Hydon's Ball
| Hydon's Ball | |
| Summit: | 587 feet SU977395 51°8’47"N, -0°36’17"W |
|---|---|
Hydon's Ball is a hill of 587 feet covering most of Hydon Heath by Hydestile in Surrey.
Description
The hill on Hydon Heath, Hydestile reaches 179m and is almost a quarter of the way between Gibbet Hill by Hindhead and Leith Hill in the Weald.
Sometimes known as Hydon Ball, or Cup Hill, it is now in the care of the National Trust. At its highest point is a large stone seat which was placed there in 1915 as a memorial to Octavia Hill, one of the Trust's founders.
It is believed that the term "ball" refers to a signalling station which once stood at the top of the hill; the time ball signalling the time from Greenwich to Portsmouth.
There is a short poem associated with Hydon's Ball, which may explain its other alternative name:
"On Hydon's top there is a cup
And in that cup there is a drop
Pick up the cup, and drink the drop
And place the cup on Hydon's top."
Its slopes are planted with a range of tree species, including native oak, rowan, birch and pine. Two non-native shrubs, Amelanchier and Gaultheria, are said by oral history to have been planted there by landscape gardener Gertrude Jekyll[1] who lived approximately a mile to the north at Munstead Wood, Busbridge.[1]
Hydon's Ball is a meeting spot for local Morris Dancers who gather on the hilltop to welcome the first day of spring.[1]
Hydon's Ball is one of the top ten highest points in Surrey. A drinking water underground reservoir with pressure valves and related capabilities is beneath the summit.[1]
Transport
Though reached through winding roads Hydon's Ball is 3 miles south of Godalming. The nearest village is south, Hambledon.
Milford railway station is a mile and a half from the hill.
Outside links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hydon's Ball and Heath information at the National Trust National Trust information Retrieved 2013-11-04