As with its not too distant neighbour at Tolleshunt Major, a little under 3.5 miles to the southwest, this fine round barrow, of copious circumference, has unfortunately been lumbered with the moniker 'Mill Mound', no doubt a reference to the former Virley Mill at TL948138, the latter demolished in 1900. However, don't be fooled by such floury shenanigans. For this is the real prehistoric deal, worthy of a Paul Hollywood handshake. And then some.
Historic England has this to say:
"The barrow 380m east of Payne's Farm is an example of a rare form of bowl barrow with a causeway across its surrounding ditch.... It survives as a hemispherical earth mound which measures 30m in diameter and c.2m in height. It is surrounded by a shallow ditch from which material was quarried during the construction of the monument. This has become partly infilled over the years but survives as a slight earthwork 3m wide and c.0.4m deep. The ditch has a causeway 5m wide on the eastern side." [List Entry Number: 1009450]
A public footpath heads south from Colchester Road (very roughly midway between Payne's Farm and Brooklyn) leading unerringly to the great monument, the surrounding ditch still pretty clear.
Log in |
Register
0 discussions
Show map (inline Google Map)
Add an image 
Posted by GLADMAN
Top of page