Firle Beacon
| Firle Beacon | |||
| Sussex | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 The escarpment of Firle Beacon | |||
| Range: | South Downs | ||
| Summit: | 712 feet TQ485059 50°50’2"N, -0°6’30"E | ||
Firle Beacon is a hill in the South Downs of Sussex. It is 712 feet at its summit (which height and its relative height from neighbours qualifies it for the status of a ‘Marilyn’). The hill commands a far-reaching view.
When the prevailing wind is northerly, the site is often used for gliding activities like slope soaring.
Barrows
In the area of Firle Beacon is a Neolithic long barrow and several round barrows.[1] Round barrows generally date from the early Bronze Age.
At Firle Beacon itself is a bowl barrow, about 60 feet in diameter and 3 feet 6” high. It was opened in 1820; finds included two cremation urns.[1][2]
.JPG)
The long barrow, 722 feet west of Firle Beacon (TQ483058), is about 112 feet long, 70 feet wide and 8 feet 6” high. It has an east–west orientation, and has a surrounding ditch, more noticeable on the northern side.[1][3]
There are other round barrows within half a mile of Firle Beacon, to the west and east.[1][2][3][4]
Firle Escarpment
- Location map: 50°49’55"N, -0°5’20"E
- Streetmap: TQ472057
The Firle Escarpment is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest covering 746 acres on the northern, scarp slope of Firle Beacon.[5]
This is a long stretch of chalk grassland on north facing slopes of the South Downs. Flora include the very rare early spider orchid and other unusual flowering plants such as pyramidal orchid, felwort, common spotted orchid, round headed rampion, clove pink and bee orchid (‘’Ophrys apifera’’).[5]
See also
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Firle Beacon) |
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Firle Escarpment) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Richard Wainwright. A Guide to the Prehistoric Remains in Britain. Volume 1: South and East. Constable, 1978. Page 231.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 National Heritage List 1002267: Firle Beacon round barrow and two adjacent round barrows
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 National Heritage List 1013207: Oval barrow and adjacent bowl barrow west of Firle Beacon
- ↑ National Heritage List 1003310: Two groups of round barrows SE of Firle Beacon
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 SSSI listing and designation for Firle Escarpment