Bouldnor Forest Nature Reserve

Bouldner Forest by Nat Rogers

Bouldner Forest by Nat Rogers

Bouldnor Forest is a fascinating nature reserve with a prehistoric past. Its variety of habitats including pine forest, heathland, cliffs and seagrass beds are home to plentiful wildlife.

Location

Bouldnor Forest
Yarmouth
Isle of Wight
PO41 0AB

OS Map Reference

SZ367899 (Centre is at SZ378903)
A static map of Bouldnor Forest Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
38 hectares
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Entry fee

Donations welcome
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Parking information

No parking available on site. Closest parking is at Bouldnor Viewpoint Car Park (SZ 366898) - take the coastal footpath into the reserve. For courses or events run at the Bouldnor Forest Centre, park in the Forest at the Loading Bay SZ 378 903.

Grazing animals

Our sites are grazed all year by livestock. Please follow the signage on site.

Walking trails

The surfaced forestry tracks are usually dry, but unsurfaced public footpaths can be muddy when wet.

Booking is essential if you are organising a self-led group or a school or community group.

Bikes are not permitted on this site.

 

Access

Wider forest tracks suitable for all terrain buggies / wheelchairs. The coastal footpath and the reserve are not suitable.

Access does not include within the compound area.

Car: From Yarmouth take A3054 towards Newport for ½ km. Viewpoint car park is on left.

Public transport: Take No. 7 bus (Southern Vectis) from Yarmouth or Newport. Ask for Bouldnor Forest stop on A3054

 

Dogs

Under effective control

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

Summer is an excellent time to visit; look out for red squirrels leaping between the branches and listen for nightjars calling in the evening.

About the reserve

Bouldnor Forest nature reserve is full to the brim with exciting wildlife. Red squirrels leap from branch to branch and unusual birds such as tree creepers and bullfinches flit between the trees. Why not download one of our wildlife spotter sheets before you go and see how many species you can identify?

Unusual birds such as crossbills and goldcrests are abundant, and during the spring a host of heathland rarities brighten the restored clay heaths – you’ll see pale dog-violet, heath dog-violet and cyperus sedge blooming along the coastal path.

Down on the beach you can uncover the Isle of Wight’s prehistoric past – look closely and you may find small fossils among the pebbles. Once you’ve finished your archaeological activities, you can look out across the Solent and take in the stunning views of the New Forest coast.

 

Contact us

Emma Hunt
Contact number: 01983 760018
Contact email: Emma.Hunt@hiwwt.org.uk

Location map

Map key

Map Key