Hangman cliffs facts for kids
The Hangman cliffs are two amazing cliffs called Great Hangman and Little Hangman. You can find them near a village called Combe Martin on the north coast of Devon, England. This is where the beautiful Exmoor National Park meets the sea.
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Exploring the Hangman Cliffs
The Hangman cliffs are famous for being very tall and offering stunning views. They are a big part of the landscape in this area.
Great Hangman: England's Tallest Sea Cliff
Great Hangman is the taller of the two cliffs. Its highest point is about 1,043 feet (318 meters) above sea level. The cliff face itself drops about 800 feet (244 meters) straight down to the sea. This makes Great Hangman the highest sea cliff in all of England! It's also the highest point you'll reach if you walk along the famous South West Coast Path.
Little Hangman: Overlooking Combe Martin
Little Hangman is also very impressive, standing about 716 feet (218 meters) high. It looks over the village of Combe Martin, which is at the edge of Exmoor National Park. Both Great and Little Hangman are part of the South West Coast Path. They are also located in a special area known for its outstanding natural beauty.
What are the Cliffs Made Of?
These huge cliffs are made from a very thick type of sandstone. This rock is known as the Hangman Sandstone Formation. It was formed millions of years ago during a time called the Devonian Period. Over time, the rocks were pushed and folded by powerful forces in the Earth. There was even a small, old mine for iron ore below Great Hangman at a place called Blackstone Point.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Hangman" is quite interesting! The cliffs were first called "Hangman Hill" in 1792. There's a local legend that tries to explain the name.
The Legend of the Sheep Stealer
The story goes that a man who stole sheep was walking over the hill. He had a stolen sheep tied over his shoulder. When he stopped to rest, the sheep struggled. The rope around its legs tightened and slipped around the man's neck, accidentally strangling him. That's how the legend says the cliffs got their name!
A More Likely Explanation
However, it's more likely that the name "Hangman" comes from a mix of old languages. The Welsh word Mynydd means "mountain," and the old Germanic word hang means "slope." So, the name "Hangman" probably means "sloping hill." This makes a lot of sense when you look at the shape of the cliffs.
Hangman Cliffs in Fiction
Great Hangman has even appeared in books! It's part of the setting for Meet the Tiger. This was the first book in a long series about a character called "The Saint," written by Leslie Charteris. In the story, "The Saint" (whose real name is Simon Templar) stays on Great Hangman. He uses an old World War I building to watch a gangster from Chicago who is staying in the nearby village of Combe Martin.
