Selborne Hill and Common offer a fine example of ancient wood pasture and beech hanger woodlands, characteristic features in this part of Hampshire.

There are also remnants of once extensive chalk grassland. To the east of Selborne the hanger woodland of the Short and Long Lythes runs along the north side of the Oakhanger stream valley with meadows lying below. The area itself lies to the west of the village Selborne.

Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and lying within the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), these fragments of ancient landscape around Selborne are of great ecological importance. The observations of the Rev Gilbert White, pastor and naturalist, published in 'The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne' in 1789, are an invaluable record, with descriptions and locations of many now scarce plants and animals.

Although the storms of 1987 and 1990 caused some damage to the mature woodland, new vistas have been opened up, with new glades forming pockets of grassland or naturally regenerating woodland. The well-drained soils on the chalk substrata, ideal for beech with some maple and ash, also support a distinct range of flowers such as Woodruff, Yellow Archangel, Wood Spurge, Wood Anemone and Bird's Nest orchid.

Above the hangers, mixed woodlands of beech, oak, ash and hawthorn grow on the clay plateau of Selborne Hill, with Wood Sorrel, Broad Buckler Fern and Enchanter's Nightshade. The woods harbour many rare invertebrates and molluscs associated with dead wood and pollards, including the Ash Black slug, which is characteristic of ancient woodland sites and five species of Ctenophora cranefly (large, spectacular creatures with feathered antennae).

Large beech pollards stand on the old wood pasture, grazed until the mid 20th-century. The woodland glades provide feeding grounds for many butterflies, including the Silver-Washed Fritillary, Green and Purple Hairstreaks and the occasional White Admiral and Purple Emperor.

Facilities

• Car park (not National Trust)
• Lavatories, including disabled (not National Trust)
• Shops, museum, pubs and tea-room in village (not National Trust)