© C J Webster

Beacon Hill cemetery lies on the highest point of the island and is still occasionally used. As well as the more recent graves there are indications that the site has been used for at least 1500 years.

Towards the north are the remains of a chapel of unknown date which has been ruined for many centuries. The ruination was completed in 1804 when stone was used by an Ordnance Survey team to build a cairn. Futher south can be seen the excavated remains of several stone-lined and covered "cist" burials. Charles Thomas who excavated these has suggested that they formed part of a monastic cemetery surrounding the grave of an early saint. He believes that saint was originally the king of the Welsh kingdom of Brecon who retired and took the name Nectan. The original grave appeared to have been opened which would be accounted for by the removal of the relics of the saint to Hartland.

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The triple grave in the photo lies next to the original construction wall of the saint's grave.

Also within the cemetery have been found four early christian grave markers. None was found associated with a grave as all had been moved. They are of a type well known in Wales and South West England with short latin inscriptions. They are currently propped up against the boundary wall. The stones read:

  • OPTIMI A male Roman name, probably a cleric as no family name is given. Probably 6th century.
  • RESTEVTAE A name that appears to be British and feminine.
  • POTIT[I] A male Roman name, probably a cleric as no family name is given. Probably 6th century.
  • [?]IGERNI [FIL]I TIGERNI Probably the early 7th-century grave of a prominent layman.

Anti-aircraft trench

Battery Point

Beacon Hill

Brazen Ward

Brick Field

Halfway Wall

John O'Groat's House

Mangonel Battery

Millcombe

Montagu Steps

MV Kaaksburg

Pondsbury

Punchbowl Valley

Quarry Cottages

Hospital

Quarter Wall

Rocket Pole

Church

Castle

The Devil's Limekiln

The Devil's Slide

The Earthquake

Landing Bay

North Light

Old Light

The Pyramid

Quarries

South Light

Village

Tibbetts

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