Bampton; The Mount

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameBampton; The Mount
Alternative Names
Historic CountryDevonshire
Modern AuthorityDevon
1974 AuthorityDevon
Civil ParishBampton

The Mount, north east of Combe Head, is a tree and bracken covered mound, diameter 18 paces, height possibly 14 feet. A doubtful barrow, it could perhaps be a Medieval motte or the result of landscape gardening. (PastScape – ref. Grinsell 1970, PSANHS)

Gatehouse Comments

Unlikely to be a motte on the basis of isolated location. Does not seem to part of a particularly designed landscape, although Coombe Head could be the centre for such. It would be interesting to consider the reason that Grinsell dismissed this as a barrow which, on location bases, is certainly the most likely explanation for this mound.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSS940232
Latitude50.9986000061035
Longitude-3.51064991950989
Eastings294090
Northings123220
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Grinsell, L.V., 1970, The archaeology of Exmoor: Bideford Bay to Bridgwater p. 135

Journals

  • Grinsell, L.V., 1970, 'Somerset barrows Part 2: north and east' Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society Vol. 115 p. 110