Grangelands and Pulpit Hill
Open access chalk grassland and woodland with great views. A great place to see orchids and other chalk downland flowers in the summer. Up on Pulpit Hill are the remains of an ancient hill fort, a scheduled ancient monument. The Ridgeway National Trail passes through the site.
Pulpit Hill, together with Buckinghamshire County Council’s Grangelands site, is a site of special scientific interest. The interest of the site lies in the mixture of high forest and open grassland together with the past history of partial clearance for agriculture and later reversion to woodland.
The hill-fort was built to follow the contours of the hill, with a single ditch and bank on the steeper western sides and a double system on the less easily defended east. There are many other earthworks in the surrounding woodland, some of which are thought to date to the Iron Age.
The grasslands are particularly rich in invertebrates, including the marbled white and chalk hill blue butterflies and populations of glow worms. The large Roman Snail can also be found in the grassland.
Postcode
HP27 0NBAccessibility/terrain/walk info
Accessibility is difficult for all except the able-bodied visitor because of the steep slopes and soft ground conditions with unmade paths.
Facilities & accessibility
Pub at Lower Cadsden. Lots of pubs and tearooms at Princes Risborough.
Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead when livestock are grazing