Culver Down

The chalk downland at Culver is the most easterly point on the Island and is equivalent to West High Down in terms of birds likely to be seen. The majority of Culver Down, and the adjoining Bembridge Down, are owned by the National Trust and access is mostly unrestricted. Despite a significant amount of human disturbance, this can be a productive area, with early morning usually best. Birds tend to congregate in quieter areas of scrub and on whichever side of the Down is more sheltered from the wind. Autumn (early August - mid November) is always more productive than spring.

The road up to Culver Down can be found off the B3395 Sandown to Bembridge Road about 400m East of the mini roundabout at Yaverland.

Parking and amenities

Plenty of free parking is available at several locations on the Down with two purpose-built car parks beyond the pub. Alternatively park at the Yaverland car park (Pay and Display) at the Northern end of Sandown Bay and walk up from there. Refreshments are available from the Culver Haven Inn at the very top of the Down, along with a small cafe which is only open in the summer.

The nearest public toilets are at Yaverland car park.

What to look out for - Calendar

Spring (March - June)

At migration times many migrants can be seen including wheatear, ring ouzel, warblers including grasshopper, pipits, redstart, whinchat, pied and spotted flycatcher, hobby, plus occasional marsh harrier, merlin, short-eared owl, firecrest, Dartford warbler and woodlark. Try the pub and cottages for black redstart in March/early April and late October/early November.