Blackawton; The Mount
Has been described as a Rejected Timber Castle (Motte)
There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains
| Name | Blackawton; The Mount |
| Alternative Names | The Beacon; Oldstone |
| Historic Country | Devonshire |
| Modern Authority | Devon |
| 1974 Authority | Devon |
| Civil Parish | Blackawton |
Alleged motte rejected by King as ornamental viewpoint.
The mound is 4.0 m. high, 19.0 m. in diameter from E. to W., and 28.0 m. in diameter from N. to S., including ramp on the southern side. Although it occupies a prominent position the view to the the east is restricted by higher ground. While this may be a beacon mound there is a strong possibility that it was part of the C18 landscaping associated with the mansion at Oldstones, a short distance to the N.W. (PastScape–ref. Field Investigators Comments-F1 NVQ 03-JAN-62)
Oldstone fire beacon, 178m above sea level. The mound or 'beacon' at the junction of the roads to Blackawton and Strete is 4.0m high, very steeply built except on the seaward side where the slope is long and slight. It is in the park of the ancient mansion of Oldstone (listed as Olvystone in 1330). Possibly this is the barrow beacon noted by Camden (Russell). (Devon and Dartmoor HER)
View to east is restricted by higher ground. Possibly this was part of the 18th. Century landscaping associated with Oldstone mansion. Elizabethan by inference however. Considered to be a motte by urch. A truncated cone 6m high and 9m in diameter (VCH). Almost certainly later than medieval, either an Elizabethan beacon or an 18th century landscaping feature contemporary with Oldstone house. An elongated mound 28 by 19m and 4m high with sloping ramp on one side (Higham). (Devon and Dartmoor HER)
Not scheduled
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SX819515 |
| Latitude | 50.3525695800781 |
| Longitude | -3.66125988960266 |
| Eastings | 281910 |
| Northings | 51590 |
