Hampshire Wildlife Trust Reserve: Catherington Down
Catherington Down A flower-rich hillside with a considerable archaeological interest.Map Ref: SU 692 144: Landranger 185; Explorer 120.
Wildlife: In Spring Catherington Down is yellow with buttercups and cowslips, then by mid-summer it is a mosaic of purple and blue as clustered bellflower, small scabious and marjoram come into flower. The chalk-loving stemless thistle and squincywort are common while a wide range of butterflies are attracted to the site.
The terraces across the Down are strip lynchets, formed by medieval farmers ploughing along the valley. The fact that these still exist indicate that the land has not been ploughed since medieval times allowing a very rich plant community to develop. The steep sides of the strip lynchets are the favoured habitat for round-headed rampion and for autumn ladies tresses, one of seven orchid species to be found on the reserve, with wild thyme on the mounds created by the many meadow ants.
The narrow belts of trees at the top and bottom of the reserve support many woodland birds and plants, and the scrub is covered with wild roses, including the uncommon sweet-briar which smells of sweet apples.
To maintain the rich mix of flowers, cattle graze the meadow and scrub is kept in check by occasional cutting.
Access: Catherington Down is open at all times and access can be obtained from any of the public footpaths which cross the Reserve.
Parking: There is limited parking space at SU 689 140 and by the roadside.
Directions: The reserve is one mile north-west of Horndean alongside the minor road from Lovedean to Clanfield. Catherington Down was donated to Hampshire County Council in 1963 by Captain F H long, to be kept in its natural state, and is managed jointly by Hampshire Wildlife Trust and the County Council.
This document maintained by Gerry
Milner-Walker
Material Copyright © 2002 Hampshire Wildlife Trust and Gerry Milner-Walker