Middleton Down

Middleton Down

Middleton Down nature reserve in Wiltshire. Credit: Steve Day.

This nature reserve in Wilton is a wonderful example of the traditional chalk downland that was once widespread in Wiltshire.

Location

Wilton
Wiltshire
SP5 5DT

OS Map Reference

OS map 130 Grid ref: SU047238

View on What3Words

A static map of Middleton Down

Know before you go

Size
25 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

Turn left onto Ox Drove and continue for 0.5 miles past farm buildings. Immediately after farm and before track fork, is a parking area. Please don’t block gates! Walk down track for 0.25 miles and entrance to reserve is on right.

Bicycle parking

Leave regional route 20 at Broad Chalke. Lock bike up in car park and follow walking directions as above.

Grazing animals

Yes

Access

Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. 
The slopes are very steep to climb.

Dogs

On a lead

See our FAQ's for more information

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Spring and summer. Nearby attractions include Rockbourne Roman Villa (7 miles), Larmer Tree Gardens (8 miles), Edmondsham House (8 miles).

About the reserve

The curves and dips of this peaceful and secluded reserve in the Chalke Valley offer stunning views across the countryside. The reserve is a wonderful example of the traditional chalk downland that was once widespread in Wiltshire and is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the rich variety of its grassland plants.

From May early purple and other orchids blossom on the slopes - common spotted, fragrant, pyramidal, bee, frog and autumn lady’s-tresses. Here too are clustered bellflower and the nationally rare dwarf sedge. Its many butterflies include the rare Adonis blue, common blue and marbled white. Most are attracted by the trefoils and vetches that provide food for their caterpillars.

On late summer evenings glow worms sparkle on the slopes. These are not worms at all, but beetles. The wingless females glow for a few weeks to attract the flying males, only to die soon after laying their eggs. Look out for a large, shiny oil beetle in early spring, or the narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth – a day-flying moth, which looks like a bee. Listen for the rustle of grasshoppers at ground level and the pure notes of the skylark above.

The reserve is grazed by our own Dexter cattle, giving us flexibility to vary the grass height to be best for insects. Since we acquired the reserve in 1988 biodiversity has increased. Grazing also prevents invasion by scrub and coarser vegetation.

Contact us

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Contact number: 01380 725670

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Map of Middleton Down

Map of Middleton Down