Dartmoor & Exmoor
Beara Common
311M
1020FT
About Beara Common
Rising above the market town of South Molton, this 311-metre Tump provides a gentle introduction to the Devon uplands. It is a landscape of rolling grazing land and historic commons, offering a quiet alternative to the more famous heights nearby. The summit overlooks the deep-cut valleys of the River Mole.
Key Statistics
Rank
110th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Dartmoor
Prominence
?
53
Nearest Town
South Brent
Geology
You are walking on slates formed from volcanic ash and lava. These rocks were baked by intense heat to create the rugged foundation beneath your feet.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SX703617
Latitude
50.4408°N
Longitude
3.8279°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Beara is a frequent Devon place-name element derived from the Old English 'bearu', meaning a grove or small wood. This suggests the hill was once more heavily timbered before it was cleared for common grazing land.
- •As a Tump (a hill with a thirty-metre prominence), Beara Common provides a distinct 'step-back' view of the higher moorland plateaus to the north-east, including the ridges above North Molton and the distant Span Head.
- •The hill is a local landmark for those navigating the transition from the agricultural heart of Mid Devon to the higher moors, offering a clear view over the town of South Molton and the winding course of the River Mole below.
- •With its modest elevation of exactly 1,020 feet, the hill is just high enough to be caught in the mist while the town below remains in sunshine, a frequent occurrence given its position on the edge of the Atlantic-facing uplands.