The late Earl of Carnarvon, who died in Egypt, was buried yesterday at Burghclere, Hants, on the top of Beacon Hill, which overlooks the family home, Highclere Castle, and dominates the whole countryside.
It is the site of an ancient encampment and when ground in the vicinity was opened many years ago skeletons were unearthed, though it is probable that yesterday’s burial was the first on the hill since the Roman occupation of Britain.
The ground was consecrated on Sunday by the Bishop of Winchester, and yesterday a short service was held in the little chapel in Highclere Park, built in 1885 by Henrietta Anna Countess of Carnarvon.
The funeral was strictly private, and the procession to the burial place, over a mile distant, was through the beautiful park, past Highclere Castle. The whole length of the private golf links was traversed to the southern approaches to the hill, where the gradients are easiest. At the steepest part a motor-tractor was waiting. This was coupled up in front of the motor-car, and so the ascent was completed.
Source info: MS note by AW “Daily Mail May 1st 23”.
Watkins mentions this hilltop burial in The Old Straight Track, page 123.