Pen Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pen Hill |
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Pen Hill and the Mendip TV Mast
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 305 m (1,001 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 47 m |
| Geography | |
| Location | Mendip Hills, England |
| OS grid | ST564488 |
| Topo map | OS Landrangers 182, 183 |
Pen Hill is a special hill located in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England. It's part of a flat, high area called a plateau. This hill is found in a local area known as St Cuthbert Out parish, within the Mendip District.
About Pen Hill
Pen Hill is one of the highest points in the Mendip Hills. It reaches 305 metres (about 1,001 feet) above sea level. At the very top, you'll find an Ordnance Survey trig point. This is a special marker used by mapmakers.
What's in a Name?
The name "Pen" comes from an old language called Celtic. In Celtic, "Pen" means "hill" or "tor." So, the name Pen Hill basically means "Hill Hill"! This name is also used for a type of rock layer found deep under the hills.
The Mendip TV Mast
Pen Hill is home to the Mendip TV Mast. This is a very tall structure, standing 281 metres (922 feet) high. It helps broadcast TV signals to many homes. You can see it from far away.
Amazing Views
From the top of Pen Hill, you can see for miles in every direction. The views are especially good towards the south. You can clearly see the city of Wells and its famous Wells Cathedral. This beautiful cathedral is only about 2 miles (3 kilometres) away.
On a clear day, you might even see across the whole county of Somerset. You can spot other hill ranges like the Blackdown Hills, Quantock Hills, and Brendon Hills.
History on the Hill
Pen Hill has a long history. There are very old remains on the hill from ancient times.
One of these is a neolithic Long barrow. This is a type of ancient burial mound built by people long, long ago. It is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means it's an important historical site that must be preserved.
You can also find a "pillow mound" on the hill. This was built more recently, after the Middle Ages. These mounds were specially made to help raise rabbits for food.
