Bronkham Hill

Hill, Mountain in Dorset

England

Bronkham Hill

Hardy Monument in 1983 Not quite a lighthouse for a sailor on Black Down
Hardy Monument in 1983 Credit: Kevin Waterhouse

Bronkham Hill, located in Dorset, England, is a prominent hill and notable landmark in the region. With an elevation of approximately 242 meters (794 feet), it offers picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes. The hill is situated within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, adding to its allure.

Bronkham Hill is adorned with undulating grassy slopes, interspersed with patches of woodland, creating a diverse habitat for various flora and fauna. The hill is primarily composed of chalk, which is evident from the presence of chalk grasslands that flourish on its slopes. These grasslands are home to a range of rare and protected plant species, including orchids, harebell, and cowslips.

The summit of Bronkham Hill is characterized by a distinct flat area, known as the hillfort, which is believed to date back to the Iron Age. This archaeological site is enclosed by an ancient earthwork, and its purpose is thought to have been defensive. The hillfort offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich history and provides an ideal spot for recreational activities such as picnics and leisurely walks.

Accessible footpaths and trails traverse Bronkham Hill, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The hill is a popular destination for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers, who are drawn to its tranquil ambiance and breathtaking vistas.

Overall, Bronkham Hill in Dorset offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and recreational opportunities, making it a cherished destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Bronkham Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.680325/-2.530148 or Grid Reference SY6286. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hardy Monument in 1983 Not quite a lighthouse for a sailor on Black Down
Hardy Monument in 1983
Not quite a lighthouse for a sailor on Black Down
The Hardy Monument in the mist, Black Down, Dorset The monument commemorates Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy (1769-1839), best known as Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), at which Nelson was mortally wounded. Black Down is an area of heathland and a viewpoint. The stones bear the irritating instruction BE STILL / CLOSE / YOUR EYES / BREATHE / LISTEN.
The Hardy Monument in the mist, Black Down, Dorset
The monument commemorates Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy (1769-1839), best known as Captain of HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), at which Nelson was mortally wounded. Black Down is an area of heathland and a viewpoint. The stones bear the irritating instruction BE STILL / CLOSE / YOUR EYES / BREATHE / LISTEN.
View towards Lyme Bay from Black Down Somewhere in the mist in this direction is Abbotsbury with Chesil Beach beyond. The Isle of Portland is out of view to the left. The Hardy Monument is some way behind the camera: <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7285588">SY6187 : The Hardy Monument in the mist, Black Down, Dorset</a>.
View towards Lyme Bay from Black Down
Somewhere in the mist in this direction is Abbotsbury with Chesil Beach beyond. The Isle of Portland is out of view to the left. The Hardy Monument is some way behind the camera: SY6187 : The Hardy Monument in the mist, Black Down, Dorset.
Pylon brought down, Dorset AONB (1/2) National Grid has undergrounded nearly nine kilometres of high-voltage transmission cables, then demolished and removed 22 pylons in this part of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scheme is the first in a programme to enhance and restore landscape in Britain's AONBs and National Parks. See the Dorset AONB website <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/news/pylons-coming-down-in-dorset/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/news/pylons-coming-down-in-dorset/">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> and that of National Grid <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.nationalgrid.com/pylons-coming-down-dorset-major-national-grid-project-nears-completion" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.nationalgrid.com/pylons-coming-down-dorset-major-national-grid-project-nears-completion">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>
Other pylons can be seen on the skyline. National Grid's sign apologises for any inconvenience. Locations were provided by the photographer for the purpose of this submission.
Pylon brought down, Dorset AONB (1/2)
National Grid has undergrounded nearly nine kilometres of high-voltage transmission cables, then demolished and removed 22 pylons in this part of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scheme is the first in a programme to enhance and restore landscape in Britain's AONBs and National Parks. See the Dorset AONB website LinkExternal link and that of National Grid LinkExternal link Other pylons can be seen on the skyline. National Grid's sign apologises for any inconvenience. Locations were provided by the photographer for the purpose of this submission.
