Summerhouse Hill

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Summerhouse Hill

Summerhouse Hill seen from the Elham Valley Way.
Elevation 148 mft)
Location North Downs, England
Prominence 50 m
Topo map OS Landrangers 179, 189
OS grid reference TR166377
Listing none

Summerhouse Hill is a chalk hill near Folkestone in Kent. It forms part of the North Downs and reaches a height of 148 metres above sea level.

The hill is situated on the eastern most stretch of the North Downs which extend from the Stour Valley to the English Channel. The hill has a distinctive conical shape and lies detached from the main escarpment of the Downs. To the north-west lies the higher mass of Tolsford Hill whilst to the south and south-west extend the flatter lands of the clay and greensand hills. The Seabrook Valley and Asholt Wood lie directly to the east, beyond which is the Channel Tunnel Terminal and the town of Folkestone.

The hill's name derives from a gazebo which was built on the summit of the hill by the Drake-Brockman family who used to own the land[1] However, the gazebo was burnt to the ground by a prankster on Guy Fawkes night in 1935,[1] and the land has passed into the ownership of the Ministry of Defence who use it for army training. The hill and much of the surrounding land is closed to the public and access is restricted to public rights of way.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Hart, Brian (1989). Elham Valley Reflections. Uckfield: Millgate Publishing. ISBN 0951045423. 

Coordinates: 51.09768° N 1.09215° E