The Beacon of Beacon Hill

I recently went searching for the original ‘beacon’ of Beacon Hill on the Chattenden/Upnor border.

The beacon is a circular mound - with a diameter of around 30 metres. A WW2 pillbox was built on the 6.5 metre-high scheduled monument, but previously there would have been a fire basket or brazier (on a pole) on the top. The mound appears on maps as far back as 1570.

The mound is on private land, but you can walk near to it - just walk along public right of way RS116 at the end of Beacon Hill Lane.
 

Saxon Shore Way, Hoo St. Werburgh

Having completed a small part of the walk along the Saxon Shore Way last week, between Upnor and Hoo St. Werburgh (described in another post), I completed another section today. This particular walk, centred around Hoo, is ideal for a Sunday morning stroll and takes less than a couple of hours to complete, especially if stopping to look at the views.

Information about walks on the Hoo Peninsula, including this one, can be obtained by clicking here.

I walked down Vicarage Lane to Hoo Marina and joined the clearly signed Saxon Shore Way path that runs along the River Medway to Kingsnorth. Soon after joining the path, you come across excellent views of Hoo Fort and Darnet Fort (in the middle of the River Medway). There are three WW2 pillboxes during the walk - an indication of how strategically important the area once was.

Altogether very enjoyable and a good mix of sights!