Ham Hill Nature Reserve
This tiny area (1.5ha) of flower-rich chalk downland can be found on the steep banks running alongside the road from the village of Ham to Buttermere, close to the Berkshire border. The steep banks support a diverse assemblage of plants and associated invertebrates, for which it is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) . A well-defined path runs through the Reserve passing along the bottom of the northwest facing slope, climbing a flight of steps to the top of the embankment and exiting through the ash woodland at the southern end. The views from the embankment across the surrounding countryside are spectacular.
Wildlife
A wide range of typical chalk downland specialists are found at Ham Hill including Clustered Bellflower (Campanula glomerata), Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella), Chalk Milkwort (Polygala vulgaris), Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa) and Common Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium).
The site is important for its population of Musk Orchid (Hermnium monorchis), a nationally scarce species that is found in very few sites in Wiltshire; several hundred flower in a good year but usually fewer are seen. The rare Burnt Orchid (Orchis ustulata) also occurs but only in very small numbers.
A good range of butterfly species are present including Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon) and Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi). Also look out for the large, conspicuous Roman Snail (Helix pomatia), a rare species found in isolated pockets in southern England. Growing up to 5cm across, this is Britain’s largest snail, the spherical shell ranges from white to grey with pale brown bands.
History and management
The cutting through the Reserve is a holloway or ancient sunken trackway that formed part of a route from Hungerford to Andover over the steep chalk escarpment south of Ham. The absence of the Reserve from 19th century maps suggests it was no longer regarded as a public highway by this time. It is assumed that the Reserve was subsequently grazed as part of a larger down.
The site is grazed by a local grazier with sheep that help to control the scrub and coarse grasses that would otherwise crowd out the wide flowers.
Other information
The site is vulnerable to large numbers of visitors. Please stay on the path and do not attempt to climb the steep northwest-facing slope as this will damage the wildflower population, particularly the orchids.
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Best time to visit: Spring and summer
Habitat: Chalk downland
Specialities of the reserve: Musk Orchid, Burnt Orchid, Chalkhill Blue, Green Hairstreak, Roman Snail
Location: From the A338 Burbage to Hungerford road, turn towards Shalbourne and Ham. Pass through Ham heading south. The reserve is on the left hand side of the road approximately three quarters of a mile outside of the village. There is no designated parking area however there is room for 2 cars on the edge of the road beside the kissing gate at the northern end of the reserve. There is also space to park at the southern end of the Reserve by the woodland; continue along the road up the hill and take the next left turn, park here on the verge of the road to Buttermere. Grid reference SU334616.
