Follow the Roman road from the Beacon and you’ll be at Southside Mount in a few minutes. A Bridleway leads from the road right to it. When I first saw it I was pleased, as I had heard there was pretty much nothing to see, but there’s still a modest hump left. From the barrow a good view would have been had of the Monolith and the Cursus snaking towards it, if it weren’t for an annoyingly-placed copse. The rolling view, as from the Beacon, is fantastic, although shotgun fire brought on a sudden case of the paras and me and Yarky beat a hasty retreat to the Monolith.
The now-diminutive, but once spectacular Southside Mount
If the Romans built their road across the Beacon to sap its power, it didn’t work. The view is super, Rudston Church being clearly visible, although the monolith is not, due to it being behind the church! A good starting point on a journey around the Gypsey Race and an ideal place for a Beltane fire.... or even a wicker man!
The fantastic view from the Beacon, looking down on Rudston Church.
The Rudston Beacon, as seen from Southside Mount.
Ba’l Hill is smaller than Willy Howe, but seems to have suffered less. It’s not cluttered with trees and shrubs like Willy, so you can easily climb it and then get a good 360 degree view of the surroundings (unlike atop Willy). Willy is clearly visible in the distance. The mass of farmhouses and fences spoils the atmosphere a bit, but it’s still a cool place. It’s all pasture land, and on my first visit it was covered in sheep, who fled at me and my brother’s approach. My second visit found around 5 large bulls, who refused me entry, and i was thankful for my zoom lense.
Looking inside Willy Howe. It’s like a hollow volcano, due to antiquarian excavations... a real mess.
Approaching Willy