Brent Knoll

Brent Knoll

Brent Knoll is an isolated 139 m hill rising above the Somerset Levels near Burnham-on-Sea. It is a HuMP with 133 m of prominence. Grassy slopes lead to the earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort and views across the surrounding lowlands and coast.

Summit and hillfort

The Database of British and Irish Hills records the summit at the jubilee memorial stone in a depression, at ST 34081 50918. It notes that the ground here probably lies above the natural summit. A direction indicator stands about 60 m southeast, at ST 34131 50888, at the former trig-point location; the trig pillar was replaced by a buried block in 1987. These are separate features, and the recorded memorial location should not be confused with a surviving trig pillar.

The scheduled hillfort has a single main rampart enclosing an area of about 1.6 hectares. Its origins are Iron Age, with later Roman reuse; medieval quarrying also altered the interior. Leave the earthworks and memorials undisturbed rather than building or adding to cairns.

Walking routes

Brent Knoll and East Brent circuit

The Sedgemoor Ramblers guide starts and finishes at Brent Knoll Village Hall car park on Brent Street. Walk up Church Lane, take the path beside and behind St Michael's Church and climb to the hilltop earthworks. Descend north to East Brent church, then continue west on field paths, briefly along Hill Lane, then through the copse and brook crossing to the reservoir. Follow the western escarpment path, descend steeply to Brent Knoll village and return along the road to the hall.

The published complete circuit is 5.39 km, with 171 m ascent and descent, graded Moderate. Its suggested time is 1 hour 40 minutes. Those figures apply to the guide's loop, with any detour to the recorded summit memorial additional. There are gates, stiles, steep descents and road sections.

St Michael's Church and return

For a shorter outing, start at the church entrance on Church Lane. Follow the path beside and behind the church, take the uphill branch over the lower plateau and climb the steep upper steps to the hilltop earthworks. Use the hilltop paths to visit the recorded summit beside the jubilee memorial, leaving the earthworks undisturbed. Retrace the same route to the church entrance. Walking from village-hall parking adds an approach beyond this route's church start.

Terrain and access

The National Trust identifies footpath approaches from Brent Knoll village and East Brent. The grassy and uneven slopes include steep sections, with mud and slippery ground after rain. Use footwear with good grip and take particular care descending the upper steps. On the longer circuit, allow for stiles and the brook crossing as well as short road sections.

Keep to the paths and follow local signs. Keep dogs on a lead around livestock and wildlife. The separate village green has a no-dogs rule; that restriction should not be confused with the hill paths.

Parking, transport and facilities

The Ramblers circuit uses the village-hall car park on Brent Street. Follow the site's current parking terms and leave access clear. Hill Lane has a separate gated car park: check the closing time displayed there before leaving a vehicle.

Bus 48 runs between Burnham-on-Sea and Cheddar on Tuesdays and Fridays, serving Brent Knoll and East Brent. Check the current timetable and the return journey when planning a walk.

A community shop and accessible public toilets are beside the village-hall and green area in Brent Knoll. Check their opening arrangements before relying on them, and bring drinking water for the hill.

Geology and views

British Geological Survey accounts describe Lias rocks beneath an Inferior Oolite limestone cap. These are Jurassic sedimentary rocks laid down in ancient seas.

In clear conditions, views extend across the Somerset Levels, the Mendips and Bristol Channel, with the Quantocks and Exmoor farther south. Crook Peak, 191 m, in the Mendips and Wills Neck, 384.6 m, in the Quantocks are separate hills for other outings.

Name

The National Trust records two proposed origins for Brent: Old English brant, meaning steep, or a British word meaning a high place. The origin is uncertain.