Morning Hills

In 1538, Thomas Wriothesley, who was connected to the College, took a lease of the land on St Catherine’s Hill. Although Winchester had no direct ownership of the land, the hills, 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 there in the summer and football in the winter.

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.

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.