St Catherine's Hill is the most southerly of a chain of three hills, some three miles long, just north of Christchurch . From north to south these hills are: Ramsdown, Blackwater and St Catherine's. The hills comprise a plateau which separates the valley of the Avon to the east and that of the Stour to the west. To the north is Sopley Common and the Moors River , beyond which is Hurn Airport ; to the south is Cowards Marsh and Ogber.

Rising to a height of over 50m (160 ft) above sea level St Catherine's Hill gives a superb panoramic view of the surrounding area: Poole Bay and the Isle of Purbeck, the New Forest, Christchurch Priory with Hengistbury Head and beyond Christchurch Bay, The Needles and the Isle of Wight can all be seen from viewpoints on the east or west side of the hill. On a clear day St Catherine's Down (over 20 miles away) on the Isle of Wight can be spotted.

Due to its commanding views, St Catherine's Hill has been used as a lookout and beacon site since prehistoric times. It is an area shrouded in mystery and legend.