New Images: Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill is one of the best known hill forts in England. It is about 3 miles north of where I live and within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The important chalk grassland habitat contains many wildflowers and rare invertebrates, this along with the rich archeology means it is both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a National Nature Reserve (NNR).
Such an important site so close to home, it’s crazy that I don’t visit more often!
I went up for a late afternoon leg stretch and to see the fantastic views again. The path up the northeastern slope is surprisingly steep and gets you quite warm by the time you reach the first banks of the Iron-age earthworks encircling the summit. The views open up and the busy A34 runs along the valley between Beacon Hill and the rest of the north facing scarp of the Hampshire Downs.
Hill fort Earthworks on top of Beacon Hill
I was alone with just a couple of Red Kites gliding in the wind for company. I carried on up to the trig-point which lies at a modest 261 metres above sea level. It may not be very high, but the panoramic views from here are pretty special.
The 261m trig-point at the summit of Beacon Hill
The sun was sinking fast so I walked along the north edge of the hill fort, where the hill drops steeply away. The views into Berkshire from here are wonderful and I picked out Highclere Castle down below.
I continued around the rings of the hill fort to the tomb of Egyptologist George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Famous for opening the tomb of Tutankhamun with Howard Carter in 1922, now buried overlooking his family home of Highclere Castle, not a bad spot it has to be said.
The tomb of Egyptologist George Herbert the 5th Earl of Carnarvon buried within the hill fort on top of Beacon Hill
You can see these and other pictures in the Hampshire Gallery over on the main website.
