For centuries residents and visitors enjoyed walking on St. Giles Hill to take the fresh air and enjoy the magnificent views of the Cathedral, College and City below. With the arrival of the railways and the Victoria expansion of Winchester land once grazed by sheep became prime real estate and housing development threatened. To prevent development and preserve access the west flank of St. Giles Hill land was purchased by the City on condition it be used as a place of recrea
Council work is well under way to address the most immediate issue of ash dieback on trees throughout the park, particularly those by the path from the top of the steps and leading to the main viewpoint, though there are ash trees in other parts, needing attention, too. A main stand of Ash on St Giles Hill. This includes trees dotted around the Park especially those on the tricky to tackle ash on slopes down towards the Chesil Car Park. At the end of last year, I happened acr
The Friends of St Giles Hill Park held their Gathering at St Swithun’s School earlier this month. The aim was to look back at progress so far in helping improve the Park but mainly to cover ambitions to achieve an overall long term Framework Plan for the Park. Currently, the management of the Park is based on a Winchester City Council 5 year Management Plan which is about half way through its lifespan. However, the Friends, with the support of the Council and bodies ranging
