About the reserve

Deacon Hill is a 10 hectare patchwork of scrub and chalk grassland overlooking the Chilcomb valley, at the gateway to the South Downs National Park. It perches at the highest point of the chalk scarp to the east of the city, overlooking the Chilcomb valley. This fabulous site is Winchester’s only remaining stronghold for the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, as well as supporting a range of breeding farmland birds including whitethroat, yellowhammer, linnet and blackcap, and many other wildlife species such as the harvest mouse and glow worm.

The land was purchased by the Trust following a successful fundraising appeal, a gift in the Will of two local residents and generous grants from Hampshire County Council, the South Downs National Park and strong support from Officers and members of the Butterfly Conservation Hampshire Branch.