St Catherine's Hill Nature Reserve

About

St Cath’s Hill is a 58 hectare flower-rich chalk grassland nature reserve carefully managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. It’s home to some stunning wild flowers, and over 25 different species of butterflies including the marbled white, chalkhill blue and brown argus.

There are also ramparts of the Iron Age hill fort cut into the 70m high hill, buried ruins of the Norman chapel that gives the site its name and several rectangular burial mounds along Plague Pit Valley which mark the location of mass graves. It offers spectacular views over Winchester, the Itchen Valley and the surrounding countryside.

Opening hours - Open at all times

Price - Free, but donations to the Trust welcomed

Parking and access can be found from Garnier Road, Winchester, SO23 9PA.  It's quite a steep climb going up to the top, but the views are worth it.  There is 100+ steps on the north and south sides of the hill, or a flatter route via the surfaced footpath.