エクストンの天然記念物・トップ15

St Catherine's Hill is a prominent chalk downland hill on the outskirts of Winchester, notable for its layered historical and ecological importance. Now a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) managed as a nature reserve, its summit is ringed by the impressive earthworks of a univallate Iron Age hillfort dating back over 2,000 years. The top is marked by a distinctive copse of beech trees, known as 'The Clump', which contains the scant ruins of the 12th-century St Catherine's Chapel, while the hillside features a turf-cut labyrinth known as the Miz-Maze; the entire site provides spectacular views over the city, the Itchen Valley, and supports a rich variety of wildflowers and butterflies, including the protected Chalkhill Blue.

St Catherine's Hill is a prominent chalk downland hill on the outskirts of Winchester, notable for its layered historical and ecological importance. Now a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) managed as a nature reserve, its summit is ringed by the impressive earthworks of a univallate Iron Age hillfort dating back over 2,000 years. The top is marked by a distinctive copse of beech trees, known as 'The Clump', which contains the scant ruins of the 12th-century St Catherine's Chapel, while the hillside features a turf-cut labyrinth known as the Miz-Maze; the entire site provides spectacular views over the city, the Itchen Valley, and supports a rich variety of wildflowers and butterflies, including the protected Chalkhill Blue.

This was on the last leg of the King Alfred’s Way for me and was one of the few descents in the whole trip i walked, dry conditions but on a loaded gravel - the descent was more treacherous than i was prepared to risk / but amazing views from the top and a fast through the fields ride from the bottom.

There is a cadence cafe an the entrance,

A lovely little hill that is on the South Downs Way. Beautiful views of the surrounding countryside can be had from here.

Beautiful spot to watch the sunrise and look down at the city lights in the distance. Great route up with steps from the south west side of the hill

The pathway up is unclear from this point. Note however that there is an easy to follow route up with mostly steps on the south west side of the hill

A super cool but heart thumping 220ft climb up St Catherine’s Hill’s wooden stairs reveals show-stopping views of Winchester city as well as the Itchen Valley and the downland it nestles in. At the summit are the earthworks of an Iron Age fort, buried ruins of the Norman chapel that gives the site its name, and a copse of beech trees. In the summer you’ll be able to hear the cackle of a woodpeckers, spy buzzards and kestrels. It is such a great place to run or walk to.