Melbury Hill, Compton Abbas and Fontmell Down
Peter Booton heads north to tackle a walk boasting some of the most glorious views in Dorset
Article written by Peter Booton
At 263 metres the summit of Melbury Hill, Melbury Beacon, is one of the highest points in Dorset. An Armada beacon sited here in 1588 formed part of the chain of signal beacons stretching between London and Plymouth and which included others in the county at Okeford Hill, Lewesdon Hill and Rawlsbury Camp.
Melbury Hill lies on the high chalk escarpment of the North Dorset Downs that separate the Blackmore Vale from Cranborne Chase. From Melbury Beacon summit on a clear day there are superb panoramic views of both, as well as of the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury less than two miles to the north.
See the full article from the Dorset Magazine on the link below:
http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2012/04/melbury-hill-compton-abbas-and-fontmell-down/
