Dartmoor & Exmoor
Watch Hill
319M
1047FT
About Watch Hill
Rising above the village of Foxhole, this Tump offers a unique perspective on the surrounding industrial landscape. The ascent provides a grounded, atmospheric walk through the Hensbarrow uplands, rewarding walkers with an outlook over the sprawling clay works and the distinctive white-capped peaks that define this part of the country.
Key Statistics
Rank
103rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Dartmoor
Prominence
?
71m
Nearest Town
Foxhole
Geology
Watch Hill is formed from the St Austell Intrusion. You are walking on a solid foundation of granite and fine-grained rock that cooled deep underground.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SW975543
Latitude
50.3541°N
Longitude
4.8468°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Watch Hill traditionally indicates a high point used as a lookout or signal station, providing a clear line of sight across the surrounding valleys and approach routes.
- •Situated in the heart of a region transformed by two centuries of china clay mining, the hill overlooks a unique topography of artificial 'sky tips' and deep excavations.
- •From the 319-metre summit, the view is dominated by the scale of the nearby Melbur and Blackpool pits, with the southern coastline often visible in the distance.
- •The hill is classified as a Tump, a term for a summit with at least thirty metres of prominence, standing out as a significant high point in a heavily modified landscape.
- •It is an excellent spot for those who prefer their panoramic views with a side of heavy machinery and the busy hum of working industry.