Ballard Point
The down was an area of calcareous grassland for up to 1000 years until World War II, when there was a sudden rise in the need for arable agricultural land. The down is now owned by the National Trust, and has largely been returned to grassland. The National Trust allows grazing on the down to prevent it becoming a natural beech woodland climax community.
The obelisk at Ballard Down commemorates the provision of a new supply of drinking water for Swanage in 1883. Erected in 1892 by George Burt, it was taken down in 1941 as it was a landmark that might have aided enemy aircraft during World War II, but was re-erected in 1952.
Ballard Down forms the easternmost part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
The BBC's adaptation of EM Forster's novel 'Howards End' (2017) used Ballard Down as a location.
References
- ^ "The Obelisk | Swanage.co.uk".
- ^ "Dorset and East Devon Coast". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2001. Archived from the original on 22 February 2007. Retrieved 14 January 2007.