Natural chalk downland, untouched
by modern agriculture, is now rare. Renowned for its rich
flora and butterflies, chalk downland survives only in small,
isolated pockets. It once encircled Winchester, but most of it
has been lost to housing, roads, golf courses, afforestation
and agriculture. These losses make what is left very special.
Magdalen Hill Down on the eastern edge of Winchester is a fine
example, now restored to its former beautiful state by the
Hampshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation.
This nature reserve was established
in 1995 especially to protect butterflies. Even though the
South Downs way ends across the valley, geologically speaking
Magdalen Hill Down is at the end of the Downs. The reserve has
views over to St. Catherine’s Hill and down to Chilcomb. You
can take a footpath down to Chilcomb from here. Look out for
the ancient burial mounds and the sign that explains how this
area was transformed as an American camp during the Second
World War. |
