Beacon Hill

Heritage Site in Sussex Chichester

England

Beacon Hill

Harting Down
Harting Down Credit: PAUL FARMER

Beacon Hill, located in Sussex, England, is a renowned heritage site that holds great historical and archaeological significance. Situated on the South Downs, this prominent hill stands at an elevation of 242 meters, providing visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Neolithic period. The hill is home to several Bronze Age burial mounds, known as round barrows, indicating its importance as a ceremonial site during ancient times.

During the Roman occupation of Britain, Beacon Hill served as a prominent beacon station, where signal fires were lit to communicate important messages across long distances. This function continued in later centuries, with the hill playing a crucial role in the defense system against potential invasions.

In addition to its historical significance, Beacon Hill is also a haven for wildlife and offers a diverse range of flora and fauna. The chalk grasslands found on the hillside support a variety of rare and endangered species, including the Adonis blue butterfly and the chalkhill blue butterfly.

The site is managed and protected by the National Trust, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Visitors can explore the hill through well-maintained footpaths and trails, enjoying the scenic beauty and immersing themselves in the rich history that Beacon Hill has to offer.

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Beacon Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.9583/-0.8522 or Grid Reference SU8018. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Harting Down
Harting Down
Direction Sign – Signpost on Elsted Road, Harting Located on the southwest side of the crossroads of Elsted Road and Hill Lane in Harting parish. 3 arms and annulus finial. See also <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2163747" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2163747">Link</a>.

Milestone Society National ID: SX_SU7919C
Direction Sign – Signpost on Elsted Road, Harting
Located on the southwest side of the crossroads of Elsted Road and Hill Lane in Harting parish. 3 arms and annulus finial. See also Link. Milestone Society National ID: SX_SU7919C
Signpost on the South Downs The view of the Signpost on the South Downs Way, at the foot of Beacon Hill.
Signpost on the South Downs
The view of the Signpost on the South Downs Way, at the foot of Beacon Hill.
Beacon Hill The view of the 242m top on the South Downs.
Beacon Hill
The view of the 242m top on the South Downs.
New Year's Day 2022: a Bono moment seen from Elsted Churchyard Also see <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://genius.com/U2-new-years-day-lyrics" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://genius.com/U2-new-years-day-lyrics">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>
New Year's Day 2022: a Bono moment seen from Elsted Churchyard
Also see LinkExternal link
St Paul, Elsted at Christmas (I)
St Paul, Elsted at Christmas (I)
St Paul, Elsted at Christmas (II) Christmas has been a special time for two millennia, perhaps especially so during wars and pandemics. In England it traditionally starts with the unveiling of the Harrods Christmas Display in July! All the infant schools I worked at started rehearsals for the Nativity Play as soon as we reurned after Autumn Half Term. As November progresses most shops and a large number of homes have some indication it is "the most wonderful time of the year". Traditionalists usually wait for the first Sunday in Advent; while, for children, Advent Calendar Day marks the start of a chocolatey month! In the past there really were 12 Days of celebration but nowadays people start saying "Did you have a good Christmas?" on the 27th. On the other hand a vicar friend of mine keeps his decorations up until Candlemass, 2nd February...
St Paul, Elsted at Christmas (II)
Christmas has been a special time for two millennia, perhaps especially so during wars and pandemics. In England it traditionally starts with the unveiling of the Harrods Christmas Display in July! All the infant schools I worked at started rehearsals for the Nativity Play as soon as we reurned after Autumn Half Term. As November progresses most shops and a large number of homes have some indication it is "the most wonderful time of the year". Traditionalists usually wait for the first Sunday in Advent; while, for children, Advent Calendar Day marks the start of a chocolatey month! In the past there really were 12 Days of celebration but nowadays people start saying "Did you have a good Christmas?" on the 27th. On the other hand a vicar friend of mine keeps his decorations up until Candlemass, 2nd February...
St Paul, Elsted at Christmas (III) Christmas has been a special time for two millennia, perhaps especially so during wars and pandemics. In England it traditionally starts with the unveiling of the Harrods Christmas Display in July! All the infant schools I worked at started rehearsals for the Nativity Play as soon as we reurned after Autumn Half Term. As November progresses most shops and a large number of homes have some indication it is "the most wonderful time of the year". Traditionalists usually wait for the first Sunday in Advent; while, for children, Advent Calendar Day marks the start of a chocolatey month! In the past there really were 12 Days of celebration but nowadays people start saying "Did you have a good Christmas?" on the 27th. On the other hand a vicar friend of mine keeps his decorations up until Candlemass, 2nd February...
St Paul, Elsted at Christmas (III)
Christmas has been a special time for two millennia, perhaps especially so during wars and pandemics. In England it traditionally starts with the unveiling of the Harrods Christmas Display in July! All the infant schools I worked at started rehearsals for the Nativity Play as soon as we reurned after Autumn Half Term. As November progresses most shops and a large number of homes have some indication it is "the most wonderful time of the year". Traditionalists usually wait for the first Sunday in Advent; while, for children, Advent Calendar Day marks the start of a chocolatey month! In the past there really were 12 Days of celebration but nowadays people start saying "Did you have a good Christmas?" on the 27th. On the other hand a vicar friend of mine keeps his decorations up until Candlemass, 2nd February...
Winter tree just outside Elsted Churchyard
Winter tree just outside Elsted Churchyard
Buriton Farm, Treyford
Buriton Farm, Treyford
Treyford Treyford is situated in the GU29 0 postcode district which is stated to have the highest property price average (of £1,438,667) in West Sussex. Taken from the downland ridge to the south of the village as I was about to make the very steep descent towards it.
Treyford
Treyford is situated in the GU29 0 postcode district which is stated to have the highest property price average (of £1,438,667) in West Sussex. Taken from the downland ridge to the south of the village as I was about to make the very steep descent towards it.
Path through a beanfield south of Treyford Taken after the steep descent of Rook Clift.
Path through a beanfield south of Treyford
Taken after the steep descent of Rook Clift.
Treyford Manor & ruins of St Mary's church The house dates from c.1690-1710 and is currently undergoing major refurbishment and the church from C13. The latter was replaced by a large church in 1849 which was itself demolished in 1951. In 2021 Treyford's postcode district (GU29 0) was stated to have the highest average property prices (£1,438,667) in West Sussex.
Treyford Manor & ruins of St Mary's church
The house dates from c.1690-1710 and is currently undergoing major refurbishment and the church from C13. The latter was replaced by a large church in 1849 which was itself demolished in 1951. In 2021 Treyford's postcode district (GU29 0) was stated to have the highest average property prices (£1,438,667) in West Sussex.
Looking towards Harting Downs
Looking towards Harting Downs
Harting Downs South Downs by South Harting, rolling whaleback hills of chalk.
Harting Downs
South Downs by South Harting, rolling whaleback hills of chalk.
East Harting Hamlet surrounded by grassy fields below the scarp slope of the South Downs in West Sussex.
East Harting
Hamlet surrounded by grassy fields below the scarp slope of the South Downs in West Sussex.
South Downs  Way at Two Beech Gate The South Downs Way here crosses the B2141 Petersfield to Chichester Road. The Way continues to the right; the driveway straight ahead leads to Uppark <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/SU7717">SU7717</a>.
South Downs Way at Two Beech Gate
The South Downs Way here crosses the B2141 Petersfield to Chichester Road. The Way continues to the right; the driveway straight ahead leads to Uppark SU7717.
Portaloo installation on Harting Down Facilities being installed for the Trailwalker Challenge in September 2019. The Trailwalker is an annual event in aid of Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust in which teams of four have to walk, jog or run 100 km along the South Downs Way in under 30 hours.
Portaloo installation on Harting Down
Facilities being installed for the Trailwalker Challenge in September 2019. The Trailwalker is an annual event in aid of Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust in which teams of four have to walk, jog or run 100 km along the South Downs Way in under 30 hours.
Show me another place!

