When visiting butterfly sites, please help safeguard our butterfly populations by following the "Code Of Practice", prepared with contributions from several butterfly enthusiasts, including myself. You can access it via the main menu.

Introduction

The butterfly species pages include references to various sites in Hampshire as examples of where a particular species can be found. Most of these sites are listed below in alphabetical order, each with summary description and a link to a detailed map to assist the well-intentioned visitor.

In addition, for a significant number of these sites, a longer feature has been created, providing a more detailed site description, site/habitat photos, and other useful information. These are sites which I know particularly well and are mainly in the south of the county. These longer features can be accessed via the links on the left or via shortcuts in the site list below.

Sites which are located within the New Forest National Park boundary are indicated by the postscript "New Forest" in parenthesis. 

List and Brief Descriptions of Hampshire Butterfly Sites

For a link to a map providing an overview of the locations of the various sites in Hampshire, click here

For a link to a detailed, navigable  map, showing the location of each site and its local area, click on the name of the site in the list below

Acres Down (New Forest)     Picturesque area of  undulating heathland in the New Forest, with surrounding woodland. Very pleasant for walks. Silver-studded Blue present on heath (arrowed on map) though not in large numbers.

Alice Holt Forest     Large mixed woodland in NE Hants managed by Forest Enterprise. The majority of common woodland dwelling species are represented as well as Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak. The forest is also a stronghold  for  Purple Emperor. There is a vistor centre (with café), waymarked trails, pleasant woodland walks and picnic areas which provide an additional dimension as a family day out, as well as being a good site for the butterfly enthusiast. Covered in site feature on Alice Holt & Bentley S M - click here or use link on left

Beacon Hill (Warnford)     Steep chalk downland escarpment (arrowed on map) overlooking the Meon Valley. Chalk downland species represented include Chalkhill Blue and Silver-spotted Skipper. Brown Argus, Small Blue, Grizzled and Dingy Skipper also present in addition to common species.

Beaulieu Heath (New Forest)    Large expanse of heathland in the New Forest and a good example of this type of habitat found in the area. Parts of the heath are sheltered by gorse and other bushes as well as by woodland  edge. Key heathland species such as Silver-studded Blue, Grayling and Dark Green Fritillary (the latter in low density) can be found on the heath. Other attractions include a large pond (Hatchet Pond) and a picturesque stream at Crockford Bridge with many dragonflies. Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Bentley Station Meadow     Butterfly Conservation (Hampshire & IoW) managed reserve. The reserve consists of a strip of ancient meadow with woodland edge. Good variety of commoner species, including Peacock, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Large and Small Skippers as well as Silver-washed Fritillary. White Admiral are occasional visitors and Purple Emperor sightings are not uncommon, bearing in mind close proximity to Alice Holt forest. Covered in site feature on Alice Holt & Bentley S M - click here or use link on left

Bentley Wood     Large mixed woodland on Hants/Wilts border and recognised nationally for its importance as a butterfly site, with all woodland species found in Central Southern England present. In the Hampshire section, called the Eastern Clearing (arrowed on map) there are good colonies of Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Marsh Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy are also present in small numbers. Bentley Wood is considered one of the best sites in the country to observe Purple Emperor, in particular around the car park close to the Hants/Wilts border and along the track leading west called the switchback. Site feature - click here or use link on left

Botley Wood     Nature Reserve managed by Hampshire County Council. Although predominantly woodland, there are open areas of rough ground, including wayleave under electricity pylons. Woodland butterfly species include Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak. Botley Wood is also one of the few woodland sites in the county for Grizzled Skipper, which can be seen in the rougher areas of the rides and open areas, although numbers have been declining in recent years. Botley Wood is adjacent to Whiteley Pastures and details of a detour into Botley Wood are included in the site feature on Whiteley Pastures (use link on left). 

Browndown     A former military training area on the Solent which is now largely left to nature. Browndown South (arrowed), an area of unique coastal heath, shingle and scrub, is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) noted especially for its unusual variety of coastal flora. It also has a strong colony of Grayling and common species such as Marbled White, Small Copper, Holly Blue and Small/Essex Skipper. Browndown North, on the inland side of the Gosport to Lee-on Solent road, is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Grayling are also present here, as well as Green Hairstreak and a good variety of common species.  Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Broxhead Common     Dry heathland remnant in East Hampshire but a little jewel. Broxhead Common is a local nature reserve owned by Hampshire County Coucil. Silver-studded Blue thrive among the heathery heath - one of few colonies in East Hampshire.

