Farley Mount facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Farley Mount |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 174 m (571 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Farley Mount
Location in England
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| OS grid | SU403290 |
Farley Mount is a lovely hill in Hampshire, England. It's one of the highest spots in the area! You can find it inside Farley Mount Country Park, which is about four miles west of the old city of Winchester. People in the area know Farley Mount because it's mentioned in a very old folk song called 'On Farley Mount'. This song has been sung for hundreds of years!
What is Farley Mount?
Farley Mount is a well-known hill that offers great views of the countryside. It's part of a bigger area called Farley Mount Country Park. This park is a popular place for families and friends to visit. They come here to walk, enjoy nature, and explore the outdoors. The hill is also famous for a traditional folk song. This song has been sung for hundreds of years! It talks about the clouds, trees, and feelings on Farley Mount.
The Monument and its Story
At the very top of Farley Mount, there's a special building called a folly. A folly is a building that looks like a real structure but is built just for decoration. This one is a monument. It was built to remember a very brave horse named 'Beware Chalk Pit'.
The Brave Horse: Beware Chalk Pit
The monument was built to honor a horse that belonged to a person named Paulet St. John. In September 1733, this horse had a big adventure! While out hunting with its owner, it accidentally fell into a very deep chalk pit. This pit was about twenty-five feet deep!
Even after such a big fall, the horse was okay. The very next year, in October 1734, it won an important horse race. This race was called the Hunters Plate, and it took place on Worthy Downs. The horse was ridden by its owner, Paulet St. John, and was entered into the race with a very special name: "Beware Chalk Pit."
Inside and outside the monument, there are special messages carved into plaques. These messages tell the amazing story of the horse and its owner. They remind everyone of the horse's bravery and its incredible recovery after falling into the chalk pit.
A folk band called Contraband even recorded a song about this horse. The song is also called "Beware Chalk Pit." It tells the story of Sir Paulet St. John and his noble horse. The song reminds people to be careful when riding across the downs.
