Martin and Tidpit Downs

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox SSSI

|image= Lesser butterfly orchid (Platanthera bifolia) (geograph 1942616).jpg

|image_caption =

|name= Martin and Tidpit Downs

|aos= Hampshire

|interest=Biological

|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|SU 047 193}}

|area= {{convert|367.5|ha|acre|abbr=off}}

|notifydate= 1987

|map=[https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271001661%27 Magic Map]

}}

Martin and Tidpit Downs is a {{convert| 367.5 |ha|acre|abbr=off|adj=on}} biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-west of Fordingbridge in Hampshire.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1001661&SiteName=&countyCode=19&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title=Designated Sites View: Martin and Tidpit Downs | series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date = 15 May 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271001661%27 |title=Map of Martin and Tidpit Downs|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 15 May 2020}} Martin Down is a {{convert| 341 |ha|acre|abbr=off|adj=on}} national nature reserve{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteGeneralDetail.aspx?SiteCode=1006100&SiteName=&countyCode=19&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title=Designated Sites View: Martin Down | series= National Nature Reserves|publisher=Natural England|access-date = 23 April 2020}} and an area of {{convert|115|ha|acre|abbr=off}} is a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I.{{cite book|editor-first=Derek |editor-last=Ratcliffe |title=A Nature Conservation Review|volume=2 |publisher= Cambridge University Press|location =Cambridge, UK |year=1977|isbn= 0521-21403-3 }} Bokerley Dyke, a prehistoric linear earthwork and scheduled monument, runs through the site.{{cite web|url= https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1012135 |title= Bokerley Dyke, and a section of Grim's Ditch, a section of a medieval boundary bank, and two bowl barrows on and north west of Martin Down |publisher=Historic England| access-date= 24 April 2020}}

This site is rich in prehistoric earthworks, including Bokerley Dyke. It has chalk grassland, heath and scrub, with a rich herb flora. Sheep grazing is increasing the botanical quality of the grassland. There is an outstanding assemblage of butterflies, with 36 species recorded, including marbled white, dark green fritillary, silver-spotted skipper and Duke of Burgundy.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1001661.pdf |title=Martin and Tidpit Downs citation|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 15 May 2020}}