Beacon Batch

Infobox Mountain
Name = Beacon Batch
Photo = beacon_batch_lowres.jpg
Caption = A view across Black Down from Beacon Batch in the Mendip Hills
Elevation = 325 m (1,068 ft)
Location = Mendip Hills, England
Range =
Prominence = "c." 241 m
Parent peak = Dunkery Beacon
Coordinates =
Topographic
OS "Landranger" 141
Type =
Age =
Easiest route =
Grid_ref_UK = ST484572
Listing = Marilyn
Translation =
Language =
Pronunciation =

Beacon Batch is the highest point in the Mendip Hills, Somerset, south-western England. It lies just a few miles eastward of the Bristol Channel at Weston-super-Mare, and gives views over the Chew Valley. The shortest route of ascent goes from the Burrington Combe car park and is approximately 1 km long.

It is the site of bronze age round barrows, one of which is the site of the concrete Trig point. All of the barrows show signs of being opened in the past but the only one which is recorded is by Rev J. Skinner in 1820. [cite book |last=Adkins |first=Lesley and Roy |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=A field Guide to Somerset Archeology |year=1992 |publisher=Dovecote press |location=Stanbridge |isbn=0946159947 ]

In the Second World War, a bombing decoy was constructed on top of Black Down, and piles of stones (known as cairns) were created to prevent enemy aircraft using the hilltop as a landing site.

It is thought the name Black Down comes from the Saxon word Blac or Bloec Dun meaning bleak, down or fort. [cite web |url=http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk/publications/up_081015_autumn07_lo.pdf |title=Autumn newsletter 2007 |accessdate=2007-09-25 |format=PDF |work=Mendip Hills AONB ]

References