Walbury Hill

Walbury Hill
The view from Walbury Hill, looking towards Combe Gibbet
Highest point
Elevation	297 m (974 ft)
Prominence	c. 188 metres (617 ft)
Parent peak	Beacon Batch
Listing	Marilyn, County Top, Hardy
Coordinates	51°21′08″N 1°27′57″W / 51.35226°N 1.46577°W / 51.35226; -1.46577Coordinates: 51°21′08″N 1°27′57″W / 51.35226°N 1.46577°W / 51.35226; -1.46577
Geography
Walbury Hill Walbury Hill in Berkshire
Location	North Wessex Downs AONB, Berkshire, England
OS grid	SU373616
Topo map	OS Landranger 174

Walbury Hill is a hill in Berkshire, England. It is located in the southwest of the county, close to the borders with Hampshire and Wiltshire, and around 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) southeast of the town of Hungerford. At 297 metres (974 ft) above sea level, it is the highest hill in Berkshire and the highest natural point in South East England (West Berkshire being a constituent part of this region), just 3 metres (10 ft) higher than Leith Hill in Surrey.

On the hill's summit is the Iron Age hill fort of Walbury Camp. Combe Gibbet stands on the adjoining Gallows Down.

The true summit is marked by a triangulation pillar approximately 100 metres (330 ft) from the main Test Way. Before the use of satellites was commonplace, Walbury Hill was occasionally used by the BBC as a temporary relay station during the Newbury Races. There is no metalled road across the hill, but the byway is open to all traffic and maintained with a hard gravel surface, because of its previous use by outside broadcast vehicles. The ridged summit is also popular with paragliding enthusiasts.

The site is one of three nationally important chalk grassland sites that lie within the North Wessex Downs along with Rushmore and Conholt Downs (SSSI) and part of Hog's Hole (SSSI).

Walbury Hill is the starting point for both the Test Way and the Wayfarers Walk.

There is also a small low-level circular brick building, approximately 6 feet (1.8 metres) high, on the south side of the hill. This appears to be a disused reservoir.