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Payne's Down
Headwater valleys of the Blackwater - geograph.org.uk - 478348.jpg
View over the upper Blackwater valley to Payne's Down.
Highest point
Elevation 211 m (692 ft)
Prominence 62 m (203 ft)
Parent peak Lewesdon Hill
Listing Tump
Geography
Location Dorset, England
Parent range Marshwood & Powerstock Vales
OS grid ST385012
Topo map OS Landranger 193

Payne's Down is a cool hill in Dorset, a county in southern England. It stands about 211 meters (that's around 692 feet) tall. You can find it about 10 kilometers east-northeast of Axminster and 1 kilometer northwest of Birdsmoorgate.

This hill is special because it rises quite a bit from the land around it. Its "prominence" is 62 meters. This means it's listed as a "Tump," which is a type of hill with a certain height and prominence. Payne's Down is part of the beautiful Dorset Downs area.

Exploring Payne's Down

The top of Payne's Down is a long, narrow ridge. It mostly has trees and stretches from the northwest to the southeast. A small road runs along its northeastern side, where you can see a few scattered houses.

Nearby Landmarks

Payne's Down is surrounded by other interesting places.

  • About 3 kilometers to the southwest, you'll find Lambert's Castle. This is an ancient hill fort, which means it was once a fortified settlement on top of a hill. It stands 258 meters high.
  • Across the valley of the River Synderford to the northeast is Pilsdon Pen. This is another famous hill, standing 277 meters tall.
  • Further north, you can see Blackdown Hill.

Walking and Trails

If you love walking, you'll be interested to know that the Wessex Ridgeway trail passes right by the west side of Payne's Down. This long-distance path is a great way to explore the countryside.

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