Prehistoric Barrows on Exmoor

There are estimated to be 350 Round Barrows and burial mounds.

Woodbarrow (Grid Ref: SS716425)

This was excavated before to 1630 by a dowser who divined the existence of treasure in a brass bowl. Fortunately the diggers were overcome by faintness and a massive thunderstorm further dampened their enthusiasm This large Barrow neat the Chains has an irregular stone array nearby.

Wood Barrow (716425) which can be reached in a circular walk which takes in Wood Barrow from Breakneck Hole car park and Pinkery Pond via Pinkery Farm.

Chapman Barrows (Grid Ref: SS695435)

Chapman Barrows (696436), eleven in all, eight of them on the boundary between the parishes of Challacombe and Parracombe, suggest quite a population lived hereabouts in the Bronze Age. Reached along the lane to Withecombe Farm and the track beyond, Chapman Barrows is superbly sited with the whole of Exmoor lying eastwards, and Dartmoor showing to the south.

This is an impressive line of eleven bowl-shaped barrows that form a line over several miles One was excavated in 1885 and contained an inverted urn and burnt bone. In 1905 a poorly planned excavation effectively destroyed another but it did reveal a covered interment pit containing charcoal and bone.

Folklore has it that there is a dragon living among the Chapman Barrows.

Near the Chapman Barrows you will see the Negus Stone which was erected in memory of 18 year old Robin Negus by his father who knew how much he loved the place.

Wambarrows (Grid Ref: SS876344)

Reputedly haunted by a black dog these consist of a line of three concave Bronze Age burial mounds on Winsford Hill near the Caratacus Stone. ( standing stones)

Brightworthy Barrows (Grid Ref: SS817351)

Another good area to take in is Withypool Common, where the moorland scenery capped by Brightworthy Barrows (817351) is splendid. The adjoining Withypool Hill is the site of an archaeologically superb stone circle (838343), as well as a barrow.

See also:

• Monuments Overview
• Prehistoric Barrows
• castles
• Medieval Villages
• Clapper Bridges
• Standing Stones

Contributed by: John Evans