Cheesefoot Head

Key Information

Site of Special Scientific Interest
Location	Hampshire
Grid reference	SU 528 281[1]
Interest	Biological
Area	13.4 hectares (33 acres)[1]
Notification	1986[1]
Location map	Magic Map
Show more

Cheesefoot Head (/ˈtʃɛsfʊt/ CHESS-fuut) is a large natural amphitheatre (also known as Matterley Bowl) and beauty spot just outside Winchester, England. It is situated on the A272 road (South Downs Way). There are three bowl barrows on the site.^[2] The east, south and west walls of the amphitheatre are a 13.4-hectare (33-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).^[1][3]

The SSSI is a steeply sloping area of chalk grassland, which is grazed by cattle and rabbits. There is a full range of downland grass species, especially fescues and bents. Herbs include dwarf thistle and fragrant orchid.^[4]

During the Second World War boxing events were held here for the entertainment of American troops stationed locally, and prior to D-Day, General Eisenhower addressed those troops.^[5]

The site has hosted a number of music festivals and concerts over the years, including Boomtown since 2010, Creamfields in its inaugural year of 1998, Homelands between 1999 and 2005, Glade in 2009. Because of this long history with a number of iconic events, many consider the grounds to be firmly entrenched in the roots of many notable acts and genres, especially dance and electronic music.^[6]

The adjacent motocross track within the Matterley Basin has in the past held the British round of the World Championship, as well as the Motocross of Nations.^[7] The site has also hosted the Tough Mudder endurance test series.^[8]

1. ^ ^{a b c d} "Designated Sites View: Cheesefoot Head". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
2. ^ "The Modern Antiquarian: Cheesefoot Head Barrows". www.themodernantiquarian.com. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
3. ^ "Map of Cheesefoot Head". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
4. ^ "Cheesefoot Head citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
5. ^ "Hampshire Cam UK - The Photographic Rambles of a Retired Photographer". www.hampshirecam.co.uk. Retrieved 21 October 2009.
6. ^ "Previous events". The Matterley Bowl. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
7. ^ "The Matterley Basin". The Matterley Estate. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
8. ^ "The Matterley Estate". The Matterley Estate. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021. The official website for Matterley Estate, home of the Matterley Bowl and hosts of Boomtown Festival, Tough Mudder and Juniper Leisure.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cheesefoot Head.

51°03′00″N 1°14′56″W / 51.050°N 1.249°W / 51.050; -1.249