Beacon Hill
Good walks are even better shared.
Explore routes near Beacon Hill
Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.
Mitford Castle and the Wansbeck
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Morpeth, Carlisle Park and the River Wansbeck
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Ulgham Village and Western Fields
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Route planning notes
These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.
Beacon Hill Trail
A circular route starting from the village of Beacon, taking you through ancient woodlands and up towards the panoramic summit.
Make a day of it, together
Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.
Hill facts and local notes
Classifications
Elevation
195m
640 ft
Prominence
59m
Coordinates
55.2166, -1.7721
NZ146914
OS Map
81
Explorer: 325
At the Summit
The summit features a trig point and remains of an Iron Age hillfort, where you can pretend to be a noble warrior surveying your kingdom.
Terrain & Geology
Beacon Hill is primarily composed of Chalk, a sedimentary rock that gives rise to the rolling landscapes typical of the South Downs. The white cliffs you see are remnants from the Cretaceous period, until now continuing to erode gracefully.
Views & Scenery
From the summit, you can enjoy sweeping views of the South Downs National Park, the rolling fields of Sussex, and on a clear day, even the English Channel.
History & Heritage
Name Origin
The name 'Beacon' derives from the Old English word 'bēacen', meaning a signal fire or beacon used for communication.
Historical Significance
The hill has served as a lookout point for centuries and is part of the ancient network of beacons set up to warn of invasions.
Getting There & Facilities
Parking
There is a small car park near the village of Beacon, conveniently located for walkers.
Public Transport
Regular bus services run from Petersfield to Beacon, with a short walk to the trailhead.
Nearby Facilities
There are no facilities directly at Beacon Hill, however, the nearby village has a quaint café and public toilets available.
Safety Information
Known Hazards
- Watch out for sudden changes in weather, as conditions can be fickle. Also, be mindful of steep drop-offs in certain areas.
General Safety Tips
- Check weather conditions before setting out
- Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
- Let someone know your planned route
- Take a map, compass, and GPS device
- Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch
Hills
Some common questions about the hills answered
Are there group walks up Beacon Hill?
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Beacon Hill through the maps
Are there other walkers around Beacon Hill?
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Beacon Hill search or of course create your own walk for Beacon Hill
Can I organise a walk to Beacon Hill?
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Beacon Hill.
How do I find a walk up this hill?
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Can I suggest a new route up Beacon Hill?
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Beacon Hill here
The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?
We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible
Community Discussion
Comments
Location
Grid reference: NZ146914
View on OpenStreetMapOpens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.
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