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Creech Barrow Hill

Coordinates: 50°38′29.48″N 2°6′37.16″W / 50.6415222°N 2.1103222°W / 50.6415222; -2.1103222
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Creech Barrow Hill
Creech Barrow Hill seen from the area of Stonehill Down to the south
Highest point
Elevation193 m (633 ft)[1]
Prominence38 m (125 ft)[1]
Parent peakSwyre Head[1]
ListingTump
Coordinates50°38′29.48″N 2°6′37.16″W / 50.6415222°N 2.1103222°W / 50.6415222; -2.1103222
Geography
Map
LocationDorset, England
Parent rangeDorset Heaths
OS gridSY921823
Topo mapOS Landranger 195
Geology
Mountain typeCenozoic
Creech Barrow Hill seen from the north

Creech Barrow Hill is a steep, conical hill, 193 metres (633 ft)[2] (one source 637 feet[3]) high, near the coast of Dorset, England, and the highest point of the Dorset Heaths.[4][5] It has been described as "one of Dorset's most distinctive landmarks."[3] Geologically, it is also the highest Cenozoic hill in England.[6]

There is a single, round barrow at the summit that gives Creech Barrow Hill its name and, from some angles, the appearance of a double summit.[3] To the southeast is Stone Hill Down long barrow.[7] There is also a trig point on the summit.[2]

The name of the hill means "hill" three times. "Creech" is derived from the Celtic crich = hill and "barrow" from the Saxon for "mound".[8]

The hill is a classic viewpoint that was once the site of King John's hunting lodge.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Prominence from Summit Listings by Relative Height by Mark Jackson, compiled by Jonathan de Ferranti. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  2. ^ a b Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger series, no. 195.
  3. ^ a b c The Purbeck 'volcano' at dorsetlife.co.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  4. ^ Dorset Heaths – Natural Area Profile, by English Nature, Oct 1997, at naturalareas.naturalengland.org.uk. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
  5. ^ Natural England's NCA profile gives the highest point of the Dorset Heaths as only 174 m, despite including Creech Barrow Hill within the boundary of the NCA.
  6. ^ NCA 135: Dorset Heaths – Key Facts & Data at naturalengland.org.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  7. ^ Creech Barrow at themodernantiquarian.com. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  8. ^ a b East Creech at dorsetlife.co.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2013.