Dartmoor & Exmoor
Butterdon Hill
351M
1152FT
About Butterdon Hill
Situated near South Molton, this 351-metre Tump is an outlying high point of the region. The terrain is characterized by a blend of agricultural grazing and small plantations, offering a quieter, more pastoral experience than the rugged granite plateaus usually associated with the heart of the Dartmoor landscape.
Key Statistics
Rank
73rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
Dartmoor
Prominence
?
84
Nearest Town
Moretonhampstead
Geology
The ground beneath you is composed of solid granite and hardened mudstone. These rocks form the sturdy foundation of Butterdon Hill.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SX750884
Latitude
50.6818°N
Longitude
3.7707°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Old English 'butere' (butter) and 'dun' (down or hill), traditionally referring to rich, fertile upland pasture that was highly valued for dairy production.
- •From the summit, the view to the north is dominated by the high plateau of Exmoor, with the distinct ridges of Bray Common and the slopes of the Bray Valley clearly visible.
- •Despite its modest elevation, the hill is a significant local landmark for those travelling on the A361, marking the transition from the rolling Devon heartlands into the northern uplands.
- •On clear days, looking south across the mid-Devon ridges reveals the distant granite silhouette of the Dartmoor massif, with the peaks of Yes Tor and High Willhays often identifiable on the horizon.