Managed for the welfare of a great variety of butterflies, with 35 species catalogued since formal recording began in 1994.
Although privately owned, butterfly walkers are free to roam northwards to Little Minterne Hill from the area of the Giant enclosure (part owned by the National Trust).
Regular cattle grazing is arranged by the land owner and Butterfly Conservation volunteers contribute scrub and tree clearance during the winter period.
Habitat and features
A very extensive region of sometimes steeply-sloped dominantly ancient chalk downland.
What to see
Butterflies
Moths
Burnet Companion, Cinnabar, Five-spot Burnet, Six-spot Burnet, Forester, Mother Shipton, Oak Eggar, Orange Underwing, Ruby Tiger
Other species
Kestrel, Raven, Swallow, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Siskin. Flowers include: Bird's-foot Trefoil, Cowslip, Devil's-bit Scabious, Hairy Violet, Horseshoe Vetch, Kidney Vetch, Common Knapweed, Rock-rose and Betony.
Photo gallery
Click thumbnails to view full-size images.
Ownership
Minterne Estates (Lord Digby)