Walton and Ivythorn Hills
Notification 1953 | | |
Natural England website |
Walton and Ivythorn Hills is a 34.9 hectares (86 acres)
The hills which rise to 80 metres (260 ft) above
Geography
The Polden Hills a long, low ridge, extending for 10 miles (16 km), and separated from the Mendip Hills, to which they are nearly parallel, by a marshy tract, known as the Somerset Levels. The ridge is underlain by Blue Lias with alternating strata of limestone, rheatic clay and Keuper marl.[2]
At the highest point on Walton Hill, which reaches 80 metres (260 ft) above Ordnance datum (mean sea level),[2] there is a topograph or orientation stone used as a triangulation point and highlighting key features of the surrounding landscape including the Somerset Levels and the Admiral Hood Monument.[3][4] It forms the starting point for the 6 miles (9.7 km) long footpath known as the Polden Way.[5]
History
A quarry on Ivythorn Hill produced stone for Street Manor in 1403.
Walton windmill on Walton Hill was described as "new-erected" in 1741, although there had been a mill erected on the site in 1342.[6] It was worked until 1906.[9] It is now a Grade II listed building and private residence.[10][11] There was also a windmill on Ivythorne Hill.[12]
The shoe manufacturer
This site is owned and managed by the
In 1977 Ivythorne Hill was the site of a
Ecology
Walton and Ivythorn Hills are covered by a variety of semi-natural habitats. These include unimproved
Between 2011 and 2013 a project was undertaken to increase the population of Large blue butterflies on the Polden Hills. This included planting Wild Thyme and managing the grazing on Walton Hill.[17][18]
References
- ^ "Glastonbury free festival 1977".
- ^ a b c "Walton and Ivythorn Hills SSSI citation sheet" (PDF). English Nature. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ "TP9460 - Walton Hill". Trig Pointing UK. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ "Assessment of Special Landscape Features". Mendip District Council. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "The heart of the West: a land of heroes and windmills". Western Daily Press. 3 February 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ a b Siraut, M.C; Thacker, A.T.; Wliiamson, Elizabeth. "Parishes: Walton. A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 9, Glastonbury and Street". British History Online. Victoria County History. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "Ivythorn Manor (1176171)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ Historic England. "Dovecote in Grounds East of Ivythorn Manor (1345094)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ISBN 0-7050-0060-5.)
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ Historic England. "Walton Windmill (1058724)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
- ^ Historic England. "Walton Windmill (1058724)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ "Windmill site, Ivy Thorn Wood, Street". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Youth Hostel, Street". Youth Hostel Association. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ Siraut, M. C.; Thacker, A. T.; Williamson, Elizabeth. "Parishes: Street In A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 9, Glastonbury and Street". British History Online. Victoria County History. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Acquisitions Up to December 2011" (PDF). National Trust. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ "Looking Back: Calls for army to deal with Street Hill hippy invasion in 1977". Central Somerset Gazette. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ "Expanding the Large Blue Landscape in the Polden Hills. Project Update" (PDF). Butterfly Conservation. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
- ^ "Large Blue butterfly at Collard Hill". National Trust. Retrieved 25 May 2015.