Dartmoor & Exmoor
Clyffe Pypard Hill
215M
707FT
About Clyffe Pypard Hill
Rising steeply above its namesake village, this prominent escarpment offers a sharp contrast to the clay vales below. The climb through the wooded ‘hangings’ leads to a panoramic crest, revealing wide perspectives across the Vale of Dauntsey towards the southern fringes of the Cotswold Hills.
Key Statistics
Rank
106th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Exmoor
Prominence
?
30m
Nearest Town
Clyffe Pypard
Geology
You are walking over deep layers of chalk. The hill is formed by the West Melbury and Zig Zag formations, which create the solid ground beneath your boots.
Classifications
Nearby Fells
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SU074763
Latitude
51.4865°N
Longitude
1.8947°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is a hybrid of Old English and medieval history; 'clif' refers to the steep limestone escarpment, while 'Pypard' was the surname of the family granted the manor here in the 13th century.
- •The hill is famous for 'Clyffe Hanging', a distinctive belt of ancient woodland that clings to the steep scarp face, providing a rich habitat for bluebells and orchids beneath a dense beech canopy.
- •From the summit ridge, the view extends northwest across the flat Dauntsey Vale, with the distant profile of the Malvern Hills often visible on the horizon during clear weather.
- •While the height might not trouble a mountaineer, the 'clif' in the name is a fair warning that the local gradient has no interest in gentle introductions.