The Beacon

Hill, Mountain in Cumberland Carlisle

England

The Beacon

Green's Burn A moorland stream, tributary of Cam Beck which feeds into the River Irthing.
Green's Burn Credit: Karl and Ali

The Beacon, Cumberland, also known as The Beacon Hill or The Beacon Mountain, is a prominent landmark located in the town of Cumberland, Rhode Island, in the United States. Rising to an elevation of approximately 282 feet (86 meters), it stands as one of the highest points in the region. The Beacon is situated within the 370-acre Cumberland Monastery property, which encompasses a mix of woodlands, fields, and wetlands.

The Beacon offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, allowing visitors to admire the picturesque scenery that stretches over the Blackstone Valley and beyond. On clear days, one can see as far as the Providence skyline to the south and the Massachusetts border to the north. The summit is accessible via a moderately challenging hiking trail, which leads visitors through a dense forest before reaching the open summit area.

Due to its strategic location and stunning vistas, The Beacon has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers alike. It provides a tranquil setting for recreational activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and photography. The Beacon also serves as a prime spot for watching sunrises and sunsets, offering an unparalleled experience for visitors seeking a moment of serenity and natural beauty.

In addition to its natural allure, The Beacon holds historical significance as well. It is said to have served as a beacon during the American Revolution, aiding in the communication between colonial forces. This connection to the past adds an extra layer of fascination to the site and attracts history enthusiasts to explore its grounds.

Overall, The Beacon in Cumberland stands as a magnificent hill or mountain, offering captivating views, recreational opportunities, and a touch of history to all who venture to its summit.

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The Beacon Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.039156/-2.6695771 or Grid Reference NY5771. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Green's Burn A moorland stream, tributary of Cam Beck which feeds into the River Irthing.
Green's Burn
A moorland stream, tributary of Cam Beck which feeds into the River Irthing.
The valley of Green's Burn Following the line of the invisible public footpath to a crossing of the burn in its lightly wooded valley.
The valley of Green's Burn
Following the line of the invisible public footpath to a crossing of the burn in its lightly wooded valley.
Path above Green's Burn The burn is shielded from view by a plantation of tall conifers.
Path above Green's Burn
The burn is shielded from view by a plantation of tall conifers.
Fawcettlees from the east
Fawcettlees from the east
Farm track near Tower Brae
Farm track near Tower Brae
Track at Herd Hill Taken with the sudden realisation that I had missed the bridleway that had turned off (un-signed) at Tower Brae. The farm in the distance is Woodhead <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1945265">NY5773 : Woodhead</a>
Track at Herd Hill
Taken with the sudden realisation that I had missed the bridleway that had turned off (un-signed) at Tower Brae. The farm in the distance is Woodhead NY5773 : Woodhead
Tower Brae
Tower Brae
Old track above Tower Brae
Old track above Tower Brae
Tower Brae near Espy Well
Tower Brae near Espy Well
Gate at Espy Bank
Gate at Espy Bank
Boggy plateau above Tower Brae
Boggy plateau above Tower Brae
North of The Beacon
North of The Beacon
The Beacon A list of beacons in Cumberland in the fifteenth century includes "Spadeadam Top, now known as Gillalees Beacon". Irregular traces of foundations were described in 1854 but nothing can be seen today. The OS triangulation pillar is set on top of a turf-covered earth and stone mound about 7.0m diameter and 0.6m maximum height and the medieval remains of the beacon may lie below.
Pastscape Monument No. 12969: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=12969" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=12969">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://web.archive.org/web/20170221114929/http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=12969" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170221114929/http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=12969">Archive Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
The Beacon
A list of beacons in Cumberland in the fifteenth century includes "Spadeadam Top, now known as Gillalees Beacon". Irregular traces of foundations were described in 1854 but nothing can be seen today. The OS triangulation pillar is set on top of a turf-covered earth and stone mound about 7.0m diameter and 0.6m maximum height and the medieval remains of the beacon may lie below. Pastscape Monument No. 12969: LinkExternal link Archive LinkExternal link
The Butt near Gillalees Beacon Also known as 'Robin Hood's Butt' (a possible reference to Robin Hood's Well nearby) this feature is known to be the remains of a Roman Signal Station, situated on the west side of the Maiden Way Roman Road between Birdoswald and Bewcastle.  It survives as a turf-covered mound, 13 m across and up to 1.9 m high, in the top of which can be seen traces of the structure of the tower. Estimates of the volume of tumbled stone around the tower suggest that it may have stood to a height of 6.1 m.

