Walbury Hill
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Walbury Hill | |
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The view from Walbury Hill, looking towards Combe Gibbet |
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Elevation | 297 m (974 ft) |
Location | North Wessex Downs AONB, Berkshire, England |
Prominence | c. 188 m |
Topo map | OS Landranger 174 |
OS grid reference | SU373616 |
Listing | Marilyn, County Top |
Walbury Hill is the highest point in the South East England region of the UK at 297 m (974 ft) above sea level.
It is situated on the border between the civil parishes of Inkpen and Combe in southwestern Berkshire (the latter formerly in Hampshire). It is close to the Hampshire border and 7 km southeast of Hungerford, the closest town. On its summit is the Iron Age hill fort of Walbury Camp. Combe Gibbet stands on the adjoining Gallows Down.
The true summit is marked by a triangulation pillar approximately 100 metres from the main Test Way. Walbury Hill is sometimes used by the BBC as a temporary relay station during major sporting events. There is no metalled road across the hill, but the byway is open to all traffic and maintained with a hard gravel surface, probably because of its use by outside broadcast vehicles. The ridged summit is also popular with paragliding enthusiasts.
It is the start point for both the Test Way and the Wayfarers Walk.
There is also a small low level circular brick building, approximately 6 feet high, on the the south side of the hill, which appears to be hollow and descend quite some way. However there is no indication what this building is, or what it covers.