Autumnal walks on the Isle of Wight

Now is the perfect time of year for donning your wellies and taking a walk through the Island’s woodlands - here are a few of Hose Rhodes Dickson’s favourite spots for a great autumnal stomp…

If spotting a red squirrel is your goal, Alverstone Mead is the best chance. Part of the Alverstone Marshes, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, this area is nestled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Discover tranquil woodlands, wet meadows, and wildflower havens teeming with rare flowers and invertebrates. Spend some time in the hide, where you might spot not only a squirrel but also a kingfisher or treecreeper.

The Isle's largest forest, Brighstone Forest, treats you to breathtaking vistas of the surrounding countryside. Spanning hilly ridges from Chessell to Idlecombe, you'll encounter ancient burial barrows and get a taste of the renowned Tennyson Trail. The view from the forest's southern edge is particularly stunning, offering glimpses of the coastline and the scenic Military Road.

On the outskirts of Yarmouth, Bouldnor Forest Nature Reserve showcases diverse habitats, from heathland to pine forests, seagrass beds, and cliffs. Wildlife enthusiasts can download a birdwatching checklist from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Here you can spot goldfinches, bullfinches and woodland butterflies. Follow the coastal path to a secluded beach, ideal for shell collecting and fossil hunting.

Explore Parkhurst Forest, a blend of ancient woodlands and heathlands. Managed by Forestry England, this site once served as a medieval hunting ground. As you wander the myriad paths, don't miss the red squirrel hide nestled among the trees. Keep your eyes peeled for nightjars and long-eared owls. Follow the squirrel carvings that adorn the route, and you might just spot one!

Borthwood Copse near Sandown is part of the medieval forest that once blanketed the eastern end of the Island and is now a haven for ancient oak trees, chestnut, and hazel coppice. Managed by the National Trust, it maintains a thriving population of bluebells, red squirrels, dormice, and woodland bats. Rare beetles and insects, dependent on decaying wood in older trees, also call this place home. A small section of the Copse is dedicated to mountain biking and BMX jumps, so check before you go.