Benty Hill

Heritage Site in Cumberland Eden

England

Benty Hill

Old Milestone by the A686, south west of Hartside House Carved stone post by the A686, in parish of ALSTON MOOR (EDEN District), South West of Hartside House, on grass verge, near field gate, on South side of road. Alston stone, erected by the Alston turnpike trust in the 19th century. 

Inscription reads:-
ALSTON
3
PENRITH
16
Carved benchmark and rivet on top front.

Grade II Listed. List Entry Number: 1144985 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1144985" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1144985">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>

Milestone Society National ID: CU_ALPR03.
Old Milestone by the A686, south west of Hartside House Credit: Barbara Todd

Benty Hill, located in Cumberland, is a renowned heritage site that holds significant historical and cultural importance. Nestled in the picturesque countryside, it is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists alike.

Benty Hill is an ancient burial mound that dates back to the Neolithic period, making it approximately 4,000 years old. The site is believed to have been used for ceremonial and religious purposes by the prehistoric inhabitants of the region. The hill is an impressive structure, standing at around 15 feet high and with a diameter of approximately 50 feet. Its unique shape and size have made it a notable landmark in the area.

The burial mound is surrounded by a circular ditch, which was likely used for defensive purposes or to demarcate the sacred space. Archaeologists have discovered various artifacts and human remains within the mound, shedding light on the practices and beliefs of the ancient people who buried their dead here.

Today, Benty Hill is protected as a scheduled ancient monument, meaning that it is legally protected from any damage or alteration. The site is open to the public, allowing visitors to explore the hill and learn about its rich history. Information boards and guided tours provide further insights into the significance of Benty Hill and its place in the wider context of ancient British history.

Benty Hill is not only a fascinating archaeological site but also a place of natural beauty. Its tranquil surroundings and panoramic views of the countryside make it a perfect spot for peaceful walks and picnics, further enhancing its appeal to visitors.

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

Benty Hill Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.785/-2.505 or Grid Reference NY6743. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old Milestone by the A686, south west of Hartside House Carved stone post by the A686, in parish of ALSTON MOOR (EDEN District), South West of Hartside House, on grass verge, near field gate, on South side of road. Alston stone, erected by the Alston turnpike trust in the 19th century. 

Inscription reads:-
ALSTON
3
PENRITH
16
Carved benchmark and rivet on top front.

Grade II Listed. List Entry Number: 1144985 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1144985" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1144985">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>

Milestone Society National ID: CU_ALPR03.
Old Milestone by the A686, south west of Hartside House
Carved stone post by the A686, in parish of ALSTON MOOR (EDEN District), South West of Hartside House, on grass verge, near field gate, on South side of road. Alston stone, erected by the Alston turnpike trust in the 19th century. Inscription reads:- ALSTON 3 PENRITH 16 Carved benchmark and rivet on top front. Grade II Listed. List Entry Number: 1144985 LinkExternal link Milestone Society National ID: CU_ALPR03.
Old Milestone by the A686, west of Meathaw Hill Carved stone post by the A686, in parish of GLASSONBY (EDEN District), West of Meathaw Hill, on grass verge, on bend with double white line, on South side of road. Alston stone, erected by the Alston turnpike trust in the 19th century. 

Inscription reads:-
ALSTON
4
PENRITH
15 
Carved benchmark and rivet on top.

Grade II Listed. List Entry Number: 1137257
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1137257" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1137257">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>

