Hampshire's very own Chris Packham will launch English Nature's brand-new interpretive unit at Old Winchester Hill, near Warnford, on Sunday, May 11th.

With its attractive oak frame and tiled roof, the hexagonal building has been designed to help everyone get the most out of a visit to Hampshire's flagship National Nature Reserve.

"This will be a great day out for the whole family," said Chris, who will cut the tape at 11am. "The hill looks brilliant at this time of year, with plenty of birds and spring flowers. We just need the weather to match."

Cowslips and orchids are characteristic of Old Winchester Hill in springtime and visitors may also see skylarks and buzzards, as well as comma and peacock butterflies.

"We want people to come along and help us celebrate this new facility," added English Nature's site manager, Bob Lord. "We'll have free guided walks throughout the day, with experts on hand to point out interesting or unusual wildlife."

Refreshments will be available and dogs are welcome too - but owners are asked to keep them on a lead, as English Nature manages the site in the traditional manner by grazing with sheep.

Other management work includes mechanical clearance of scrub during the winter. These measures all help to maintain the local environment that has been created by centuries of livestock grazing.

Now, Old Winchester Hill provides ideal conditions for people to enjoy the wonderful diversity of wildlife.

Besides the flora and fauna interest, the reserve includes a group of Bronze Age burial mounds, or barrows, believed to be around 4,000 years old.

The barrows are now partly enclosed by an ancient hillfort, which was probably built some 2,500 years ago for a local Celtic chieftain. There are stunning views from the fort, right across southern Hampshire to the Isle of Wight.