coast somerset england standing feet high extending miles eastern end super mare sea limestone continuation small islands cliffs northern southern flanks large quantities fossils laid marine deposits million years ago site occupied humans late bronze age includes remains end fort built armed second world war owned rich wildlife history site special scientific interest geology presence nationally rare plants including white rock rose scheduled ancient monument geology forms westerly southerly limestone britain rock strata laid early period million years ago subsequently northwestern europe underwent continental collision late era culminating final phases near end period million years ago activity produced complex suite mountain hill ranges southern ireland south western western europe result mountain building area comprises fold structures east west trend core older sandstone volcanic rocks west main plateau limestone continues islands kilometres long runs east west direction near mouth opposite flat area peninsula represent raised bench laid sea level higher today highest point approximately metres sea level cliffs north south faces rich fossils include supports theory marine deposition rocks separate layers identified sand cliff south lowest dating history human occupation dates culture late bronze age evidence iron age hill fort prehistoric field systems evidence shrine dating pre roman times established century according source extremely likely succeeded small century christian roman finds including gold coins silver roman ring found site fort built recommendations southerly chain defences protecting access bristol cardiff acres land end construction beginning completed 1860s plans laid deep water harbour northern shore intended harbour replace bristol port crossings export minerals agricultural produce rest somerset foundation stones pier laid project later abandoned large storm destroyed foundations following wireless wales moved equipment set new distance record kilometres wireless transmission open sea leased bird sanctuary acquiring shooting rights stop shooting outbreak world war fort rearmed inch naval guns machine gun posts built taken admiralty outpost commissioned secret weapons development storage testing bouncing bomb tested fort opposite bay gave hectares acres celebrate festival britain major borough super mare gave hectares acres hectares acres cove acquired restoring fort covers hectares acres gave trust proposals forward construct barrage tidal electricity production point south wales proposals years successful far working proposals trying persuade government fund barrage tidal ecology addition geological interest site range plants growing led designated nationally rare white rock rose common species site occurring abundance upper reaches grassy south facing slopes growing originally thought longer believed species specimens ivy plants southern slopes include somerset hair grass wild birds foot northern dominated bell heather birds seen include falcon stock common common rock britain atlantic yellow species butterfly including blue dark green meadow brown white small heath common blue
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