Watts Hill Explained

Watts Hill
Elevation M:262
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence M:69
Parent Peak:Lewesdon Hill
Location:Dorset, England
Range:Dorset Downs
Coordinates:50.8317°N -2.4648°W
Grid Ref Uk:ST673036
Topo:OS Landranger 194
Explorer No. 117

Watts Hill is a hill in the Dorset Downs and one of the highest in the county of Dorset, England. The height of the summit is variously recorded as 261 metres[2] or 262 metres.[1]

Location

Watts Hill lies about 1½ miles north of Cerne Abbas above the village of Minterne Parva, and about 12 kilometres north of Dorchester, the county town. It is the highest point on a north-south ridge, on the southern spur of which is the Cerne Abbas Giant, an old landmark whose origin is unclear. A mile to the northwest is Dogbury Hill and, on the far side of the A352 is Telegraph Hill and High Stoy, a popular filming location.[2]

History

There is much evidence of prehistoric settlement in the area. Near the Giant there are the remains of an ancient settlement, a tumulus and an earthwork on the southern spur near Cerne Abbas, and similar features further north near Dogbury.[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/prominence.html Summit Listings by Relative Height
  2. [Ordnance Survey]