Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 188608
Hob Uid: 188608
Location : Somerset Somerset West and Taunton Withycombe
Grid Ref : ST0023241262
Summary : The 1st edition Ordnance Survey map depicts a rectangular mound on the summit of Withycombe Hill, annotated "beacon," while a nearby possible cairn was identified in 1938. The cairn could not be located by field survey in 1965, while the beacon appears to be an artifical feature created by quarrying activity just below the summit of Withycombe Hill.
More information : [ST 0021 4126] BEACON (NR). (1)The highest point of Withycombe Hill is called Fire Beacon, and no doubt has been used as such in former times (2). No further information (3). Withycombe 5a. At ST 0022 4127 is a natural mound. Withycombe 5b. At ST 0022 4118 are the possible remains of a cairn with a large stone on the outside. [Grinsell considers neither of these to be barrows.] (4) Quarrying just below the top of Withycombe Hill has tended to exaggerate the profile so that when viewed from the N.W. it looks like an artificial mound. The cairn could not be located. (5) ST 00224127. Withycombe 5a. Both R Rainbird Clarke and Grinsell concur that the 'Beacon' on Withycombe Hill is not a barrow but a natural eminence. ST 00224118 approx. Withycombe 5b. Possible remains of cairn, with large stone on outside found by R Rainbird Clarke in 1938.Indicated by Grinsell as a 'doubtful or rejected site'. (6) The Ordnance Survey 1st edition 25" map depicts a sub-rectangular mound, named "Beacon" at ST 0021 4126 (7). This NGR lies at the edge of a disused stone quarry. There is no evidence for either an artificial fire-beacon mound or a prehistoric cairn in this vicinity (8). A small mound at ST 0022 4127 is visible on aerial photographs, but it is likely to be either an artificial feature created by quarrying or a natural outcrop. While this feature may have been used as a fire beacon in the past, there is no evidence that it was deliberately constructed as such. No trace of the alleged cairn could be seen (9).

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source : Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)
Source details : OS 6" 1962
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Source Number : 2
Source : VIRTUAL CATALOGUE ENTRY TO SUPPORT NAR MIGRATION
Source details : Hist. of Hundred of Carhampton 1830, 273-4. (J.Savage)
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Source Number : 3
Source : Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Object Name Book reference
Source details : Rev O.N.B. 1902, 7
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Source Number : 4
Source : VIRTUAL CATALOGUE ENTRY TO SUPPORT NAR MIGRATION
Source details : W. Somer Barrows Mss (L.V. Grinsell)
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Source Number : 5
Source : Field Investigators Comments
Source details : F1 JP 27-MAY-65
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Source Number : 6
Source : VIRTUAL CATALOGUE ENTRY TO SUPPORT NAR MIGRATION
Source details : P Somer A & NHS 113 1969 - Supplement: Somer Barrows pt 1 20 42 (L V Grinsell)
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Source Number : 7
Source : Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)
Source details : Ordnance Survey 1890 1st edition 25" map, Somerset 47.2
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Source Number : 8
Source : Field Investigators Comments
Source details : Riley H 1999 RCHME Field Investigation
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Source Number : 9
Source : Vertical aerial photograph reference number
Source details : NMR OS/79014 070-71 17-APR-1979
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Beacon
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Post Medieval
Monument End Date : 1901
Monument Start Date : 1540
Monument Type : Beacon
Evidence : Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Uncertain
Display Date : Uncertain
Monument End Date :
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Natural Feature
Evidence :

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Somerset)
External Cross Reference Number : 34265
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Somerset)
External Cross Reference Number : 34276
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : HER Number (Exmoor National Park)
External Cross Reference Number : MSO8632
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 04 SW 14
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities : Primary, FIELD OBSERVATION ON ST 04 SW 14
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1965-05-27
End Date : 1965-05-27

Associated Activities : Primary, ENGLISH HERITAGE: EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK NMP
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 2007-04-01
End Date : 2009-07-01

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 188608