The Hills
The Malvern Hills are a nine mile range of ancient
rocks made up of granite at least 650 million years
old, the best known feature being the ridge that runs
almost perfectly from North to South. Other welll known
features of the hills are the Iron Age Hill Fort at
the Herefordshire Beacon, nicknamed British Camp, which
inspired Elgar to compose his work Caractacus.
The Shire Ditch or Red Earl's Dyke was built about
1287 by Gilbert St Clare, Earl of Gloucester and ran
for 8 miles along the top of the hills to prevent his
deer escaping onto the lands belonging to Bishop Thomas
de Cantelupe of Hereford. This ditch now forms the boundary
between Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
The ridge top provides ideal walking conditions and
stunning views. The Hills divide the Counties of Herefordshire
and Worcestershire with the rolling hills and fields
of Herefordshire to the West and the flatter plains
of the Severn Valley to the East. Much of the drama
and beauty of the hills is due to the way they dramatically
rise out of this landscape.
The highest point on the hills is the Worcestershire
Beacon - 425m, with North Hill - 397m and British Camp
(Herefordshire Beacon) - 338m the other highest points.
In total there are some 20 named hills comprising the
complete range.
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