Dartmoor & Exmoor
Great Hill
175M
574FT
About Great Hill
Rising above the coastal fringes near Watcombe, this modest summit provides a vantage point that belies its 175-metre height. Characterised by open ground and proximity to the sea, the hill offers a sharp contrast to the rugged moorland further inland, serving as a popular local lookout over the South Devon coastline.
Key Statistics
Rank
351st Highest in Region
Parent Range
Dartmoor
Prominence
?
26m
Nearest Town
Watcombe
Geology
Great Hill is built upon layers of breccia, a rock made of sharp stone fragments naturally cemented together to form a solid, mosaic-like foundation.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SX912679
Latitude
50.5007°N
Longitude
3.5355°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a simple descriptive English term, likely used to distinguish this prominent local high point from the smaller, wooded coastal rises surrounding the Watcombe and Babbacombe areas.
- •The summit offers a expansive view across Lyme Bay; on a clear day, the coastline is visible past Teignmouth and Dawlish, reaching as far as the distinct red cliffs of Sidmouth.
- •Though geographically separated from the high moors, the hill provides a clear westward perspective towards the eastern edge of Dartmoor, specifically the prominent skyline of Haytor Rocks and Rippon Tor.
- •Calling a 175-metre hill 'Great' may seem an exercise in Torbay optimism, especially given that it stands at less than half the height of the Dartmoor tors visible on the western horizon.