Beacon Batch (Black Down)

Beacon Batch, the summit of Black Down, is the highest point of the Mendip Hills at 325m - a broad heathery whaleback of open-access common with a Bronze Age barrow and a trig point, and huge views across the Bristol Channel to Wales, over the Somerset Levels and out to Glastonbury Tor. Park at the top of Burrington Combe and walk up. This is common land rather than National Trust ground, so it avoids the Trust's take-off ban, though be aware that open-access rights technically cover foot access rather than flying - there's no local byelaw against it, but fly considerately. Two things to watch: Bristol Airport lies roughly 7km north, so you're outside its Flight Restriction Zone but should stay alert and well below 120m; and the heath is important for ground-nesting birds like skylark and stonechat, so avoid low flying over the vegetation in spring and summer. It's exposed and frequently windy up top, with little shelter. The reward is a genuine big-country panorama that few Mendip spots can match. A clear winter's day gives the sharpest long-distance visibility; summer evenings bring warm light washing across the heather with the Levels laid out below.