Old English feral goats.

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The view from Mottistone Down
Walking trail 

Spring walking

If you’d like to discover more of our countryside, we’ve plenty of other walks to choose from. You can download your favourite, and print it out, so it’s even easier to explore the beautiful Isle of Wight landscape this spring.

Find more walks to choose from