Kerridge Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kerridge Hill |
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|---|---|
| Kerridge Ridge | |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 313 metres (1,027 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Cheshire, England |
| OS grid | SJ 942760 |
| Topo map | OS Explorer OL24 |
Kerridge Hill (also known as Kerridge Ridge) is a lovely hill located in Cheshire, England. It sits close to the small village of Kerridge, which is just outside the town of Bollington. The very top of the hill is about 313 meters (or 1,027 feet) above sea level. The River Dean flows along the eastern side of the hill, adding to its natural beauty.
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White Nancy: A Special Landmark
One of the most famous sights on Kerridge Hill is White Nancy. This unique landmark stands proudly near the northern end of the hill. It's a white, sugarloaf-shaped building, which means it looks a bit like a cone or a giant sugar cube.
White Nancy was built way back in 1817. It was created for John Gaskell Junior, who lived nearby, to celebrate a big victory. This victory was the Battle of Waterloo, where the Duke of Wellington led his army to success. The building is made of stone covered in a white plaster. You can't go inside anymore, but it used to have a room with a round stone table and a curved stone bench. White Nancy is so important that it's protected as a Grade II listed building.
Kerridge Hill Nature Reserve
Kerridge Hill is a special place for nature. It has been named a nature reserve, which means it's protected to help plants and animals thrive. Since 2019, the Cheshire Wildlife Trust has owned and managed this reserve.
The reserve is full of different kinds of plants, especially wildflowers. You can find beautiful flowers like betony, devils-bit scabious, and knapweed. These flowers make the grassland a perfect home for pollinators.
Amazing Wildlife
Many insects love the flowers on Kerridge Hill. You can spot bumblebees buzzing around and at least 10 different types of butterflies. Look out for the small heath, wall brown, and small skipper butterflies.
The reserve is also home to many birds. You might hear the songs of the blackcap and chiffchaff. If you visit in the evening, you might even hear a tawny owl. In the autumn, a rare type of mushroom called the waxcap mushroom grows in the grass.
History of the Quarries
On the western side of Kerridge Hill, there are old stone quarries. These include Bridge Quarry (which used to be called Victoria Quarry) and Marksend Quarry. A special stone, dated 1830, marks the boundary between these two quarries. This stone is also a protected Grade II listed item.
Below Bridge Quarry, you'll find Endon Hall. This building was constructed in the 1830s by William Clayton, who owned the local quarries at the time.
Army Tests on the Hill
In the mid-1940s, Kerridge Hill was used for some interesting army tests. A special unit from the British Army, called the Royal Signal Corps Trials Unit, would bring a large truck with a dish-shaped antenna up the hill.
They used this equipment to test sending and receiving signals using cathode-ray tubes. These were early ways of sending data, not images. The army team would send a signal from Kerridge Hill to another truck that was driven further and further away. Eventually, they were able to send a signal all the way to the south coast of England!
Popular Walking Trails
Kerridge Hill is a great place for walking. Two well-known long-distance footpaths run along the ridge.
The Gritstone Trail
The Gritstone Trail is a popular walking path that follows the ridge of Kerridge Hill. It goes between Tower Hill and White Nancy, offering amazing views.
Peak District Boundary Walk
The Peak District Boundary Walk also follows the same route as the Gritstone Trail along the ridge. This path continues through Bollington. Even though Kerridge Hill is very close to the Peak District National Park (less than 1 kilometer away), it is just outside the park's official boundary.
