sand point middle hope sand point somerset england peninsula stretching middle hope acre biological geological lies north village stretch coastline called north town super mare clear day commands views bridge line drawn sand point marks lower limit start sequence limestone unusual geological features including pleistocene aged fossil cliff result designated important geological site underlying geology soil types support scarce plants pink somerset hair grass human use sites shown bowl disc late site likely bailey castle founded early 13th century sits inland rocky surrounding land owned popular place walking geology middle hope sequence limestone exposed includes thick volcanic demonstrating sections site contains pleistocene aged fossil cliff shore platform features led designation middle hope important geological site raised beach wave cut platforms created changes sea level period arrangement volcanic rocks including illustrates events million years ago strata compressed flora scarce plants found sand point range soils site support flora fauna grassland dominated species west site dominated east consists common common plants include pink somerset hair grass history evidence early human occupation provided bowl disc late identified higher ground bowl metres diameter approximately metres high slightly west bowl disc surrounded bank ditch area metres situated highest point ordnance survey constructed station bailey castle constructed site known seen metres high mound approximately metres diameter marked ditch eastern edge mound damaged construction building world war medieval date construction doubt sources suggesting mound constructed 16th century walls sheep fold built prisoners napoleonic wars hope cove northern coast reputation smuggling away men founded early 13th century dedicated small community built church monastic years influenced emphasis manual labour self result taken holy orders worked farm providing clergy surrounding churches despite land wealthy 15th century building work including current church barn undertaken dissolved owned local leased local farmers taken spent years restoration work 1990s rented farmhouse holiday accommodation surviving buildings include church 15th century replacement earlier 13th century structure barn 16th century prior lodging converted farmhouse site arranged central east wall west wall chapter house remain chapter house lady chapel having demolished biological geological interest site designated adjoining land middle hope purchased natural beauty world war weapons tested sand point association base pier commissioned hms admiralty research new weapons support buildings constructed thomas head east middle hope removed site explosives shock test facility
Sand Point and Middle Hope