range hills somerset devon border south western england designated area outstanding natural beauty plateau dominated hard bands remnants chalk cut river valleys hills support extensive range wildlife leading designation sites evidence human occupation fortifications include remains ancient hill forts norman bailey castles second world war airfields religious buildings village churches hills crossed network minor roads major transport routes including motorway running periphery natural region form natural region designated national character area public body responsible england natural environment neighbouring natural regions devon west fringes north northeast east southeast geography borders somerset devon covers area square kilometres heavily cut sharp valleys hills reach highest point metres sea level staple hill somerset hills southern area near devon gentle sparsely populated area land dairy farming river rises spring grid reference near flows west joining river north western outskirts exeter river thought mean knot tie reference river twists loops derived celtic river meaning winding stream river rises near stream feeds lakes flows south kilometres western end sandstone devon largest sources supplying drinking water rivers villages northern somerset hills include mary larger southerly area devon includes geology geology adjoining unique south west england forming extensive region form flat plateau dominated hard bands clay remnants chalk cretaceous rocks rest eroded beds beds western areas upper devoid material sands yield fossils marine preserved climate rest south west england temperate climate generally rest england mean temperature approximately shows seasonal variation modifying effect sea range parts united_kingdom january month mean minimum temperatures july august months mean daily december normally cloudy month june high pressure azores brings clear skies south west england particularly summer cloud forms inland especially near hills average annual sunshine totals hours rainfall tends associated atlantic depressions convection summer convection caused solar surface heating forms shower clouds large proportion rain falls showers thunderstorms time year average rainfall inch days snowfall typical november march mean wind speeds highest winds june august predominant wind direction south west ecology sites ranging acre black reed farm pit acre total cover hectares acres deemed english nature positively managed conservation designation denoting protected area united_kingdom selected areas particular landscape ecological characteristics provides protection development damage neglect meadows support extensive populations birds barn butterflies including white green butterfly flora includes heath spotted water green winged heather birds foot lotus woodlands ash grey willow oak support populations common iris iris purple butterfly rivers streams home bat extensive surviving examples woodland grassland habitats developed acidic soils supports typical fauna including wide variety butterfly species spiders notably abundant site important birds favour habitats grassland clearing forestry plantation known butterflies including duke marsh wood white candidate special area conservation designated internationally important habitats history studies shown organic material began accumulate periods areas open meadow grass land small woodland components identified bronze age burial sites including near notable archaeological sites include iron age hill forts castle enclosure near dates late fifth early fourth believed capital tribe fort situated north overlooking sea level given earliest pottery southern britain iron age hill fort later built site archaeological evidence found site roman military occupation suggesting fort existing iron age site scheduled ancient monument fourteen hill slope dating iron age identified prehistoric remains found norman bailey castle site earlier hill fort near hill rises metres northern castle probably built 11th century probably went use 12th century crossroads large sandstone called said thrown devil according legend pin draw blood english word means pillar post thought likely gave village second comes family owned manor roman bath house village excavated archaeological television programme evidence iron workings british period dating placed 2nd century suggested iron based technologies gave hills fairly industrial landscape british period providing source local iron small produce pure iron middle ages battle native king saxon army end temporarily kings expansion west fought according states killed battle advance brought control devon new border river north chain built warn possible invasion spanish november king granted sir william licence manor house meaning permission centuries notable owners including lord chief justice sir english civil war held parliament subjected brief brutal siege eventually destroy military value parts castle walls towers moat remain scheduled ancient monument include displays history castle owned general sir lieutenant governor buried near chapel owned early attempts charles parts opposed local lord managed acres soon sold fences removed english civil war followed attempts enclosure successfully enclosed remained situation rest hills enclosed built exploit available water power wool production commercial closure managed educational trust plays role telling industrial history area located grid reference south wellington somerset erected celebrate duke wellington victory battle foundation stone laid land belonging duke monument completed design inspired egyptian shape type bayonet wellington armies owned night artist worked guest landowner amateur artist end life continued paint valley nearby angular style sitting strong landscape images produced area national museums second world war built built second world war raf briefly fleet air base commissioned soil second world war according local legend home spirit called government politics designated area outstanding natural beauty landscape quality compared national parks england wales created legislation national parks unlike authorities special legal powers prevent development contrast limited statutory duties imposed local authorities regulation protection added total population live devon somerset villages parish councils responsibility local issues managed partnership public bodies local organisations voluntary groups active interest hills funding provided devon borders parliamentary area constituency religious sites monastery founded abbey closed granted lord russell demolished promptly section remained domestic use 19th century parish church built site surviving fragments monastery include partial end wall range parts gatehouse carved fragments survive victorian era church staple originally built norman style norman doorway reset south aisle chancel dates 14th century north aisle added church 15th century tower dates south porch recent dating stage tower pierced headed arches set pierced church designated english_heritage grade listed building transport crossed network minor roads major roads including motorway northwestern boundary bristol exeter line remains run close places west motorway pass opened having built local enterprise line purchased operated start line closed passengers served milk depot closure busy civilian airfield mix light aircraft economy unique towns cities boundary employment opportunities concentrated surrounding towns number small scale industrial parks notably airfield resurgence interest local sustainable food production led significant growth number variety small scale food drink businesses area recent years tourism significant contributor local economy visitors attracted activities walking riding established member organisation encourage support businesses based serve membership stands businesses
Blackdown Hills