Morning Hills

The ancient history of St Catherine’s Hill goes back to pre-Roman times.  It takes its name from St Catherine’s Chapel, built on the summit possibly around the early 12th Century.

The Wykehamical association with Hills probably dates from 1538, when Thomas Wriothesley, who was connected to the College, took a lease of the land.  Although we had no direct ownership of the land, Hills, the surrounding valleys and bathing places became a playground for the College for more than three centuries.

Until 1859, Morning Hills, Afternoon (or Middle) Hills and, later, Evening Hills were compulsory expeditions for the whole school on Remedies (Tuesdays and Thursdays).  In the 17th Century, quoits, hand-ball, bat-ball and a primitive version of Winchester football were played there and a maze was cut and used for races.  In the mid 19th Century the school played cricket in summer and football in the winter, although from around 1825 Meads became available as a (much more convenient) playing field.

In 1859 Morning Hills ceased to be compulsory and was abolished in 1860.  Rules about Afternoon Hills were relaxed in 1867 and the custom of going up Hills was abandoned altogether in 1868.  (Around this time Lavender Meads and New Field had been created.)

When the College’s access to Hills became threatened by tenants occupying the land, WA Fearon (Headmaster, 1884-1901) instituted the custom in memory of the old practice and Morning Hills took place on the first Monday of each Cloister Time and Short Half. 

Although Fearon’s revival of Morning Hills in 1894 survives in limited form to this day, customary usage became a right, when in 1930 the Old Wykehamist Lodge purchased Hills and gave the land to the College.

For more information, refer to: ‘St Catherine’s Hill, Winchester’ by Hawkes, Myres & Stevens and to the College Archives.