St Agnes Beacon
| St Agnes Beacon | |
| Cornwall | |
|---|---|
 St Agnes Beacon | |
| Summit: | 630 feet SW710502 50°18’26"N, 5°13’3"W |
St Agnes Beacon is a hill rising above the village of St Agnes on the north coast of Cornwall.
St Agnes Beacon and the surrounding cliff tops belong to the National Trust. This landscape is one of the last remnants of a huge tract of heathland which once spread across Cornwall, a land internationally recognised as an important habitat, for its wealth of wildlife and from late summer onwards comes alive with colour, forming a brilliant yellow and purple patchwork of gorse and heather.
The hill is considered "the most prominent feature" of the Heritage coastline, with coastal and inland views that may be enjoyed during hillside walks.
During the Napoleonic Wars a guard was stationed on the hill to look out for French ships and light a warning fire on seeing any, hence the "Beacon" name; one of many "Beacon Hills".[1]
St Agnes Beacon and the surrounding cliff tops are one of the last remnants of a huge tract of heathland which once spread across Cornwall. This rare and important habitat is internationally recognised for its wealth of wildlife and from late summer onwards comes alive with colour, forming a brilliant yellow and purple patchwork of gorse and heather.[2]
Outside links
- Chapel Porth and Wheal Coates – National Trust
References
- ↑ Mee, Arthur (1937) Cornwall. (The King's England.) London: Hodder & Stoughton; p. 195
- ↑ Chapel Porth and Wheal Coates – National Trust