Ashley Whitlock
Hampshire & IOW Butterflies and Moths
The nickname of Little Switzerland is rather apt as you look out over this vista at Happy Snapper Hanger.
Ashford Hangers NNR
Barn Owl in flight
White-Letter Hairstreak on Wych Elm leaf
There is a small colony of the illusive Purple Emperor on the reserve
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Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve
Woodland of beech, ash and yew on steep chalk hillsides, with areas of chalk grassland and a treasure trove of rare plants. Panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
About the site
Ashford Hangers is one of Hampshire's most beautiful woodland areas. The name "Little Switzerland" has been given to this part of Hampshire due to its fantastic scenery.
The rise and fall of the landscape and its silhouette on the skyline is made more impressive because most of the area is covered in trees, many of them magnificent beeches. The whole area of the East Hampshire Hangers is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The name 'hanger' comes from the Old English 'hangra' meaning a wooded slope.
There is a wealth of wildlife on site with the elusive Purple Emperor which can be seen in the summer months of late June and July. Also the rare White-Letter Hairstreak has been noted where you find Wych Elms which grow on the slopes. Both of these species are mainly seen in the canopy of the trees, but if you are patient enough they will descend to feed. the Purple Emperor on the ground normally on gravel or stony ground and the White-letter Hairstreak on thistles if they grow nearby. Overhead the Buzzard and Red Kite can be heard as they patrol the slopes for carrion and also Barn Owls and Tawny Owls can be seen at dusk in the more flatter parts of the site. There also Roe Deer in the woodland glades and nationally rare Dormouse have been found in the Hazel plantations.
Address
Ashford Hangers National Nature Reserve
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The Hangers have important historical connections with the 18th century naturalist Gilbert White and the poet Edward Thomas. On Shoulder-of-Mutton Hill there is a plaque to the poet Edward Thomas as this is where he and his wife Helen lived before his death. London born, he loved the hills of Hampshire and it is hard not to share his "impassioned, almost trance-like delight in things natural."
Access to the Hangers by road is not easy, but there is a network of footpaths and tracks popular with walkers. The Hangers Way is a through route linking Petersfield, Selborne and Alton.
Contact us
Phone 01590 674 656
Email centralcountrysidesites@hants.gov.uk
Central Countryside Sites, Crabwood Depot, Sarum Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 5QS
Beech Woodland in the early summer
Elm Trees are found on the steep slopes of Ashford Hill. The White-Letter Hairstreak lay their eggs on the Elm tree leaves.
Buzzards are the most numerous of our Birds of Prey and can be found circling over the hangers on the up drafts looking for prey.
Red Kites are now a common sight over the Hangers, and will readily breed in the tall Beech woodland on the slopes.
Ashford Hangers in the distance are very prominent in the Hampshire countryside
There are several steep hills making up the Ashford Hill Hangers, with many wild flowers, and excellent veiwpoints over to Petersfield and beyond into Sussex.
The nationally rare butterfly Duke of Burgundy used to be seen on Ashford Hill however lack of mangement meant it became extinct, although there is hope in the future it may return
There are still good areas where the Duke of Burgundy Butterflies foodplant Cowslip can still be found, on the northfacing hillsides
Lutcombe Pond in the summer, where there are good areas to see aquatic birds like Grey Heron and Mallard, and butterflies like Purple Hairstreak on the Oak stands.
Shoulder of Mutton hill is very steep in places but the site still holds on to the good amounts of Cowslip to be seen on the left of the picture. In the distance there are the Sussex downs