Pylon brought down, Dorset AONB (2/2)  National Grid has undergrounded nearly nine kilometres of high-voltage transmission cables, then demolished and removed 22 pylons in this part of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scheme is the first in a programme to enhance and restore landscape in Britain's AONBs and National Parks. See the Dorset AONB website <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/news/pylons-coming-down-in-dorset/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.dorsetaonb.org.uk/news/pylons-coming-down-in-dorset/">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> and that of National Grid <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.nationalgrid.com/pylons-coming-down-dorset-major-national-grid-project-nears-completion" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.nationalgrid.com/pylons-coming-down-dorset-major-national-grid-project-nears-completion">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>
Other pylons can be seen on the skyline. National Grid's sign apologises for any inconvenience. Locations were provided by the photographer for the purpose of this submission.
Pylon brought down, Dorset AONB (2/2)
National Grid has undergrounded nearly nine kilometres of high-voltage transmission cables, then demolished and removed 22 pylons in this part of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scheme is the first in a programme to enhance and restore landscape in Britain's AONBs and National Parks. See the Dorset AONB website LinkExternal link and that of National Grid LinkExternal link Other pylons can be seen on the skyline. National Grid's sign apologises for any inconvenience. Locations were provided by the photographer for the purpose of this submission.
On the road leading up Black Down from Martinstown
On the road leading up Black Down from Martinstown
Hardy Monument, Black Down, Dorset
Hardy Monument, Black Down, Dorset
The South Dorset Ridgeway on Bronkham Hill
The South Dorset Ridgeway on Bronkham Hill
The South Dorset Ridgeway on Bronkham Hill
The South Dorset Ridgeway on Bronkham Hill
Sheep on Corton Hill
Sheep on Corton Hill
Anyone seen Hardy Monument?
Anyone seen Hardy Monument?
Hardy Monument and Signpost
Hardy Monument and Signpost
Pylons (and Portland), Corton Down
Pylons (and Portland), Corton Down
Shake Holes, Barrow and Boundary, Bronkham Hill Preston and Weymouth can be seen in the distance below this position on the South Dorset Ridgeway. The cliff of White Nothe lies in the top left hand corner of the image.
Shake Holes, Barrow and Boundary, Bronkham Hill
Preston and Weymouth can be seen in the distance below this position on the South Dorset Ridgeway. The cliff of White Nothe lies in the top left hand corner of the image.
Shake Hole with Gorse The presence of the gorse indicates Tertiary deposits lying on top of the chalk of the South Dorset Ridgeway. Acidic rainwater filtering through these deposits (made more acidic by passage through humus formed from decay of vegetation) dissolves the underling chalk preferentially at sites where it collects in this layer. The overlying Tertiary gravel then collapses in, forming the shake hole. A shake hole in formation can be seen at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1022756">SY6286 : Partially formed Shakehole, Bronkham Hill</a> and the position of this site on the ridge more clearly seen at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2315152">SY6286 : Shake Holes, Barrow and Boundary, Bronkham Hill</a>.
Shake Hole with Gorse
The presence of the gorse indicates Tertiary deposits lying on top of the chalk of the South Dorset Ridgeway. Acidic rainwater filtering through these deposits (made more acidic by passage through humus formed from decay of vegetation) dissolves the underling chalk preferentially at sites where it collects in this layer. The overlying Tertiary gravel then collapses in, forming the shake hole. A shake hole in formation can be seen at SY6286 : Partially formed Shakehole, Bronkham Hill and the position of this site on the ridge more clearly seen at SY6286 : Shake Holes, Barrow and Boundary, Bronkham Hill.
Shake Hole and Barrow below Hardy Monument
Shake Hole and Barrow below Hardy Monument
View across to Portland From just east of Hardy Monument.
View across to Portland
From just east of Hardy Monument.
Black Down Barn
Black Down Barn
Show me another place!

Bronkham Hill is located at Grid Ref: SY6286 (Lat: 50.680325, Lng: -2.530148)

Unitary Authority: Dorset

Police Authority: Dorset

What 3 Words

///roaming.gashes.resources. Near Chickerell, Dorset

Nearby Locations

Bronkham Hill

Related Wikis

Hardy Monument

The Hardy Monument (sometimes referred to as Hardy's Monument) is a 72-foot-high (22 m) monument on the summit of Black Down in Dorset, erected in 1844...

Black Down, Dorset

Black Down is a hill on the South Dorset Ridgeway about 2 kilometres north-northeast of the village of Portesham in the county of Dorset, England and around...

St Bartholomew's Chapel, Corton

St Bartholomew's Chapel is a Church of England chapel in Corton, near Weymouth, Dorset, England. The chapel has early 13th century origins, with later...

Corton Cutting

Corton Cutting (grid reference SY637855) is a 0.24 hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Dorset, England, notified in 1997. The site...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.680325,-2.530148
Material: wood
Power: pole
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 50.6776429/-2.5355288
Material: wood
Power: pole
Source: bing
Transformer: distribution
Lat/Long: 50.6787244/-2.5361905
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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