Pewsey Downs NNR lies on the southern edge of the Marlborough Downs situated on a steep south-facing slope overlooking the Vale of Pewsey. The reserve includes three hills: Milk, Walkers and Knap. Main habitats: grassland Features of interest Pewsey Downs NNR is one of the finest remaining areas of Wiltshire’s iconic chalk downland habitat. Consisting of three hills on the southern edge of the Marlborough Downs the reserve is famous for the Alton Barnes White Horse. Views from the reserve stretch across the Vale of Pewsey all the way to Salisbury Plain. The site is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for its orchid rich grassland and one of the few remaining sites where the internationally important early gentian can be found. It is also part of the larger Pewsey Downs Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In spring and summer plants including the rare early gentian, orchids like the burnt tip, lesser butterfly and frog orchid help support the butterflies for which the reserve is well known, including the internationally rare marsh fritillary, the adonis blue and the chalkhill blue. See the map to find out where you can ride a horse or cycle on the reserve. Directions The nearest train station is in Pewsey. Bus services run to Alton Barnes from Devizes or Marlborough via Pewsey. See the Traveline south west website for details. The reserve is located by the Alton Priors White Horse, one mile north of Alton Barnes at the base of Knap Hill. A car park is situated on the minor road leading from Alton Barnes to Lockeridge, which continues to join the A4 west of Marlborough. The road cuts across the eastern end of the NNR, separating Knapp Hill from Walkers Hill. To access the majority of the NNR from Alton Priors or the car park this road has to be crossed on foot. This car park is not managed by Natural England. The White Horse Trail runs through the reserve. This 90 mile circular trail connects the chalk horses in the region. Contact To find out more about the reserve, contact site staff on 07771 944557.