Beacon Hill is located at Grid Ref: SU8018 (Lat: 50.9583, Lng: -0.8522)

Administrative County: West Sussex

District: Chichester

Police Authority: Sussex

What 3 Words

///wreck.rebel.regulate. Near South Harting, West Sussex

Related Wikis

Beacon Hill, West Sussex

Beacon Hill, also known as Harting Beacon, is a hillfort on the South Downs, in the county of West Sussex in southern England. The hillfort is located...

Harting Downs

Harting Downs is a 336.3-hectare (831-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest west of Midhurst in West Sussex. It is a Nature Conservation...

Rook Clift

Rook Clift is a 10.7-hectare (26-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest east of South Harting in West Sussex. It is also a Special Area of...

Elsted and Treyford

Elsted and Treyford is a civil parish in the Chichester district of West Sussex, west of Midhurst. It contains the settlements of Elsted, Elsted Marsh...

Elsted

Elsted is a village, Anglican parish and former civil parish, now in the civil parish of Elsted and Treyford, in the Chichester district of West Sussex...

East Harting

East Harting is a hamlet in the Chichester district of West Sussex, England. It lies on the South Harting to Elsted road 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of...

Treyford

Treyford is a hamlet, Anglican parish and former civil parish, now in the civil parish of Elsted and Treyford, in the Chichester district of West Sussex...

Devil's Jumps, Treyford

The Devil's Jumps are a group of five large bell barrows situated on the South Downs 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) south-east of Treyford in the county of West...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.9583,-0.8522
Pen Hill
Ele: 215
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 50.958/-0.845315
Beacon Hill
Ele: 242
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 50.9591/-0.8519501
Ele: 242
Man Made: survey_point
Ref: OS 54050
Wikipedia: en:Triangulation station
Lat/Long: 50.9591038/-0.8519935
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 50.9590159/-0.8519206
Barrier: cattle_grid
Lat/Long: 50.957984/-0.845327
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 50.9585045/-0.8483537
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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