Magdalen Hill Down

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.