About the reserve

Morgan’s Hill between Devizes and Calne offers incredible views of Cherhill Down and the plains of north Wiltshire. The reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its orchids, butterflies and for the quality of the chalk grassland.

A Roman road runs along its northern edge and the fifth century Wansdyke defines its southern border. This large bank with a deep ditch is home to early purple orchids and round-headed rampion. 

Keep your eyes peeled for cowslips, primroses and violets in spring, and wild thyme, horseshoe vetch, common rock rose and marsh helleborine in summer. Where there are flowers, butterflies follow. Along the Wansdyke you can find the Adonis, chalkhill, common and small blues. Further down the slopes look for the marsh fritillary – one of the UK’s most endangered species of butterfly, which feeds on devil’s-bit scabious. The elusive Duke of Burgundy butterfly can also be found here in May and June. The reserve is a magnet for moths such as the Mother Shipto and Burnet Companion. Birds found at the reserve include kestrel, buzzard, yellow hammer and skylark.

We are improving the grassland by removing scrub and grazing with cattle and our own flock of Herdwick sheep. 

Morgan's Hill is a key site in a collaborative project Chalk Species Revival which looks to restore and connect habitats along Wansdyke. You can read more about this project here.