Milestone Society National ID: CU_ALPR04.
Old Milestone by the A686, west of Meathaw Hill
Carved stone post by the A686, in parish of GLASSONBY (EDEN District), West of Meathaw Hill, on grass verge, on bend with double white line, on South side of road. Alston stone, erected by the Alston turnpike trust in the 19th century. Inscription reads:- ALSTON 4 PENRITH 15 Carved benchmark and rivet on top. Grade II Listed. List Entry Number: 1137257 LinkExternal link Milestone Society National ID: CU_ALPR04.
Cycle route 7 towards the A686
Cycle route 7 towards the A686
Road sign at Little Dow Hill
Road sign at Little Dow Hill
Cycle route 7 towards Leadgate
Cycle route 7 towards Leadgate
Barn near Blackburn Bank Taken from the A686 south of Alston.
Barn near Blackburn Bank
Taken from the A686 south of Alston.
The A686 at Little Dow Hill
The A686 at Little Dow Hill
Hartside House alongside the A686
Hartside House alongside the A686
Bridleway leading to Melmerby Fell
Bridleway leading to Melmerby Fell
A686, cycle route 7 towards Hartside Cross
A686, cycle route 7 towards Hartside Cross
A686 south of Benty Hill
A686 south of Benty Hill
A686 westbound near Meathaw Hill
A686 westbound near Meathaw Hill
Quarry House above Black Burn There is another photo of this ruined farm building here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2225318">NY6841 : Quarry House</a> and undergoing renovation in 2006 here <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3233626">NY6841 : South face of Quarry House</a>

Shield Water is a shown on maps as this section of the Black Burn which rises in the corrie of Skirwith Fell just north of Cross Fell.

The same viewpoint (from the north on the verge of the A686 between Alston and Hartside) was used by Garigill artist, Lionel Playford, for his landscape, 'Black Burn under Cross Fell with Quarry House' <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://lionel.playford.net/pages/gallery/enlarge.php?img_id=181" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://lionel.playford.net/pages/gallery/enlarge.php?img_id=181">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>
Quarry House above Black Burn
There is another photo of this ruined farm building here NY6841 : Quarry House and undergoing renovation in 2006 here NY6841 : South face of Quarry House Shield Water is a shown on maps as this section of the Black Burn which rises in the corrie of Skirwith Fell just north of Cross Fell. The same viewpoint (from the north on the verge of the A686 between Alston and Hartside) was used by Garigill artist, Lionel Playford, for his landscape, 'Black Burn under Cross Fell with Quarry House' LinkExternal link
North Pennine National Park - Meathaw Hill
North Pennine National Park - Meathaw Hill
Heather moorland north of the A686
Heather moorland north of the A686
National Cycle Route 7 Looking east on the A686.
National Cycle Route 7
Looking east on the A686.
Hillside grazing, Benty Hill
Hillside grazing, Benty Hill
Storm rolling in from the west Rain approaching over the A686.
Storm rolling in from the west
Rain approaching over the A686.
Show me another place!

Benty Hill is located at Grid Ref: NY6743 (Lat: 54.785, Lng: -2.505)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: Eden

Police Authority: Cumbria

What 3 Words

///received.stitching.bombshell. Near Alston, Cumbria

Related Wikis

Black Fell (Pennines)

Black Fell is a hill in the North Pennines, England. It is located just north of the A686 road, west of Alston and is one of the most northerly parts of...

Leadgate, Cumbria

Leadgate is a small hamlet located at the foot of Hartside Fell between the town of Alston and the village of Garrigill in the parish of Alston Moor in...

Bayles, Cumbria

Bayles is a hamlet near Alston in Cumbria, England.

A686 road

The A686 is a road in Northern England. It runs from Penrith in Cumbria to Haydon Bridge in Northumberland. AA Magazine named the A686 as one of their...

Alston, Cumbria

Alston is a town in Westmorland and Furness, Cumbria, England, within the civil parish of Alston Moor on the River South Tyne. It shares the title of the...

Samuel King's School

Samuel King's School is a mixed secondary school located in Alston in the English county of Cumbria. As of 2017 it had 73 students on roll. It is a comprehensive...

Alston Moor

Alston Moor, formerly known as Alston with Garrigill, is a civil parish and electoral ward in the Westmorland and Furness district, in the ceremonial county...

Alston Town Hall

Alston Town Hall is a municipal building in Front Street, Alston, Cumbria, England. The town hall, which is currently used as a public library, is a Grade...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.785,-2.505
Scarberry Hill
Ele: 598
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 54.7870982/-2.5008235
Natural: sinkhole
Lat/Long: 54.7880555/-2.509868
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

Have you been to Benty Hill ?

Leave your review of Benty Hill below (or comments, questions and feedback).