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St Catherine's Hill

Monthly Update

Chalk hill blue by Micky Pape

There is a typical midsummer feel to the hill at the moment. Chalkhill blue and marbled white are among the many butterflies dancing over the down, fuelled by the nectar provided by a profusion of wildflowers. The restored bypass beside the navigation is looking particularly colourful with purples of the marjoram and knapweed, whites of the wild carrot and yarrow and yellows of the St John's-wort and ladies bedstraw. Look out for the nodding purple bell-shaped flowers of the harebell over the short turf of the hill. How such a delicate flower survives on such a breezy site is amazing.

The resident Shetland sheep flock were shorn in June and there are a number of brown and fawn fleeces still available to hand spinners for a small donation. Call the South Downs Reserve Officer on 07831 692963 or email michaela@hwt.org.uk

OS grid reference SU 484 280

A 58 hectare flower-rich chalk grassland with an abundance of wild flowers and butterflies. This is a great place to enjoy wildlife, ancient monuments and the most spectacular views over Winchester, the Itchen Valley and the surrounding countryside. St Catherine’s Hill is a fabulous place to enjoy a summer walk and picnic.

Click here for more on wildlife and landscape features and read our latest news on the blog.

Getting there

  • OS grid reference SU 484 280. The reserve is one mile from Winchester city centre. There are regular trains to Winchester from Southampton, Portsmouth and Basingstoke. 
  • From Winchester city centre take the bus to St Catherine’s Park’n’Ride. On Garnier Road head downhill to the river. 
  • There is parking off Garnier Road, just ¼ mile west of M3 J10. Follow the road signs on local roads.

St Catherine's Hill by Albert RobertsGetting around

  • The hill stands 70m above the river valley with 100+ steps on the north and south sides. There is a flatter route via the surfaced footpath parallel to the Itchen Navigation, then along the unsurfaced bridleway along Plague Pit valley.
  • There are worn grass paths that crisscross the hill, valley and ridge. Beware of rabbit holes if venturing off the paths 

Contact information 

For further details of conditions on site contact the Reserves Officer on 07831 692963. There are also volunteer warden opportunities at St Catherine's Hill, please click for more information.