Scheduled Monument: Bowl barrow and round cairn on Withypool Hill, 850m and 820m east of Portford Bridge (1021262)

Details The monument, which lies in two separate areas of protection, includes a bowl barrow and a round cairn, both of prehistoric date, located on high open moorland on a south-west facing slope of Withypool Hill. The bowl barrow occupies a prominent position on the summit of the hill. Its original profile has been modified by antiquarian activity and it survives as a circular earth and stone mound which has several hollows dug into its broad summit. The diameter of the mound is 20.5m and it is approximately 1.1m high. In common with other bowl barrows in the region, the mound would have been surrounded by a ditch from which material was quarried for its construction. This ditch is no longer clearly visible at ground level but will survive as a buried feature approximately 2m wide. The round cairn which is located 50m south west of the bowl barrow, occupies a gentle slope below the crest of the hill. It is formed by a stone mound 3.5m in diameter and 0.4m high. The bowl barrow and round cairn are sited close to a prehistoric stone circle, the subject of a separate scheduling, which may have acted as a focus for their location. Selected Sources Book Reference - Title: National Monument Record - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: SS 83 SW 2 Book Reference - Title: National Monument Record - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: SS 83 SW 53 Article Reference - Author: Grinsell, L V - Title: Somerset Barrows - Date: 1969 - Journal Title: Proceedings Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society - Volume: 113 - Page References: 42 - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: Withypool No 6