St Catherine's Hill

Walkers can experience panoramic views of Winchester from St Catherine’s Hill, an iron age hill fort on the edge of the South Downs.

From the city centre, take the 30-minute walk along The Itchen Navigation Trail, past The Handlebar Café, until you see the gate on the left to St Catherine’s Hill.

Head up the steps to the summit of the hill where you’ll be greeted by stunning views of the city, a copse of beech trees (the former site of a Norman chapel), and the 17^th century turf ‘mizmaze’. There is plenty of wildlife to look out for as well including green woodpeckers, 25 species of butterfly and rare orchids dotted through the grasslands. You might even bump into some grazing livestock, so be sure to always keep your dog under control.

Back down the hill, the opposite way you climbed up, you can enjoy some locally sourced food and a delicious house blend coffee from the Handlebar Café. It is open 9am to 4pm every day and is very dog friendly!