Beacon Hill, Dorset facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beacon Hill |
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Beacon Hill from the public footpath on Stoney Down to the NNW
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 84 m (276 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Dorset, England |
| OS grid | SY975947 |
| Topo map | OS Explorer OL15E |
Beacon Hill is a tall hill in Dorset, England. It's a great spot to see views of Poole Harbour and the land around it. The top of the hill is covered with trees and stands about 84 meters (276 feet) high. A public path goes right over the top of the hill. Long ago, people used Beacon Hill to light fires as warnings, especially when the Spanish Armada was coming. It used to be called Lytchett Beacon.
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Where is Beacon Hill?
Beacon Hill is the highest point of an area called Lytchett Heath. This heath is part of the wider Dorset Heaths, which are found in the Poole Basin.
Near Beacon Hill, to the northeast, you can find old clay pits. These pits were once used to dig up special white clay. Today, these old pits are used as a landfill site.
Just about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) away, the land rises again to Upton Heath. This spot is even taller, at 92 meters (302 feet) high. It has a special marker called a trig point and a public car park nearby. To the north, you can see the low, wooded ridge of Stoney Down. This ridge sits between the villages of Lytchett Matravers and Corfe Mullen.
What is the History of Beacon Hill?
Beacon Hill has been important for defending Dorset for a very long time. People have used it since at least the 1300s. In the past, it was known as Lechiot Beacon or Lychett Beacon. These names came from the nearby village of Lytchett Minster.
Warning Beacons
As its name suggests, Beacon Hill was a place where warning fires were lit. If an enemy attack was expected, a large fire would be lit on the hill. This fire would warn people far and wide.
A famous example happened in 1588. The beacon was lit to warn everyone that the Spanish Armada was approaching England. Later, during the Napoleonic Wars, the beacon on Lytchett Heath was used again. People kept watch there in case the French decided to attack.
Old Cottages and Clay Pits
There were three old cottages on Lytchett Beacon. These cottages had roofs made of thatch and walls made of cob. Cob is a natural building material made from soil, straw, and water. These old cottages are still standing today. A path leads from them to where the old beacon used to be. This path is now a public footpath for everyone to enjoy.
The old clay pits northeast of Beacon Hill were very important. They were used to dig up white china clay. This special clay was then sent to other places. Today, these pits are used as a landfill site. You can find out more about the history of these pits at the Dorset County Museum.
Beacon Hill Today
Today, Beacon Hill is home to Beacon Hill Farm. There is also a place called Beacon Hill Touring Park, where people can bring their caravans and tents for camping.
The Dorset Wildlife Trust has its Urban Wildlife Centre on the northern side of the hill. It's located in Beacon Hill Lane. This center helps people learn about local wildlife.
