Isle of Wight Geocaching: Nansen Hill

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Nansen Hill map
Nansen Hill cache
Size: small
Hidden: 1 May 2008
Terrain: very steep climb with some uneven terrain
Difficulty: hard
Grid Ref: SZ 578 788
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Getting There
Nansen Hill is at the eastern end of the Ventnor Downs, between Bonchurch and Luccombe. It is on the west side of the A3055 Shanklin to Ventnor road. Footpaths V109 and V123 cross the site and link it to the adjoining Bonchurch Down. There is a free car park opposite the entrance gate on the Ventnor to Shanklin road at grid reference SZ 581 789. The number 3 bus stops at Nansen Hill/Bonchurch Landslip. For information on bus times see Island Buses or phone 0871 200 2233.

Wildlife
Characteristic plants occurring throughout include yellow-wort, glaucous sedge, dwarf thistle, eyebright, hoary plantain, and salad burnet.

Why is Nansen Hill so special?
ANansen Hill is an east-facing slope, on chalk. There are wide ranging views across Sandown Bay to Culver Down and beyond to Portsdown Hill. The site has chalk grassland, with the richest areas botanically being the middle and upper parts of the slope where the turf is shorter. Characteristic plants occurring throughout include yellow-wort, glaucous sedge, dwarf thistle, eyebright, hoary plantain, and salad burnet.

There is a good population of autumn gentian in most years at the top of the slope. Devil’s-bit scabious is also found towards the north of this area. On the terracettes on the north-facing slope at the top, there is a population of common spotted orchids. It is part of the Ventnor Downs Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Spring cowslip emerging at Nansen Hill Some clearance of scrub has taken place in recent years and a number of plants that are characteristic of chalk grassland, including eyebright, hound’s tongue, dwarf thistle and hairy violet have appeared in these areas. More clearance of scrub is planned for the coming winter and a water supply is being arranged for the site. The intention is to graze in order to keep the grass short enough for the smaller plants to flourish and set seed, but the taller vegetation to be kept under control.

The history of Nansen Hill
Nansen Hill as a place for recreation goes back to 31st December 1932. Mr John Howard Whitehouse, the Warden of Bembridge School, conveyed the central part of the hill to four distinguished men – the Prime Minister of Britain (Ramsey McDonald), the Prime Minister of Norway, the Rector of Oslo University and a Mr Rock from London.

A trust was established enabling the land (held by these persons as trustees) to be used for “the result of recreation of adults, children and in particular the youth of England and Norway” in memory of Dr Fridtjof Nansen who had promoted “peace and friendship” between the nations.” Later, in 1963, the land adjacent to the road was added when it was conveyed to the County Council by the Education Trust Ltd.

Today the whole hill is designated as a Public Open Space and is kept in accordance with the Trust’s wishes by the present trustee, the Isle of Wight Council.