CULVER DOWN

{{Infobox Mountain
| Name = Culver Down
| Photo =
| Caption = The Yarborough Monument on Culver Down
| Elevation = 104 m (341 ft)
| Location = Isle of Wight, England
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| Topographic map = OS ''Landranger'' 196}
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| Grid_ref_UK = SZ631856
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'Culver Down' is a chalk down to the north of Sandown, Isle of Wight.
The down has a typical chalk downland wildlife on the uncultivated areas (generally the southern and eastern slopes). This includes plants such as Small Scabious, Harebell, Cowslip and Lady's Bedstraw. The chalk cliffs to the north and east are important nesting places for seabirds.
The northern side is intensively grazed by cattle, so fertilization and poaching of the soil, not to mention a spell as an artillery training ground, have all but eliminated the natural chalk ecosystem.
On Culver Down a number of unusual ant species live, including the semi-myrmecophilous ''Solenopsis fugax'' (Latr.), a thief ant which was recorded there several times by Horace Donisthorpe. The ant ''Ponera coarctata'' has also been taken from this location.
The public parts of this prominent headland are owned and managed by the National Trust. Spectacular views of the English Channel can be had.
For many years the whole site was a military zone and not open to the public. There are several historic military features on the down, a number of private dwellings, the Culver Haven pub, and the very visible Monument.

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The Yarborough Monument

The Yarborough Monument

The monument is a memorial to Charles Anderson-Pelham, the 2nd Baron Yarborough (later first Earl of Yarborough and also Baron Worsley), founder of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes. It was originally erected in 1849 on the highest point of Bembridge Down, 3/4 mile to the west, and was moved to its present position in the 1860s when its former site was used for the construction of one of the Palmerston forts.