Weardale House Mound, St John's Chapel
Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Weardale House Mound, St John's Chapel |
| Alternative Names | Snap; Ireshopeburn |
| Historic Country | Durham |
| Modern Authority | Durham |
| 1974 Authority | County Durham |
| Civil Parish | Stanhope |
(NY 87123849) "Large mound, possible a barrow. Local tradition that 'a King was buried there'." (Annotated Record Map EJW Hildyard April 1955).
A grass and tree covered mound measuring 62 by 40m. overall and with a maximum height of 4m, the near flat top measuring 24 by 14m. A stoney construction is visible in the sides. The dimensions and situation of the mound suggest that it is unlikely to be a tumulus, but more probably a motte. There are no traces of a ditch or bailey (F1 DS 24-JUN-57).
This mound, which is oval in shape and situated at the foot of sloping ground, is not a barrow nor does it resemble a motte. It has the appearance of a natural feature and is not all that different to other slightly smaller elongated undulations to the south east. The stone construction referred to by F1 is modern (F2 BHP 02-OCT-74)
On the basis of the mound's orientation and dimensions Young suggests it may be a long barrow. He further states it is not a spoil heap or a glacial feature (Young). A natural feature with nothing to suggest that it has ever been utilised as a barrow or a motte (F3 ISS 9-OCT-79). (PastScape)
Not scheduled
Not Listed
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | NY871384 |
| Latitude | 54.7412109375 |
| Longitude | -2.20156002044678 |
| Eastings | 387120 |
| Northings | 538490 |
