The Downs

Brading Down lies on the western side of the Isle of Wight on a south-facing slope 60-123 metres above sea level, approximately three miles inland on the west side of Brading. The area is some 80 acres (32.37 hectares), of which 45 acres (18.21 hectares) are fenced.

It lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC, C161).

Brading Down is owned by the Isle of Wight Council and managed by its Parks and Countryside Section under an Environmental Stewardship agreement, which requires traditional management of the fenced areas of this chalk downland by grazing and a programme of scrub removal.

Visitors have a choice of parking spots along the ‘Viewing Area’ which provides wonderful views over Sandown Bay, with the Roman Villa situated at the foot of the Down.

Information leaflets

A series of leaflets covering Brading Down’s History, Geology, Character, Ancient Field System, Ecology, Butterflies, and Plant and Animal Checklists may be downloaded from this site by clicking on the title pages below. These leaflets form part of Brading’s LID Project for Schools in course of production, but will be of general interest to visitors too.