See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

Headland Warren dating from the early 18th to the early 20th century and bounded by at least 14 inscribed boundary stones. The warren included seven isolated enclosures, 37 pillow mounds and at least five vermin traps

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1009189: Bennett's Cross: a wayside cross on the south side of the B3212, 900m north east of the Warren House Inn
• Scheduled Monument 1021342: Two Headland Warren boundary stones, 275m and 430m north of Birch Tor
• Scheduled Monument 1021345: Three Headland Warren boundary stones, 350m, 330m and 400m south east of Headland Warren Farm
• Scheduled Monument 1021340: Tinworks, field systems, settlements, warren, cairns and a stone alignment at Headland Warren

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX68SE339
• National Monuments Record: SX68SE360
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1344328
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1344983
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX68SE/8
• Old SAM Ref: 34499

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• BOUNDARY STONE (Constructed, XVIII to Early 20th Century - 1780 AD (Between) to 1920 AD (Between))
• PILLOW MOUND (Constructed, XVIII to Early 20th Century - 1780 AD (Between) to 1920 AD (Between))
• RABBIT WARREN (Constructed, XVIII to Early 20th Century - 1780 AD (Between) to 1920 AD (Between))

Full description

Harris, H., 1968, Industrial Archaeology of Dartmoor, 211 (Monograph). SDV149229.

Headland Warren, of about 590 acres (262ha) was bounded by a high rabbit proof wall to the south, Wallabrook to the west, and the road on the east, and extended northwards level with Birch Tor.

Haynes, R. G., 1970, Vermin Traps and Rabbit Warrens on Dartmoor, 162 (Article in Serial). SDV166302.

Boundary stones mark the edge of the warren between the Wallabrook and the Widecombe road. The warren is deficient in buries. One has been found in the vicinity of the house, and seven on the slopes below Bennett's Cross. The rabbits were kept in walled enclosures thickly planted with sheltering gorse. Four of these remain in the west of headland, and others are in the vicinity of the Warren House. Two vermin traps have been noted.

National Monuments Record, 1979, SF1508, 15 (Aerial Photograph). SDV346563.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1985, Aerial Photograph Project (Dartmoor) - Dartmoor Pre-NMP (Cartographic). SDV319854.

Two walled fields are visible and recorded, and one pillow mound is visible at sx69058111.

Brewer, D., 1986, Headland Warren, 22-23 (Article in Serial). SDV217256.

Discussed by Brewer.

Williamson, T. + Loveday, R., 1988, Dartmoor Pillow Mounds, 297 (Article in Serial). SDV166308.

It is argued that warrens with such enclosures had no need for pillow mounds which are more common on extensive or open warrens.

Newman, P., 2001, Headland Warren Part 3: The Warren, Figure 2 (Report - Survey). SDV359913.

(24-25/07/2001) Centred SX 685-810-. Headland Warren. A rabbit warren which is first documented in 1797 and operated until the early 1920s. The warren is spread over 248 ha. to the north of the Manaton North Bovey boundary wall and includes Birch Tor and the northern end of Soussons Common. The remains include a series of boundary stones (SX 68 SE 368) marking the northern and eastern limits of the warren; 34 pillow mounds (SX 68 SE 360); six isolated enclosures (SX 68 SE 340; 341; 345; 359; 365; 366; 367) and five vermin traps (SX 68 SE 168; 335; 336). The original Headland Warren house is still occupied as a private residence.
Centred SX 6858 8132. A total of 34 pillow mounds dispersed over the lands of Headland Warren (SX 68 SE 339). The warren is documented from 1780 but rabbit farming had probably ceased there by the 1920s. Several different types are present including standard with parallel side and rounded ends, circular, and elongated. Some of the mounds have been built into former field banks and disused tinners leats. All the mounds are constructed from earth and the average height is between 0.9m to 1.2m. Ditches have survived on several examples. Most are now covered by heather and furze.
NoGrid Ref (SX)App length/dia
01) SX 68098127 measures 20m, sited in previously cultivated enclosure.
02) SX 68038122 measures 25m, sited in previously cultivated enclosure.
03) SX 67938108 measures 22m.
04) SX 67998095 measures 18m.
05) SX 68028074 measures 26m, sited in area of ridge and furrow.
06) SX 68138075 measures 22.5m. Sited in area of R & F
07) SX 68158082 measures 25.5m.
08) SX 68178083 measures 36m.
09) SX 68348087 measures 11m, probable circular mound.
10) SX 68548112 measures 23m.
11) SX 68448077 measures 25m, adjacent to stone wall enclosure.
12) SX 68488079 measures 48m, adjacent to stone wall enclosure.
13) SX 68498084 measures 103m, adjacent to stone wall enclosure.
14) SX 68692686 measures 21m.
15) SX 68438061 measures 27m, adapted from old hedge bank.
16) SX 68538066 measures 22.3m.
17) SX 68548065 measures 30m, adapted from old leat.
18) SX 68588053 measures 40m, adapted from old leat.
19) SX 68858071 measures 23.5m, very clear ditch.
20) SX 68268119 measures 32m.
21) SX 68328120 measures 88m, adjacent to walled enclosure.
22) SX 68308121 measures 21m, probable pillow mound.
23) SX 68348154 measures 17m.
24) SX 68258175 measures 11.5m, small example.
25) SX 68328175 measures 8.5m, small example.
26) SX 68448169 measures 11m, small example.
27) SX 68538169 measures 8.5m, small example.
28) SX 68898158 measures 25.5m, wide ditch.
29) SX 6891 8156 measures 15m, circular/good ditch.
30) SX 6907 8132 measures 45.5m, adapted from old leat.
31) SX 69058124 measures 30m, adapted from old leat.
32) SX 69098132 measures 21.5m, disturbed by rabbits.
33) SX 69098131 measures 20.5m, disturbed by rabbits.
34) SX 69328115 measures 31m, no ditch.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7139 - Headland Warren and the Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines Survey (Ref: A1/20/2001, A1/34/2002)
• EDV7390 - Archaeological condition survey in Soussons Woods
• EDV7402 - Archaeological condition survey in Soussons Woods
• EDV7431 - Woodland Survey (1989-90) at Bellever, Soussons and other woodland parcels
• EDV8658 - Challacombe, Duchy Farms Survey
• EDV8409 - Dartmoor Royal Forest Project

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.