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Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
Highlights: Butterflies, like the chalkhill blue, can be seen in significant numbers on the hill during the summer months, whilst reserve's woodland is home to dormice, badgers and deer.
Archaeology: The site has many overlapping layers of history. Bronze Age burial mounds (barrows) were built on the summit of the hill 2500 - 1500 BC. A few smaller barrows were partially destroyed when the ramparts of a fort were built 2500 years ago.
The fort is thought be the ruins of a settlement of a Celtic chieftain. It is made up of a bank and ditch enclosing approximately four hectares.
Danger. Some smaller depressions at the site were created during WWII when the army used the area as a mortar firing range. Some sections were never fully cleared so please keep to the well-marked paths that avoid these areas. Please report any metall or suspicious items, either to the voluntary wardens, English Nature staff, or to the police. Whatever you do, don't pick them up.
Location: Old Winchester Hill is between the A3 and A32 about 10 kms north of Waterlooville and 10 kms west of Petersfield. Warnford is the nearest town. From Warnford the site can be reached via minor roads. There is a car park at the north end of the reserve.
Click here for more details.
Old Winchester Hill National Nature Reserve
There is a wide range of habitats with clear differences between the plants occurring on the warmer, dry, south aspect slopes and plants on the steep north aspect zones, and plants in the damp in hollows. Flower-rich grassl has grown on the poor chalky soils. This is also an important archaeological site.Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.
Highlights: Butterflies, like the chalkhill blue, can be seen in significant numbers on the hill during the summer months, whilst reserve's woodland is home to dormice, badgers and deer.
Archaeology: The site has many overlapping layers of history. Bronze Age burial mounds (barrows) were built on the summit of the hill 2500 - 1500 BC. A few smaller barrows were partially destroyed when the ramparts of a fort were built 2500 years ago.
The fort is thought be the ruins of a settlement of a Celtic chieftain. It is made up of a bank and ditch enclosing approximately four hectares.
Danger. Some smaller depressions at the site were created during WWII when the army used the area as a mortar firing range. Some sections were never fully cleared so please keep to the well-marked paths that avoid these areas. Please report any metall or suspicious items, either to the voluntary wardens, English Nature staff, or to the police. Whatever you do, don't pick them up.
Location: Old Winchester Hill is between the A3 and A32 about 10 kms north of Waterlooville and 10 kms west of Petersfield. Warnford is the nearest town. From Warnford the site can be reached via minor roads. There is a car park at the north end of the reserve.
Click here for more details.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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