Blackdown Hills

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For other places with the same name, see Blackdown, Sussex or Blackdown, Warwickshire (disambiguation)

The Blackdown Hills are a range of hills along the Somerset-Devon border in south-western England. They were designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1991.[1]

The hills are heavily cut with sharp valleys and reach 315 metres (1035 feet) above sea level at Staple Hill, their highest point. The Wellington Monument is located on Wellington Hill at GB Grid Reference ST 137 171.

There are 16 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the Blackdown Hills ranging from the 156 hectare Black Down and Sampford Commons to Reed Farm pit at just less than 1 hectare. In total they cover 640 ha, or just under 2% of the AONB. Of these SSSIs 79% are deemed by English Nature to be being positively managed. In addition, one site, Quants, is a candidate for Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). These are designated under the EC Habitats Directive as internationally important habitats.