Scheduled Monument: Stone circle on Withypool Hill 670m ESE of Portford Bridge (1021261)

Details The monument includes a stone circle of prehistoric date located on a south and west facing slope about 180m south west of the summit of Withypool Hill. It lies in high open moorland with views west towards Withypool Down, and south over Old Barrow Down. The stone circle is formed by a ring of upright rough stone blocks which originate from the Pickwell Down beds located to the south of Withypool and it is believed to have been constructed during the period from the Late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. It is formed by around 25 upright and earthfast stones, and several which have fallen or are displaced, but remain in or close to their original position. The sites of former earthfast stones are visible as shallow depressions and gaps in the circle, particularly on the north and west sides. The circuit of stones survives most completely on the eastern side where there is a regular interval of just over 1m between each stone. The larger of the stones are to be found in this sector; four of these have an average size of 0.5m in height, 0.6m in width and are 0.2m thick. The average dimensions of the majority of the stones are 0.5m high, 0.4m wide and 0.2m thick. The overall diameter of the stone circle is 36m with an approximate circumference of 115m. Given the size of the circle, and the spacing between each stone, it has been estimated that the circle originally comprised 100 stones approximately. Selected Sources Book Reference - Title: National Monument Record - Type: DESC TEXT - Description: SS 83 SW 1 Article Reference - Author: Gray, H St.G. - Title: The Stone Circle on Withypool Hill, Exmoor - Date: 1906 - Journal Title: Proceedings Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society - Volume: 52 - Page References: 42-50 - Type: DESC TEXT