Shirburn Hill Chalk Grassland

Shirburn Hill is a large area of chalk grassland on the Chiltern escarpment, which help to gives the scarp its distinctive appearance. As well as chalk grassland, there are also areas of scrub, ranging from a scattering in the grassland to dense areas and also areas dominated by box and juniper. Wild candytuft, which is a nationally rare species, is present in the chalk grassland. Other chalk grassland wildflowers found here include rock rose, autumn gentian, the rare Chiltern gentian, common spotted orchid, clustered bellflower, marjoram, eyebright and wild thyme. Leaching of the soil has led to the presence of acid grassland and heather; this type of habitat is called chalk heath and such acidic habitat is very rare in the Chilterns. Butterfly species seen here include the marbled white and the small skipper. Please keep to the Open Access Land and public footpaths as the land is under private ownership.
nationaltrust.org.uk/chilterns-countryside/trails/watlington-hill-and-the-wormsley-estate--an-emblematic-chilterns-walk

Very peaceful slope back down towards icknield way

Look out for the arrows on the trees to stay on course.