Middleton Down Nature Reserve

Flowers, butterflies and a wonderful landscape sum up Middleton Down, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a superb example of the traditional chalk downland that was once widespread in Britain. In early May the slopes are covered with hundreds of cowslips and early purple orchids. In summer the Reserve is alive with colour from flowers and butterflies and the sounds of grasshoppers and Skylarks.

Wildlife

You can enjoy plants that include Early Gentian (Gentianella anglica), orchids such as Common Spotted (Dactylorhiza fuchsia), Bee (Ophrys apifera), Frog (Coeloglossum viride) and Autumn Lady’s-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis), Chalk Milkwort (Polygala calcarea), Burnet Saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifrage), Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata), and also the nationally rare Dwarf Sedge (Carex humilis).

Butterflies include the rare Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus), Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon), Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae) and Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) and Marbled White (Melanargia galathea). Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and Skylark (Alauda arvensis) fly overhead.

History and management

The fine grasses and flowers that provide the carpet of spring and summer colour need the poor soils that are a feature of chalk grassland to flourish. Grazing by cattle, sheep and Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) helps to prevent invasion by scrubs and coarser vegetation that would swamp these delicate plants. The Reserve consists of two steep-sided coombes linked by a much larger valley. On Lime Kiln Bottom there are signs of an ancient field system and a derelict chalk pit that was probably used to extract lime. Rats Castle is named after a former threshing barn.

Other information

Dogs are allowed but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Best time to visit: Any time of the year.
Habitat: chalk downland.
Specialities on the Reserve: Early Gentian, and Dwarf Sedge.
Location: To the south of the village of Broad Chalke, eight miles west of Salisbury. The Reserve can be approached on foot from Broad Chalke via Church Bottom track, a valley which runs south from the village. Start at grid reference SU043252 and walk for one mile. The Reserve entrance (kissing gates) will appear on your right.