From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Crook Peak to Shute Shelve Hill (grid reference
ST385555) to (grid reference
ST430560) is a 332.2 hectare (820.9 acre) biological Site of Special Scientific
Interest near the villages of Compton Bishop and Webbington in the Mendip Hills, Somerset, notified in 1952.
Crook Peak, which means "pointed hilltop",[1] reaches
628 ft (208 m) and is a prominent feature from the
surrounding landscape. It is controlled by the
National Trust. Evidence of early human occupation includes a
polished flint axe.
A ridge 'The Razor' is used by the West Mendip Soaring
Association to fly model aircraft in south-westerly /
southerly or north-easterly winds.[2] A
long-distance footpath, the Mendip Way, follows much of the northern
boundary of this property.
Etymology
Crook Peak has been important as a landmark and boundary from
very early times, and the origins of the name are unclear. Some
believe the name 'Crook' comes from Old British 'Cruc' meaning
'peak' or 'pointed hill'.[3][4]
Biological
King's Wood at the eastern end of Shute Shelve Hill is owned by the
National Trust
This site comprises a wide range of habitats which includes
ancient and secondary semi-natural broadleaved woodland, unimproved calcareous grassland and a complex
mosaic of calcareous grassland and acidic dry dwarf-shrub heath. Four of the
calcareous grassland communities, two of the woodland types and the
calcareous grassland/acidic dry dwarf-shrub heath mosaic all have a
restricted distribution in Britain. Four nationally rare and seven
notable plant species are also present. Plants of interest include
the nationally rare Cheddar Pink (Dianthus
gratianopolitanus), Bedstraw (Galium fleurotii), Dwarf
Sedge (Carex humilis) and Dwarf Mouse-ear (Cerastium
pumilum). Rose Wood and King's Wood are ancient woodland
sites. The nationally rare Purple Gromwell
(Lithospermum purpurocaeruleum) occurs at Rose Wood.[5]
Geological
There are cave deposits of interest at the southern end of Crook
Peak. Picken's Hole is of considerable importance because of its
clear, well-stratified sequence of deposits and faunas, all dating
from within the Devensian. The
rich Layer 3 fauna, radiocarbon dated to 34,265
(+2600/–1950) years BP, includes Spotted Hyena, Lion, Arctic fox, Mammoth, Woolly
Rhinoceros, horse, reindeer, suslik and Tundra Vole. The site is a major source of
information for this phase of the Middle Devensian. It is also the
most carefully excavated hyena-den site and assemblage from
Britain.[5]
Barton
Camp
Barton Camp, which is on the slopes of Crook Peak, is run by the
Bristol Children's Help Society which was
founded in 1884 to help needy children. The facilities include
classrooms, a sports hall, outdoor pool, playing field and
bunkhouse accommodation.[6]
References
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