About the reserve

Covering almost 30 hectares, this nature reserve consists of tranquil woodland, wet meadow and wildflower meadows. Part of the wetland is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the importance of these floodplain habitats. Management of the Alverstone Mead complex was handed over to the Trust by the Wight Nature Fund in 2021, along with a generous gift in the Will of Miss Joan Barnes. 

Come and see

The alluring Alverstone Mead sits within the Isle of Wight National Landscape and consists of four reserves - Alverstone Mead, Bensteads Marsh, Youngwoods Copse and Bretts Meadow. 

This peaceful site, adjacent to the Eastern Yar River, lies just a mile from Sandown and is a haven for wildlife including rare flowers and invertebrates, especially dragonflies and butterflies. Alverstone Mead is also a great place to see red squirrel and is home to dormice and several species of bat.

At the centre of the reserve is a hide, accessed via a raised walkway just beneath a canopy of surrounding trees, where visitors can enjoy views across the Mead watching a range of wetland and woodland birds such as kingfisher and treecreeper as well as red squirrel. 

Special features

•  Blue tit, great tit and robin can also be seen enjoying the tranquillity of Alverstone Mead woods as they feast  on all the berries, seeds, nuts and insects around the reserve.

•  Ducks, moorhen, coot and other  waders and wildfowl can be seen  along the bank of the Eastern Yar.

•  Red squirrel can be seen leaping  from tree to tree around the squirrel hide all year long.