Meldon Valley

The Meldon Valley contains many settlements and other archaeological sites dating from the prehistoric period.

Both the Black and White Meldons are crowned by Iron Age hillforts, defended agricultural settlements built more than 2,000 years ago. Elsewhere in the valley archaeological excavations have shown that some undefended settlements of round houses date from around 1500 BC, while burial mounds such as the one on the summit of White Meldon are several centuries older. A wide range of plant and animal life is also present, including the Wheatear, which is a summer visitor to this area.