Hydon's Ball
Encyclopedia
Hydon's Ball is a 587 foot hill on Hydon Heath, Surrey
, England
. It is situated roughly 6 km (3.7 mi) south east of Godalming
, in central southern England. It is adjacent to the hamlet of Hydestile
, near the village of Hambledon
.
Sometimes known as Hydon Ball, or Cup Hill, it is now in the care of the National Trust
. At its highest point is a large stone seat which was placed there in 1915 as a memorial to Octavia Hill
, one of the Trust's founders.
It is believed that the term "ball" refers to a signalling station which once stood at the top of the hill. (Typically, "ball" signalling stations were used to synchronize the time visually at given points during the day across long distances.)
There is a short poem associated with Hydon's Ball, which may explain its other alternative name:
Its slopes are planted with a range of tree species, including native oak
, rowan
, birch
and pine
. Two non-native shrubs, Amelanchier and Gaultheria
, are said to have been planted there by landscape gardener Gertrude Jekyll
.
Hydon's Ball has become a traditional meeting spot for local Morris Dancers
who gather on the hilltop to welcome the first day of spring.
Hydon's Ball is among the highest points in Surrey.
There are considerable Water Utility underground facilities beneath the summit.
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is situated roughly 6 km (3.7 mi) south east of Godalming
Godalming
Godalming is a town and civil parish in the Waverley district of the county of Surrey, England, south of Guildford. It is built on the banks of the River Wey and is a prosperous part of the London commuter belt. Godalming shares a three-way twinning arrangement with the towns of Joigny in France...
, in central southern England. It is adjacent to the hamlet of Hydestile
Hydestile
Hydestile is a hamlet between the villages of Busbridge and Hambledon, a few miles south of Godalming in south west Surrey. Hydestile is a very densely wooded area and is notable for Hydon's Ball , and a Cheshire Home. From 1921, Hydestile was the site for two hospitals: King George V Hospital ...
, near the village of Hambledon
Hambledon, Surrey
Hambledon is a small and scattered village in Surrey, south of Guildford. It is tucked away amongst fields and woodland between Witley and Chiddingfold....
.
Sometimes known as Hydon Ball, or Cup Hill, it is now in the care of the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
. At its highest point is a large stone seat which was placed there in 1915 as a memorial to Octavia Hill
Octavia Hill
Octavia Hill was an English social reformer, whose main concern was the welfare of the inhabitants of cities, especially London, in the second half of the nineteenth century. Born into a family with a strong commitment to alleviating poverty, she herself grew up in straitened circumstances owing...
, one of the Trust's founders.
It is believed that the term "ball" refers to a signalling station which once stood at the top of the hill. (Typically, "ball" signalling stations were used to synchronize the time visually at given points during the day across long distances.)
There is a short poem associated with Hydon's Ball, which may explain its other alternative name:
- On Hydon's top there is a cup
- And in that cup there is a drop
- Pick up the cup, and drink the drop
- And place the cup on Hydon's top.
Its slopes are planted with a range of tree species, including native oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, rowan
Rowan
The rowans or mountain-ashes are shrubs or small trees in genus Sorbus of family Rosaceae. They are native throughout the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the highest species diversity in the mountains of western China and the Himalaya, where numerous apomictic microspecies...
, birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
and pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
. Two non-native shrubs, Amelanchier and Gaultheria
Gaultheria
Gaultheria is a genus of about 170-180 species of shrubs in the family Ericaceae. The name memorializes Jean François Gauthier of Quebec, a mis-spelt honour bestowed by the Scandinavian Pehr Kalm in 1748. These plants are native to Asia, North and South America, and Australasia...
, are said to have been planted there by landscape gardener Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll was an influential British garden designer, writer, and artist. She created over 400 gardens in the UK, Europe and the USA and contributed over 1,000 articles to Country Life, The Garden and other magazines.-Early life:...
.
Hydon's Ball has become a traditional meeting spot for local Morris Dancers
Morris dance
Morris dance is a form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers. Implements such as sticks, swords, handkerchiefs and bells may also be wielded by the dancers...
who gather on the hilltop to welcome the first day of spring.
Hydon's Ball is among the highest points in Surrey.
There are considerable Water Utility underground facilities beneath the summit.