Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall

A quiet backwater with a busy Medieval past, now bursting with wildlife and a town hall with no town...

More about this place

Bird watcher with binoculars

Birdwatching walks at Newtown 

Various dates. Guided. 3 miles. As autumn makes way for winter, so to do the last of the summer birds for winter migrants at Newtown. The skies above and creeks below fill with birds as the last autumn leaves fall in the woods. We’re running a series of easy guided walks throughout the season so that you can spot, month after month, the changing birdlife at Newtown. Each walk is expected to last around two and a half hours and is perfect for anyone new to birdwatching.

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Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall

Things to see and do 

Geese fly past as dusk settles at Newtown

Winter birdwatching at Newtown 

Signalling the arrival of the colder months, the appearance of winter migrants at Newtown is a spectacular sight. Wildfowl and waders fill the creeks and estuary making it the perfect place for a spot of winter birdwatching.

Two walkers stride out along the harbour wall at Newtown with water on both sides

Enjoy the estuary... Newtown walk 

Take a gentle stroll through the varied habitats of the Island’s only National Nature Reserve, and visit a Town Hall with a colourful past.

A view over the quay at Newtown National Nature Reserve, Isle of Wight

See what you can get up to 

Spend the day at our nature reserve and you'll discover great walks, bird hides and interesting history.

The interior of the Old Town Hall at Newtown, Isle of Wight

Things to see and do at Newtown Old Town Hall 

See how you could spend the afternoon at Newtown's Old Town Hall.

Side view of the exterior of Bembridge Windmill, Isle of Wight

Take a look at all of our Isle of Wight places 

From tiny town halls, to beautiful beaches and miles of countryside, what will you discover on your visit to the Isle of Wight?

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Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall

What's on 

People on the beach at Compton Bay, Isle of Wight

Winter walks on the Isle of Wight  

A walk across a magical frost covered landscape is the perfect way to warm through on a chill winter’s day. Wrap up warm and join one of our guided walks, or download one of our suggested trails, and discover the beautiful Isle of Wight countryside this winter.

Upcoming events

See all events

Birdwatching Walks at Newtown

Thu 27 Dec 2018
10:00-12:30
Learn all about birds, from spotting them to song identification, and discover the winter migrants of Newtown.

Guided Walk: Birdwatching at Newtown

Sun 27 Jan 2019
10:00-12:00
Learn all about birds, from spotting them to song identification, and discover the winter migrants of Newtown.
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Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall

History

The Old Town Hall

Inside Newtown Old Town Hall, Isle of Wight

Newtown: a hall with no town 

Newtown's Old Town Hall has existed on this site since the 13th century but the road to its ongoing survival hasn't been smooth.

An old photograph of Newtown Old Town Hall in the late 1920s

Newtown Old Town Hall - saved by Ferguson's Gang 

In the late 1920s, Ferguson's Gang saved our Old Town Hall. Find out why they did it and who they were.

The National Nature Reserve

Early morning light over Newtown creek

Walters Copse 

Discover how Walters Copse has changed from meadow land in the middle ages to the special group of trees we now find here today.

A clear view over the salt pan lagoon

The salt industry 

Although no commercial salt has been made here for over 80 years, the salt lagoons were once part of a thriving industry.

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Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall

Our work

The harbour wall at Newtown National Nature Reserve at low tide

Help us protect Newtown National Nature Reserve  

As the only National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight, Newtown is an important site for wildlife, nature and history. But now part of it is under threat and needs your help. We need to raise £42,000 over the next two years to ensure that this special place is protected for the future.

Our Hebridean sheep at Newtown where they graze in the meadows

Our flock of Hebridean sheep on the Isle of Wight 

Meet our flock of Hebridean sheep and discover what's so special about them and how they help us care for our Nature Reserve.

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Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall

Places to stay

The dining room of East Rosetta Cottage on the Isle of Wight

Enjoy a holiday near Newtown 

Watch boats sail past from your window when you stay at either Rosetta Cottage or East Rosetta Cottage in Cowes, just a short drive along the coast from Newtown.

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Newtown National Nature Reserve and Old Town Hall

Get involved

Aerial viewof the Needles Headland, Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Association 

Find out more about how you can join the Isle of Wight Association, and support the work of the National Trust.

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