Parts of the down are private, including an area used as a covered reservoir, and some for agriculture. However, much of the down, approximately , is open to the public and is owned by the Isle of Wight Council and managed by Gift to Nature. The main area of Brading Down is fenced and grazed but access on foot and for horse riders is available from the many pathways entering the area, and the car parks bordering the main Newport to Brading Road.