'Butser Hill' is a
chalk hill, the highest summit on the
South Downs and the second highest point in
Hampshire. Although only 270
m (886
ft) high, it qualifies as one of
England's
Marilyns. It is located within the borders of the
Queen Elizabeth Country Park, situated about three
miles south of the historic
market town of
Petersfield, Hampshire.
Most of the park, including Butser Hill, is designated a
Site of Special Scientific Interest and since 1998 as a
National Nature Reserve. At 2.312 km² (0.9 square miles) this is large when compared against other lowland terrestrial SSSIs and is the second largest area of
calcareous grassland in
Hampshire.
Butser Hill SSSI has been proposed by the Government as a
Special Area of Conservation (SAC), recognising its importance from a
European perspective.
This is due to the rich variety of
flora and
fauna located upon the hill. Butser Hill is in the top 20 Hampshire chalk grassland sites for its rich vascular flora, and is the richest of any
Hampshire chalk grassland site in terms of its
bryophyte (125
species) and
lichen (82 species) flora. As well as this, over 30 species of
butterfly have been recorded, including populations of
Duke of Burgundy and the
Silver-spotted Skipper, making the area an important conservation area for many butterfly species.
See also
Butser hill is near
Butser Ancient Farm, the site of an archaeological experiment.