|
Description
* Monument
Wellington Monument was erected to celebrate the Duke
of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo. The foundation stone
was laid in 1817 but it was not until 1854 that the Monument was completed.
Inspiration for its design came from that of an Egyptian obelisk, particularly
noticeable in the large stone scarab over the entrance door.
The Monument stands 175 feet tall and 80 feet wide at
the base. A counterweight hangs inside to help balance the Monument in
windy weather. An internal staircase ascends to a viewing platform, to
gain access to the stairs a key and a torch may be obtained for a small
charge and deposit from Monument Farm, adjacent to the Monument. The Monument
is floodlit at night courtesy of Taunton Deane Borough Council
Originally four cannons surrounded the Monument. However,
during the Second World War (1939-1945) these cannons were removed and
used for scrap to help the war effort. The Wellington Rotary Club donated
the cannon currently standing at the base of the Monument in 1985.
The toposcope, donated by the AA, stands to the north
of the Monument and identifies places that can be seen from the viewpoint.
* Habitats
The two main habitats within the site are mixed woodland
and acid grassland. Beech, ash, oak and birch are the main species found
within the woodland. The acid grassland/remnant heath supports a variety
of wildlife including dwarf gorse, bell heather, moonwort fern, adder,
common spotted and early spotted orchids, and meadow brown and marbled
white butterflies.
Access: There is car park sited at the main entrance
from which a 500m drive leads you to the Monument itself. Once at the
Monument, a circular walk takes you through the woodland directly below.
|