Traces of a ditch surrounding the mound on the north and east sides are difficult to see on the ground, as is the Roman Road.

It was suggested that signals from here "could be seen at Birdoswald or on the Wall, but not by the enemy to the north, so that a surprise move could be prepared in terrain well adapted to ambush". It is not in line of sight to the Roman Fort at Birdoswald but it is now thought that signals could have been relayed from another Signal Station on Barron's Pike <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NY5975">NY5975</a>
Pastscape: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=12986" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=12986">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://web.archive.org/web/20170222081919/http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=12986" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170222081919/http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=12986">Archive Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
The Butt near Gillalees Beacon
Also known as 'Robin Hood's Butt' (a possible reference to Robin Hood's Well nearby) this feature is known to be the remains of a Roman Signal Station, situated on the west side of the Maiden Way Roman Road between Birdoswald and Bewcastle. It survives as a turf-covered mound, 13 m across and up to 1.9 m high, in the top of which can be seen traces of the structure of the tower. Estimates of the volume of tumbled stone around the tower suggest that it may have stood to a height of 6.1 m. Traces of a ditch surrounding the mound on the north and east sides are difficult to see on the ground, as is the Roman Road. It was suggested that signals from here "could be seen at Birdoswald or on the Wall, but not by the enemy to the north, so that a surprise move could be prepared in terrain well adapted to ambush". It is not in line of sight to the Roman Fort at Birdoswald but it is now thought that signals could have been relayed from another Signal Station on Barron's Pike NY5975 Pastscape: LinkExternal link Archive LinkExternal link
North-east from The Butt A featureless boggy moorland area called Caudbeck Flow, bounded on the east side by the forest plantations that hide the Spadeadam military site. There is a description of The Butt here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5208930">NY5771 : The Butt near Gillalees Beacon</a>
North-east from The Butt
A featureless boggy moorland area called Caudbeck Flow, bounded on the east side by the forest plantations that hide the Spadeadam military site. There is a description of The Butt here NY5771 : The Butt near Gillalees Beacon
Bridleway near The Beacon The rickety gates through the double wire fence mark the passage through the boundary of an otherwise unseen bridleway. The recent double tracks of farmer's four-wheeled vehicles seem much more tempting but sadly go the wrong way and I leave their comfort for partly frozen bog.
Bridleway near The Beacon
The rickety gates through the double wire fence mark the passage through the boundary of an otherwise unseen bridleway. The recent double tracks of farmer's four-wheeled vehicles seem much more tempting but sadly go the wrong way and I leave their comfort for partly frozen bog.
Heading for Side Fell via Green Knoll There is the odd track here and it even manages to go in my direction for some of the time. Off the track it is wet and difficult ground and a long way to the distant forest where I have decided to go.
Heading for Side Fell via Green Knoll
There is the odd track here and it even manages to go in my direction for some of the time. Off the track it is wet and difficult ground and a long way to the distant forest where I have decided to go.
Green Knowe
Green Knowe
Show me another place!

The Beacon is located at Grid Ref: NY5771 (Lat: 55.039156, Lng: -2.6695771)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: Carlisle

Police Authority: Cumbria

What 3 Words

///named.reckoned.myth. Near Brampton, Cumbria

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The Beacon

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