Walbury Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walbury Hill |
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The view from Walbury Hill, looking towards Combe Gibbet
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 297 m (974 ft) |
| Prominence | c. 188 metres (617 ft) |
| Parent peak | Beacon Batch |
| Listing | Marilyn, County Top, Hardy |
| Geography | |
 Walbury Hill
Location in Berkshire
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| Location | North Wessex Downs AONB, Berkshire, England |
| OS grid | SU373616 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 174 |
Walbury Hill is a tall hill located in Berkshire, England. It is part of the beautiful North Wessex Downs area. At about 297 meters (974 feet) above sea level, Walbury Hill is the highest natural point in all of South East England. It's even a little bit taller than Leith Hill in Surrey!
This hill is a great place for walking. It's where two long-distance footpaths, the Test Way and the Wayfarer's Walk, begin. Walbury Hill is also part of a ridge that marks the boundary between Berkshire and Hampshire. It even stretches into Wiltshire. The hill is located about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) southeast of the town of Hungerford. It is part of the Kirby House estate, which is owned by the Astor family.
Walbury Camp: An Ancient Fort
At the very top of Walbury Hill, you can find the remains of an ancient place called Walbury Camp. This was an Iron Age hill fort. People built these forts a very long time ago, during the Iron Age, to protect themselves.
Near Walbury Camp, on a place called Gallows Down, stands the famous Combe Gibbet. This is a historic gallows, which is a structure used long ago for public executions.
There is also a small, round brick building on the south side of the hill. It's about 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall. This building looks like it used to be a reservoir, which is a place to store water.
The Summit and Its Uses
The highest point of Walbury Hill is marked by a special concrete pillar. This is called a triangulation pillar. It's about 100 meters (330 feet) away from the main Test Way path.
Years ago, before satellites were common, the BBC sometimes used Walbury Hill. They would set up a temporary relay station there. This helped them broadcast the Newbury Races to people's homes.
There isn't a paved road across the hill. However, the path is open to all vehicles. It has a hard gravel surface because of its past use by broadcast vehicles. The top of the hill is also a popular spot for people who enjoy paragliding. They launch themselves into the air and glide using a special parachute-like wing.
Nature and Wildlife
Walbury Hill is very important for nature. It is one of three special chalk grasslands in the North Wessex Downs. Chalk grasslands are rare habitats with unique plants and animals. The other two important areas are Rushmore and Conholt Downs, and part of Hog's Hole. These areas are protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). They are home to many different kinds of wildflowers and insects that thrive in chalky soil.
