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← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Brighstone Forest

199 ha

📷 J W Parker · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome199 ha

Getting here

50.66215, -1.39028

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 🅿️Jubilee Car Park 31m away — 6 car parks within reach

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌳Large woodland — room to roam
Parking· Free

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Yellowhammer, Kestrel, Blackcap +61 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Yellowhammer, Kestrel, Blackcap +61 more · last seen 2025

Free

Insect spotting

Chalk and limestone grassland — chalkhill blue, adonis blue and rare moths; Insects — Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Common Blue +33 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Hiking

Named hiking route nearby: European walking route E9, Isle of Wight alternative

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

18 signed routes nearby · 2 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Isle of Wight Coastal PathWalking route113 km
Named routeLength 113 kmRound tripRegional walking route
Worsley TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Tennyson TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Challenging Chillerton Down Walk, Isle of WightWalking route14.8 km

A challenging circular walk that takes you off the beaten track, through woods & valleys, & across the Chillerton Downs with sea views. The route includes undefined paths, gates, bridges & a stile & can be slippery. Dogs welcome on leads around livestock

Named routeLength 14.8 kmDuration 03:30-04:00Round tripLocal walking route
Compton Bay and Downs Walk, Isle of WightWalking route12 km

Enjoy far-reaching views on this walk over Afton, Brook & Compton Downs. Follow in the footsteps of dinosaurs & look for their fossilised remains along the coast. Uneven pathways, hilly terrain, gates, stiles & steps. Dogs welcome on leads near livestock

Named routeLength 12 kmDuration 03:00-03:30Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

5 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Round the Island RouteCycling route
Named routeRef 67Regional cycle route
Route 22Cycling route
Named routeRef 22National Cycle Network
Cowes (Route 4)Cycling route
Named routeRef 4Local cycle route
Manors and Mills: Brighstone to Shorwell Quieter Lanes Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef Manors and MillsLocal cycle route
Main RouteCycling route1.6 km
Named routeRef 22Length 1.6 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🚵

Mountain biking

2 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Chalk Ridge ExtremeMountain bike route
Named route
Chevy ChaseMountain bike route
Named route
🐴

Horse riding

44 public paths nearby

Public paths
Pumpfold Lanebridleway · 108 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 108 mSurface dirtIncline upPath type: track
Tennyson Trailbyway open to all traffic · 125 m
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 125 mPath type: track
Pumpfold Lanebridleway · 57 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 57 mSurface cobblestoneIncline upPath type: track
Pumpfold Lanebridleway · 367 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 367 mSurface dirtIncline upPath type: track
Pumpfold Lanebridleway · 402 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 402 mSurface grassIncline upPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Steep path in Brighstone Forest

📷 J W Parker · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Steep path in Brighstone Forest

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Weather for this location

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Brighstone Recreation GroundUrban park2.4 km→🌱Mottistone GreenUrban park2.8 km→✦WESTOVERHistoric site1.7 km→🌱Calbourne Village GreenUrban park2 km→⛪St Peter and St Paul's ChurchReligious grounds2.9 km→✦SWAINSTONHistoric site3 km→

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