Beacon Batch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Beacon Batch | |
|---|---|
 A view across Black Down from Beacon Batch in the Mendip Hills |
|
| Elevation | 325 m (1,068 ft) |
| Location | Mendip Hills, England |
| Prominence | c. 241 m |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 141 |
| OS grid reference | ST484572 |
| Listing | Marilyn |
Beacon Batch is the highest point in the Mendip Hills, Somerset, south-western England. It lies just a few miles eastward of the Bristol Channel at Weston-super-Mare, and gives views over the Chew Valley. The shortest route of ascent goes from the Burrington Combe car park and is approximately 1 km long.
It is the site of bronze age round barrows, one of which is the site of the concrete Trig point. All of the barrows show signs of being opened in the past but the only one which is recorded is by Rev J. Skinner in 1820.[1]
In the Second World War, a bombing decoy was constructed on top of Black Down, and piles of stones (known as cairns) were created to prevent enemy aircraft using the hilltop as a landing site.
It is thought the name Black Down comes from the Saxon word Blac or Bloec Dun meaning bleak, down or fort.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Adkins, Lesley and Roy (1992). A field Guide to Somerset Archeology. Stanbridge: Dovecote press. ISBN 0946159947.
- ^ Autumn newsletter 2007 (PDF). Mendip Hills AONB. Retrieved on 2007-09-25.
 This Somerset location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
