Nine Barrow Down

Nine Barrow Down

Nine Barrow Down from the north of Swyre Head
Highest point
Elevation 199 m (653 ft)
Prominence c. 152 metres (499 ft)
Parent peak Lewesdon Hill
Listing Marilyn
Geography
Location Purbeck Hills, England
OS grid SZ008811
Topo map

OS Landranger 195

Explorer 15E

Nine Barrow Down is an elongated hill forming the northern ridge of the Purbeck Hills on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, England. The chalk down is part of the extensive Southern England Chalk Formation. The eastern end of the ridge, which carries the highest point, is also sometimes known as Godlingston Hill. The col of the railway cutting at Harman's Cross means that it has sufficient relative height that it qualifies as a Marilyn.

The hill has views to the north across Poole Harbour and to the south the other ridge of the Purbeck Hills, including Swyre Head. To the south-east Swanage and its Bay can be seen. Along the ridge there are nine barrows — stone age burial mounds — hence the name.

Until recently the hill was topped with a trig point, but this has been removed by the farmer with the permission of Ordnance Survey: the trig point and its concrete base can be seen on its side just to the south of the bridleway. The highest point is within a field marked "No public access".

Ecologically the ridge is largely calcareous grassland grazed by cattle, sheep and rabbits, with limited arable use. It is also the site for the 2 kW Heart South Coast Transmitter on 102.3 and for the NOW Digital Multiplexes.

Coordinates: 50°37′47″N 1°59′24″W / 50.62960°N 1.99005°W / 50.62960; -1.99005

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, March 21, 2013. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.