At the present day St. Giles's Hill is a pleasant spot from which to
view the venerable city. Down the valley, by the Itchen, rises the
Hospital and Church of St. Cross, a picturesque and peaceful group of
buildings viewed from any position, but particularly so taken in
conjunction with the ancient city and the fertile valley threaded by
numberless small streams. On the left side of the valley is St.
Catherine's Hill, a bold and outstanding spur crowned with a small belt
of trees surrounded by a circular earthwork. At one time a chapel
dedicated to St. Catherine capped the hill, and slight traces of the
building may yet be seen. Here is the interesting maze, said to have
been made by a Winchester College boy who was obliged to remain behind
during the holidays, but probably of a different origin, some
antiquaries holding the opinion that it is of great antiquity, and in
some way connected with ecclesiastical penance.
Looking citywards, one can see the towers of many churches rising above
the gables and chimneys of the houses. Near at hand are St. Peter's,
Cheeshill, and St.
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