Devon County Geological Sites or Regionally Important Geological / Geomorphological Sites - RIGS
Site reference no. SS50NW 1 Name: Friars Hele Cross
District: West Devon/Torridge Parish: Meeth
National grid ref: 5365 0705 OS sheets: 1:50k 191 1:25k 1293 1:10k SS50 NW GS 1:50k 309
GridRef x y Lat Long SS536070 253600 107000 50.843951 -4.0808065
Locality description(address): On the north side of the the A386 at its junction with the Buckland Filleigh- Petrockstow road at Friars Hele Cross, 2.5km north of Hatherleigh.
Nature of site : Viewpoint
Geological / geomorphological features: A view north along the Petrockstow Basin with its Tertiary (Oligocene), fluviatile clay (ball clay), sand and lignite deposits contained in a down-faulted trough between branches of the major NW-SE trending Sticklepath Fault. The view shows the bounding hills formed of Upper Carboniferous Bude Formation sandstone and shale, and the white scars of the ball clay workings.
Reasons for registration as a Regionally Important Geological / Geomorphological Site: This excellent viewpoint demonstrates the down-faulted nature of the Petrockstow Basin with its economic deposits of Tertiary ball clay.
Site sensitivity: None. The safeguarding of this outlook should be considered if improvements to the sharp bend in the A386 at this point are ever considered.
Safety: Essentially safe. Care is needed in turning right off the A386 on the sharp bend.
Interest groups: Schools. Primary - Secondary - 6th Form . University. Undergraduate - Research Professional geologists - Amateur geologists - General public.
Access and Parking: Direct access from road. Parking for 2-3 cars/ minibuses or a coach in layby on the Buckland Filleigh road, close to the junction
Date of assessment (V = visited) : V 17th December 1994 R T Taylor
Site owner : Devon County Council, West Devon District Council.
Other comments: Although the view point is in West Devon District, most of the subject of the view is in Torridge District.
References: Freshney, E. C. et al., 1979. Geology of the Country around Chulmleigh. Memoir of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. London: HMSO.