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Silbury Hill

When she stands on Silbury Hill lock

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VBB V
VBB Sep 1, 2012 17:03:18
Replying to Sanctuary

Sanctuary wrote:
What IS the actual legal side of climbing the hill? The notice boards only 'suggest' you don't climb it, they don't say it is illegal to climb it do they? As June intimated a law needs putting in place with a HUGE fine. Okay you'll always get a yob or two sticking two fingers up but I reckon the hill would survive them...as it has the sheep :-)
As you well know:

Silbury Hill is privately owned.

Silbury Hill is protected by the Ancient Monuments Protection Act.

Silbury Hill is also a SSSI.

Then there’s damage to fences.

Does there need to be more than a polite request from EH to keep climbers off the mound? I have suggested that a short explanation of the threat posed to irreplaceable archaeology and also the SSSI rather just ‘keep off’ would have a greater chance of persuading more not to climb than do now; but there again people don’t tend to read notices that don’t suit them…

S Sanctuary
Sanctuary Sep 1, 2012 18:39:12
Replying to VBB

VBB wrote:
Does there need to be more than a polite request from EH to keep climbers off the mound? I have suggested that a short explanation of the threat posed to irreplaceable archaeology and also the SSSI rather just ‘keep off’ would have a greater chance of persuading more not to climb than do now; but there again people don’t tend to read notices that don’t suit them…
Well judging by the amount of people that put two fingers up and climb, then yes, it does need more than a polite request. It's privately owned so why don't the signs say it is on private property and you WILL be prosecuted if you enter without permission? Surely making an example of a few offenders will make a lot more think again before climbing. It's no good telling them about irreplaceable archaeology and SSSI when they see those who pay for commercial reasons climbing the hill. You can't have it both ways.