Burrow Mump

Also known as St Michael's Borough or Tutteyate, Burrow Mump is a natural hill which has been utilised in various historical periods, including as a look-out point in Saxon times, as a Norman castle, and as the location for a later medieval chapel.. The site has also been called King Alfred’s Fort, but there is no evidence of a link with Alfred or there being a fort on the hill.

The hill is topped with the ruins of St Michael’s Church. A previous medieval church on this site, belonging to the Athelney Abbey, formed a sanctuary for royalist troops in 1642 and 1645 during the English Civil War, and it was occupied it in 1685 by a detachment of the king's army during the Monmouth Rebellion. During excavation work, the burial of a young man in the crypt of the church was found with a lead bullet close to his right hip and it is possible that he was either a victim of Civil War or of the Battle of Sedgemoor. A new church was built in 1793, but by the late 19th century, this had been abandoned.

The site is now in the care of the National Trust and serves as a memorial to the Somerset men and women who lost their lives while serving their country during the First and Second World Wars. A plaque on the side of the church commemorates this.

Although a bit muddy and slippery when I visited, the walk up Burrow Mump (79 feet high) was not too difficult and offers lovely views in all directions over the Somerset Levels. There is a car park with an honesty box at the foot of the hill, making this a very popular place for walkers and dog walkers to set out. At the top of the hill, however, I was completely alone and able to enjoy the beauty and peace of this lovely location.

Burrow Mump,

Burrow Bridge,

Burrowbridge,

Taunton

TA7 0RB