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HER Number:MDV4446
Name:Rock Outcrop near Kipling Tors, Westward Ho!

Summary

Previously reported barrow subsequently identified as a rock outcrop.

Location

Grid Reference:SS 420 288
Map Sheet:SS42NW
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishAbbotsham
DistrictTorridge
Ecclesiastical ParishABBOTSHAM

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

  • Old DCC SMR Ref: SS42NW/90/23

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • NATURAL FEATURE (Prehistoric - 698000 BC to 42 AD)

Full description

Haswell, B. W., 1975, Interim Report on Sites Located and Surveyed by Major B.W. Haswell on Tors Top, Westward Ho! (Un-published). SDV340139.

Passage barrow 41.6m by 30.5m by 500mm high with double revetment referred to in diameters as outer and inner. Kist (27.8m by 4.1m) extends 3.6m beyond the barrow edge on the northern aspect. No.22 on plan.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1977, SS42NW12 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV5823.

The mounds were investigated by Major Haswell in 1974-5 using dowsing methods which revealed a large number of barrows. Nothing significant shows on air photos. The irregularities in the ground appear natural.
Site visit 28th June 1977. No surface indications of sites 5, 8-15 and 25 which are in a pasture field with a slight south gradient. The other 20 mounds can be identified to some degree though all are ditchless and merge into the general configuration of the surace with no clearly definded change of slope. The 20 mounds occur at 70.0OD. The sandy top soil overlies Devonian Sandstone beds.
The external measurements given by Major Haswell are generally correct but his other assertions cannot be confirmed/disproved by field investigation. All though appear to be harder patches of sandstone which have withstood erosion better than their surrounds. It should be noted that similar features exist widely over the district.

Bayer, O. J., 1996, Barrows in the Torridge District of North West Devon: A Study in Distribution and Location, Abbotsham 2 (Undergraduate Dissertation). SDV319515.

Natural feature shown to be a rock outcrop.

Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J., 2007, The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report, No. 4446 (Report - Assessment). SDV339712.

Feature identified as barrow, subsequently shown to be natural rock outcrop.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV319515Undergraduate Dissertation: Bayer, O. J.. 1996. Barrows in the Torridge District of North West Devon: A Study in Distribution and Location. University of Leicester Dissertation. A4 Stapled + Digital. Abbotsham 2.
SDV339712Report - Assessment: Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J.. 2007. The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report. Exeter Archaeology Report. 06.22 (rev.1). A4 Stapled + Digital. No. 4446.
SDV340139Un-published: Haswell, B. W.. 1975. Interim Report on Sites Located and Surveyed by Major B.W. Haswell on Tors Top, Westward Ho!. A4 Stapled.
SDV5823Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. 1977. SS42NW12. OSAD Card. Card Index + Digital.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded


Date Last Edited:Oct 31 2025 1:26PM