Butser Hill (Rake Bottom)     Butser Hill is the highest point on the South Downs. The area includes a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest as well as being a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The area consists of improved and unimproved calcerous grassland with scattered scrub, chalk heath, yew woodland and semi broad-leaved woodland. The area known as Rake Bottom is a steep sided valley cutting into west side of the hill and has good colonies of Duke of Burgundy, Green Hairstreak and Grizzled Skipper among other species.  Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Farley Mount Country Park    Large Country Park west of Winchester jointly managed by Hampshire County Council and Forest Enterprise with good visitor facilities including picnic places and and covered barbecue - and not forgetting its monument (folly) providing fine views. The park also provides a diverse habitat for butterflies, comprising chalk downland (Pitt Down), ancient woodland (Crab Wood) and a working woodland (West Wood). Pitt Down is a good site for Dark Green Fritillaries (as well as many common species), whilst Crab Wood is a notable for Silver-washed Fritillary. Purple Emperors are also occasionally recorded from different woodland locations around the park. Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Godshill (New Forest)   Pleasant Area of undulating heathland in NW of New Forest. Good site for Silver-studded Blue and Grayling (arrowed).

Hawkhill Inclosure (New Forest)     Mainly coniferous New Forest Inclosure on the Brockenhurst-Beaulieu road, which contains one of the few woodland based colonies of Dark Green Fritillary in the county. They frequent the area close to the stream (Worts Gutter). Woodland species such as Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral are also present. Silver-studded Blue and more Dark Green Fritillary can be found in the heathland area immediately in front of the inclosure. Hawkhill is included as a mini-feature within  New Forest - East Inclosures - click here or use link on left.

Hordle Cliff and Hurst Castle    These sites are grouped together being just 3 miles apart along the West Hampshire coast. Hordle Cliff's status as the only naturalised colony of Glanville Fritillary on mainland UK, is now, for the best of reasons being challenged,  as a new and probably natural colony is establishing itself at Hurst Castle. Indeed in 2007 Glanville numbers at Hurst far outnumbered sightings at Hordle which have anyway being declining in recent years. At Hordle the Glanvilles (if you are lucky!) can be found along the crumbling undercliffs, whereas at Hurst Castle they are occupying a flower rich meadow close to the castle.

Lymington-Keyhaven    Hampshire & IoW Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve of international importance, overlooking the Solent, and comprising salt-marsh, shallow lagoons and mudflats. Whilst it is especially noted for its wading birds and specialist flora, it is also one of the few places in the county to see the Wall butterfly, which is still reported  in reasonable numbers along the coastal footpath bordering the lagoons and also just inland along the tracks towards Lower Pennington. Green Hairstreak are also reported from the reserve. Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Magdalen Hill Down     Butterfly Conservation (Hampshire & IoW) reserve close to Winchester and one of Hampshire's best chalk downland butterfly sites, despite its modest size. 34 species have been recorded there. Original western section of reserve consists of steep slope of unimproved chalk downland which has important breeding colonies of Chalkhill Blue, Green Haistreak and Brown Argus, as well as small colony of Grizzled Skipper. More recently acquired eastern section is being returned to flower rich downland from arable farmland. Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Martin Down    National Nature Reserve in the far west of the county and one of Hampshire's best butterfly sites.  The reserve occupies a large expanse of undulating chalk downland bounded to the west by a prehistoric earthwork called the Bokerley Ditch. Most of Hampshire's chalk downland species are represented including Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Small Blue and Dark Green Fritillary, as well as Dingy Skipper, Grizzled Skipper and Green Hairstreak. Marsh Fritillary are also present in small numbers. There is an area of woodland and scrub also within the reserve, to the north of the Salisbury - Blandford road where some woodland species can be found, including Silver-washed Fritillary. Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Noar Hill     Hampshire and IoW Wildlife Trust reserve close to the Meon Valley. The wide variety of habitats including chalk scrub interspersed with woodland and blackthorn scrub, reflect the good range of species found at the reserve. Medieval chalk workings now reclaimed by nature provide a sheltered environment for butterflies, including Duke of Burgundy and Dingy Skipper. Site is also noted for its variety of flora including orchids. The reserve is also one of just two locations in the county for Brown Hairstreak. Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Old Winchester Hill     Large National Nature Reserve crowned by an Iron Age hill fort on species rich chalk downland. Excellent site for Chalkhill Blue (which can be present in the low thousands in good years), Silver-spotted Skipper, Dark Green Fritillary, Marbled White and common species. Old Winchester Hill was also chosen by English Nature for an experimental re-introduction of Adonis Blue which seems to be going reasonably well. The brilliant blue of the males and contrasting mainly brown females can be found in two widely separated locations on the reserve. Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Oxenbourne Down     Local Nature Reserve close to Butser Hill, providing sheltered chalk downland habitat. Duke of Burgundy (small colony) and also Silver-spotted Skipper present on the reserve 

