Ravenshill - the history
Ravenshill is situated on the northern end of the Kielder Water Reservoir near the village of Kielder. The reservoir is the largest artificial man-made lake in the UK, with construction beginning in 1975. Obviously, this body of water has nothing to do with the Ravenshill I created.
In 1956 ruins of Ravenshill Peel were identified on a point overlooking two streams southeast of Ravenshill Farm. Peels (or Peles) were fortifications built along the English-Scottish border. They are named after the wooden walls constructed around the towers to fortify them. However, when peace came to the border, most of the peels fell in disarray. Many have since been restored as museums or private homes, but this is not the case with Ravenshill. Situated at approximately 730 feet above sea level, it was overlooked by higher ground only from the east. On this point, it would have an extensive view along the River North Tyne to the north, west, and south. Now the hill the peel sat upon is covered with thick undergrowth, and there is no sign of building remains or a foundation. I found no more information on the history of the peel, so I created it. I want to mention two areas known as Ravenhill, but they apparently have only one raven. One is in the south of Wales, and another is in Northern Ireland. http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/English%20sites/2672.html https://www.visitnorthumberland.com/explore/destinations/lakes-reservoirs/kielder-water-forest-park |
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