Brook Down

Sitting above Compton and Brook Bays is Brook Down. It is a working landscape with livestock grazing the land. The view down the valley looks over Compton Farm with its campsite towards Freshwater Bay and Tennyson Down in the distance. Its a great location for sunset especially during Winter when the sun will be setting to the South of Tennyson Down and therefore light is cast across the landscape right up to sunset. In Summer then sets to the north west and therefore the valley can be in shadow earlier.

Getting there:

Brook down is in the west of the Island close to Freshwater Bay. From Newport, the most direct is to head towards Carisbrooke on the B3323. At the Mini Roundabout by the Waverley pub carry on straight across onto the B3401 Middle Road.

The road passes through Calbourne and past Calbourne Mill. Shortly afterwards there is a turning on the left at Chessell. Its Signposted for Chessell Pottery and also Brook. Take this turning and follow the road. Just before the road bends to the left there is a track on the right with a wide opening where it is possible to park a few cars. Just be careful to make sure you are off the road and not blocking the farmers access gate on the left.

From the parking area the track heads west and shortly you pass through a gate, the track then climbs steeply up to the top of the Down. Just before you reach the top of the down there is a path cutting to the left which brings you to the area with views across Compton Farm towards Tennyson Down.

What to Shoot:

The obvious option is to shoot towards Compton Farm and Tennyson Down in the distance, where to shoot from offers multiple options and there rare many paths and tracks cutting through the area which can be used as foreground interest and leading lines.

The area has a large number of Rowan Bushes and Bramble areas and in autumn these can be full of berries which create additional options for foreground interest.

Further up on top of the Down is Five Barrows. These are Iron Age burial barrows and 360 degree views.

Looking away from Tennyson Down there are views across to Brook House with the Coastline towards St. Catherines beyond.

Other Options:

From the parking area it is possible to cross the road and pick up a footpath that leads up onto Mottistone Down which leads round to the Long Stone which is a famous Island landmark and makes for inserting photo options. Continuing along Mottistone down you reach Brighstone Forest which sits on top of the down and is an interesting area for woodland photography. This can work quite well on a rainy day as the woodland is often in the cloud on top of the hill.