Remains Of Church On Burrow Mump

The remains of a church stand on Burrow Mump, dating back to 1793, built on the site of a late medieval church. The construction uses squared and coursed lias stone with red brick and Ham stone dressings. The building includes a three-stage west tower with a solid parapet, stepped to obelisk finials; the north-west corner was renewed in the mid-20th century, featuring a diagonal buttress and two window openings on the west front. A slate plaque is positioned on the south face, inscribed "Burrow Mump. This hill was given to the nation by Alexander Gould Barrett that the men and women of Somerset who died serving their country in the Second World War may be remembered here and in time to come. Sumorsaete ealle'." The nave is roofless, with remains of a porch and window openings lacking tracery, including a large east end window opening. The detailing suggests the building was intended as a prominent visual feature rather than a traditional church. Earlier attempts to construct a chapel of ease in the late 18th century were abandoned, and the Church of St Michael was built at the foot of the hill in the early 19th century. This is not the site of King Alfred's headquarters from 879. The monument is a dramatic feature in the flat landscape of the Levels and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (Somerset County No 203).