The reserve is traditional heath moorland, sandwiched between two conifer plantations and bisected by the A27 public road. It comprises 5% of the Island's wet heath. Heather, purple moor grass and rushes with locally abundant bog asphodel dominate the wet heath.

Other species include devil's bit scabious, cross-leaved heath and heath-spotted orchids. The dry heath is dominated by bell heather, ling / heather and western gorse. In addition to the grouse and hen harriers, snipe and curlew may be observed. Adders tongue fern was found on the roadside verge in 1996.The area was liable to have become planted with conifers to link adjoining plantations and was bought by the Trust to prevent destruction of the moorland habitats. A public road and a public footpath cross the reserve.

Notable species include breeding red grouse, hen harrier, bog asphodel and heath spotted orchid.