Dartmoor & Exmoor
Ugborough Beacon
378M
1240FT
About Ugborough Beacon
Perched on the southern fringe of Dartmoor, this prominent Tump serves as a dramatic gateway to the high moor. The climb is rewarded by a massive Bronze Age cairn and views that stretch from the granite heights of Three Barrows down to the glistening waters of Bigbury Bay.
Key Statistics
Rank
64th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Dartmoor
Prominence
?
34
Nearest Town
Moorhaven Village
Geology
You are walking across solid granite, formed when a vast mass of molten rock cooled deep underground to create the Dartmoor Intrusion.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SX667591
Latitude
50.4166°N
Longitude
3.8776°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Ugborough likely derives from the Old English 'Ugga’s beorg', meaning the hill or burial mound belonging to a man named Ugga.
- •Historically, the summit was a key link in the chain of fire beacons used to signal inland from the coast, as it offers a clear line of sight between the English Channel and the high moor.
- •The peak is home to several Bronze Age cairns, indicating the site has been a significant landmark for ritual and burial for over three thousand years.
- •Looking south on a clear day, the view extends past the rolling green hills of the South Hams to the distinctive white lighthouse at Start Point.
- •While the ascent is relatively short, the southern exposure means the hill catches the full force of Atlantic weather; it is a fine place to test if your waterproofs are as 'breathable' as the label claims.