Fenny Castle Hill

Hill, Mountain in Somerset Mendip

England

Fenny Castle Hill

Junction, Godney See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2065537">ST4942 : Lane junction at Godney</a>, with a different view of the junction. — Junction, Godney Credit: Derek Harper

Fenny Castle Hill is an ancient hill located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated near the village of Wookey, it is known for its historical significance and natural beauty. Rising to an elevation of 133 meters (436 feet), it stands as a prominent landmark in the surrounding landscape.

The hill is believed to have been inhabited since the Iron Age, with evidence of settlements dating back thousands of years. Fenny Castle Hill gets its name from the remains of a medieval castle that once stood on its summit. The castle, built in the 12th century, was a motte-and-bailey structure and was later abandoned in the 14th century. Today, only faint earthworks and remnants of the castle's foundations can be found.

The hill is covered in lush grasslands, offering picturesque views of the surrounding countryside. It is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rich biodiversity. The diverse flora and fauna found on the hill include various wildflowers, butterflies, and bird species, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Visitors can explore the hill by following footpaths that wind through its slopes. The climb to the summit is moderately challenging but rewarding, offering panoramic views of the Somerset Levels and Mendip Hills. Fenny Castle Hill is a significant historical and natural site, attracting both locals and tourists who appreciate its beauty and heritage.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Fenny Castle Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.189073/-2.705173 or Grid Reference ST5043. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Junction, Godney

See also ST4942 : Lane junction at Godney, with a different view of the junction.

Derek Harper

Godney Drove

Running across the levels between Godney and Bleadney, becoming Yeap's Drove further north. It's starting to rain heavily.

Derek Harper

Hurn Drove

The oak tree to the right of the camera provides welcome shelter while donning a raincoat as the heavens have opened. This is at the junction of Tripps, Yeap's, Godney and Hurn Droves.

Derek Harper

Towards Shott's Farm

A rainswept corner of the levels, seen from Hurn Drove.

Derek Harper

Junction of droves near Hurn Farm

The unusually winding route of the lanes is determined by the circuitous course of the River Sheppey, just to the right. Left here is Leaze Drove; right is Ashmoor Drove. ST4944 : Turning for Bleadney shows the junction from the opposite side. It's raining steadily, which explains the water on the lens in spite of best efforts to keep it dry.

Derek Harper

Ashmoor Drove

A large tree offers a chance to dry the lens (see ST4944 : Junction of droves near Hurn Farm) while the rain continues. Across the levels in Longstring Farm at the foot of Yarley Hill.

Derek Harper

Field near Henton

Looking up the slopes of Yarley Hill from the B3139 east of Henton.

Derek Harper

View from Godney Drove, looking south east

Rob Purvis

Flow Measuring Station on River Sheppey

The River Sheppey is a significant watercourse on this part of the Somerset Levels, taking water from the foot of the Mendips at Wells, meandering around Godney and into the rhynes that feed the River Brue. The Environment Agency monitor the river flow and can thus predict flooding: data available at Link

Edwin Graham

Pasture on Yeap's Drove

With bent gate. Looking northeast over part of Godney Moor. Google Earth imagery from 2009 shows that these drains had been recently cleared, with bare banks, and an unbent gate.

M J Richardson

Pasture from Yeap's Drove

Looking east across one of the many low-lying fields in the area separated by drains.

M J Richardson

Pill Box in Godney

I've come across several of these on the levels. Heaven knows what they were defending!

Graham Richards

Derelict House on the Levels

It amazes me that there are houses on the levels. They must flood from time to time and what with global warming!!! The area is marked as Piggery on the 25,000 map but there are no pigs there now.

Graham Richards

River Sheppey flow measuring station

The discharge of the river Sheppey is measured at this point.

Sharon Loxton

Rhine and Hurn Drove

A deeply cut rhine running parallel to Hurn drove as it descends onto Godney Moor.

Sharon Loxton

Type 29 Pill Box on 'Stop Line Green'

This pill box is in Upper Godney just to the north of the river Sheppey. Stop Line Green was a 100 mile continuous semi-circular defensive line (also known as Bristol Outer Defences). It ran from Highbridge on the Bristol Channel in the south to Upper Framilode on the river Severn in the north. It was a last line of defence against an attack from the east and was built on the assumption that the Germans had already advanced this far west. It was designed to defend Bristol and so keep the port open for evacuation, resupply or reinforcements. There were many other 'stop lines' in Southern Britain, with different colour codes, all designed to be a hindrance to tanks in the event of an invasion. (Taken from 'Warwalks - Stop Line Green' by Major Green - 1999.)

Sharon Loxton

Sheep Grazing

Sheep grazing on low lying pasture near the village of Upper Godney on the Somerset Levels. The Mendip Hills can be seen in the far distance.

Sharon Loxton

Pill Box in Upper Godney

This Pill Box is just to the south of the river Sheppey and is nowhere near as obvious as the other pill box in this square as it is behind a farm making it somewhat inaccessible. It is a Type 29 Pill Box on 'Stop Line Green'. Stop Line Green was a 100 mile continuous semi-circular defensive line (also known as Bristol Outer Defences). It ran from Highbridge on the Bristol Channel in the south to Upper Framilode on the river Severn in the north. It was a last line of defence against an attack from the east and was built on the assumption that the Germans had already advanced this far west. It was designed to defend Bristol and so keep the port open for evacuation, resupply or reinforcements. There were many other 'stop lines' in Southern Britain, with different colour codes, all designed to be a hindrance to tanks in the event of an invasion. (Taken from 'Warwalks - Stop Line Green' by Major Green - 1999.)

Sharon Loxton

Show me another place!

Fenny Castle Hill is located at Grid Ref: ST5043 (Lat: 51.189073, Lng: -2.705173)

Administrative County: Somerset

District: Mendip

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset