The Longstone (Exmoor) (Standing Stone / Menhir)

Just had a short break in north Devon, walking on Exmoor; along the coastal path from Lynton; and the green paths around some of timeless, unspoilt villages. I was aware before going that apart from Bronze Age barrows there was no exceptionally impressive prehistoric archaeology on Exmoor – we did manage to find the Long Stone and associated barrows, Longstone Barrow and Chapman Barrows. The Long Stone stands in very boggy land about half way between them. A local man who worked in the Exmoor Visitor’s Centre down in Lynmouth told us he understood there was as much of the stone beneath the surface as there was above – the stone stands approximately three metres high (nine feet) and slim in width. We started our walk by walking uphill towards the Pinkery Exploration Centre from Goat Hill Gate where there is a small road side parking area. The path up to Pinkery Pond was by and large a good one – once at the top it became considerably cooler and windier in the autumn sunshine. We then followed the fence line path to Wood Barrow Gate where we had to climb over a tricky barbed wire fence as the actual path was on the other side of the fence. At this point our progress was watched by a herd of Highland cattle as this was true moorland. The ground very boggy – good walking boots essential (I was very glad I changed my mind about going up there in light walking shoes). We stopped for a bit at the Long Stone Barrow to have a drink and a snack before going over to the Long Stone, which is quite well camouflaged against the moorland grass. It’s an intriguing stone and we couldn’t help speculating about why it was there, I imagine its purpose is closely related to the large barrows on either side of it. As we retraced our steps back to Pinkery Pond we saw a pair of red deer in the distance, one of them definitely a stag. Walking downhill into the warm afternoon sunshine following the course of a moorland stream made our walk an enjoyable experience indeed. Comments (1)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by tjj 3rd October 2015ce Edited 7th October 2015ce

Haytor Rock (Rocky Outcrop)

Directions: To the west of Haytor Vale alongside the B3387 – you can’t miss it! There are a couple of car parks you can choose from, the main one has an information centre and toilets. I bought the E.H. site guides for Merrivale, Hound Tor DMV and Grimspound from the shop. I don’t know if this site is appropriate to be included on TMA but as other rock outcrops are I assume it is? If not, apologies to the Eds who I am sure will delete anyway! This is a significant landmark and I am sure it will have been as much a curiosity for the ancients as it is for visitors today. The walk up to the Tor isn’t that far but it is a little steep. The weather wasn’t so good today and a cold wind and light drizzle took the edge off the visit. There are handy steps carved into the rocks which make climbing to the top a lot easier than it would otherwise have been. There are great all round views to be had but due to the weather the view was limited to ‘only’ several miles. This is a great place to visit when in the area. I just love these rock Tors – great places to explore! Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by CARL 23rd April 2015ce

Shoulsbury Castle (Hillfort)

Formicaant's notes prompted me to quote my fieldnotes of 6th May 2007 for this sadly neglected site... so here goes.. Finding no apparent access from the minor road crossing the shoulder of Castle Common - and more importantly, no place to park - I decide to leave the car at the hairpin bend at Mole's Chamber and approach from 'round the back'... Take the higher of the two bridleways heading north before veering steeply uphill to my left. It soon becomes apparent that the landowner clearly does not want people to see this fort, despite it standing on public access land... hmm. However, keeping to the right of a barbed-wire fence, I ascend a gulley with not a little difficulty, eventually reaching the ramparts marooned within yet more barbed wire. How I hate this stuff! Persevere, however, since there is a gate giving access to the enclosure at the SW corner. Although pretty eroded, the ramparts are still more than discernible and bivallate where not protected by steep slopes to the south and south-west. This has apparently led some to contend that the hillfort was never finished, although I must admit a ruthlessly practical husbandry of resources appears a more likely explanation to me. There even appears to be the remains of a round barrow in the NE corner? Shoulsbury is not the most powerful hillfort you'll ever visit, but the majestic view southwards over Exmoor is a veritable glory indeed, a vista which, unfortunately, is not destined to last today since a violent storm front sweeps in to obliterate all and give me a fearful hammering. Consequently I decide to return to the car via the road to the south, descending out of mist to find the gate barbed-wired across. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to the mentality/morality of the landowner..... So, Cow Castle may be Exmoor's hillfort jewel-in-the-crown, but Shoulsbury nevertheless possesses superb views, great atmosphere and some reasonable ramparts. Combine a visit with the nearby Setta Barrow and you're laughing... provided you aren't put off by a bit of wire. Comments (1)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by GLADMAN 9th February 2010ce

I saw this site from the valley below while visiting the nearby Setta barrow and five barrow hill. From below it does not look very substantial, sadly I ran out of time so could not get up to it, good excuse for another trip to these parts. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by formicaant 9th February 2010ce

Muxworthy Ridge (Round Barrow(s))

These barrows are just west of Setta barrow and the Five barrows group. They run south to north on the top of a west facing ridge. Apparently there are four in the group, but I could only see three. The southern one has a group of low stones in its centre. Not sure wether these are the remains of a burial chamber or cist. The central barrow appears relatively undamaged and is a medium sized bowl type. The north on is low and appears to have been damaged at some stage. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by formicaant 12th June 2009ce Edited 16th June 2010ce

Five Barrows (Barrow / Cairn Cemetery)

I went to this group prior to visiting Setta barrow which is a few hundred yards north east. They are a varied group in terms of size and are spread east to west across the ridge of a high hill. Some show signs of having been excavated, particularly the central one with the trig point on it. The setting for these barrows is quite spectacular, with views across many miles of Exmoor. There are at least 6 other barrows within a short distance and an iron age hillfort a couple of miles to the north east. One of the barrows in the group is a bell type barrow and is a real rarity , wessex fancy barrows aren't usually found this far west. I counted 8 in this group, all of which are pictured here. Having read Rhiannon's previous info I did not attempt to look for the stone row. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by formicaant 12th June 2009ce Edited 9th February 2010ce

Paracombe Lane (Standing Stone / Menhir)

An un-named stone in the middle of a field, it is believed to mark the source of a stream,possibly connected in some way to St.Thomas well located a little to the South East of this site. It was a dry afternoon when I took the photos shown here and the weather had been dry for some time so there was no sign of a water source,or a hint of bog plants. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by starrybob 17th December 2006ce

Clannon Ball Stone Setting

[visited 2/7/6] Drive towards Two Gates from the A-road, trying to find a setting next to the road, stop randomly to take bearings, realise you've gone far too far but are close to some other settings, go to those instead. And it was a real treat to see by accident. My first triangular setting, again no stone higher than my knee, but with two in short grass we really saw the power that these small settings can provide. I kept thinking if I stand in the middle and say the right incantation I'll be imbued with a mystical power, but sadly no. Access is good, its about a 5 miunte walk from the car in a straight line or a 15 minute one walking in zigzags. Keep on the path and head down the hill, if you can still see your car, you're not far enough down. This post appears as part of the blog post "Exmoor virgins" Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by juamei 5th July 2006ce

West Anstey Longstone (Standing Stone / Menhir)

[visited 2/7/6] If ever a stone was a way marker at the top of a valley, this was it. Its in lovely location and its flat faces point north down the lush green landscape into the valley. The stone is one of the largest we saw over the weekend and possibly the nicest. Head away from the road and bear left down the hill, you should see it about 30 yards away at the head of the valley. Access is good. About 5 minutes from the road, over open moor with low grass. This post appears as part of the blog post "Exmoor virgins" Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by juamei 5th July 2006ce

Longstone Barrow (Round Barrow(s))

This round barrow lies 300m to the south-east of the Longstone and is probably the largest on Exmoor at 34m wide by 2.7m high. Comments (0)  |  Add a comment  |  Permalink

Posted by baza 1st August 2004ce