Pamber Forest     Large mature woodland in the north of the county, and good site for several woodland species including , Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary are also present but species has been declining here in recent years.

Pignal Inclosure (New Forest)    Mixed woodland inclosure close to Brockenhurst in the New Forest which is very popular with visitors. Pignal, and several other inclosures which can be reached from it - such as Ramnor, Parkhead, Denny Lodge, Perrywood-Hazeley and New Copse, contain the largest population of Pearl-bordered Fritillary in Hampshire. These spring butterflies can be found along the rides and in the areas of regeneration. In summer, Silver-washed Fritillary are also present in Pignal, with White Admiral making an occasional appearance. Pignal is included as mini-feature in New Forest - East Inclosures - click here or use link on left.

Pilot Hill    Steep chalk downland escarpment in the extreme north of the county, close to the Berkshire border.  It is especially notable for a good colony of Chalkhill Blue, but other species reported, usually in small numbers, incude Dingy Skipper, Green Hairstreak, Small Heath, and Small Copper, as well as common species. There are also occasional sightings of Adonis Blue from the site and it is hoped this species can establish itself at this northern outpost of Hampshire.

Pondhead Inclosure (New Forest)     A true New Forest inclosure (i.e. fenced) just SE of Lyndhurst. Restricted grazing has allowed species like Silver-washed Fritillary to flourish. This mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland site also has a good populations of White Admiral and Purple Hairstreak. All three species can be seen along the main track running East from the entrance (arrowed). Pondhead is also included as a mini-feature within New Forest - East Inclosures - click here or use link on left.

Portsdown Hill     Chalk downland  escarpment which overlooks Portsmouth and the Solent. The best part if the Hill for butterflies is the area between the two disused chalk quarries (arrowed on map). Despite its proximity to urban areas, the Hill has a very good species count, including Chalkhill Blue, Small Blue (very local where kidney vetch can be found) and Green Hairstreak.  Brown Argus are also increasing their foothold. On the downside, the Wall butterfly used to be seen here in low numbers, but now seems to have disappeared from this site. Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Shipton Bellinger     Area of scrub, with hedgerows and tall trees in the far NW of the county, notable as a site  for Brown Hairstreak (one of two in the county)

Silchester Common     Large area of common and heathland in the north of the county, containing a large colony of Silver-studded Blue.

Stockbridge Down     National Trust managed chalk downland west of Winchester, with typical chalk downland species including Chalkhill Blue, Adonis blue and Silver-spotted Skipper. Dark Green Fritillary and Clouded Yellow  are also present in small numbers.  Grizzled Skipper and Silver-washed Fritillary can be found at the eastern end of the down where there is scrub and woodland. A White-letter Hairstreak colony is also present on a group of surviving elms. Site feature - click here or use link on left.

Whiteley Pastures      Forest Enterprise managed woodland in the south of the county, adjoining Botley Wood (see above). Woodland species including Silver-washed Fritillary, Purple Hairstreak and White Admiral are well represented. Purple Emperor and White-letter Hairstreak also present. Site feature - click here or use link on left. 

Yateley Common    Country Park on both sides of the A30 between Camberley and Hartley Wintney.  Whilst the country park contains woodland, lakes and heathland, the main butterfly interest centres on the heathland areas, where Grayling and Silver-studded Blue can be found in good numbers.

Yew Hill    Small reserve managed by Butterfly Conservation close to Winchester. The 5 acre reserve consists of a fragment of chalk downland, beside a covered reservoir, with some hedgerow and a wooded lane. Deep gullies in the downland provide a sheltered habitat for butterflies. The reserve has sizeable colonies of Chalkhill Blue and Marbled White. Other species regularly seen include Holly Blue, Brimstone, Gatekeeper and other common species. There are also occasional sightings of Dark Green Fritillary and even White-letter Haistreak which are believed to reside in the elms along the wooded lane to the south east.