This collection of 11 barrows which form Exmoor's largest group of Bronze Age burial mounds. They lie mostly on Challacombe Common, known locally as Homer Common. An agreement with the landowner gives access on foot along the Bronze Age ridgeway to Exmoor's tallest standing stone, the Longstone, and to Longstone Barrow. On a clear day you can see most of North Devon, Bodmin Moor and three more National Parks: Dartmoor, Brecon Beacons and the Pembrokeshire Coast. Access is via a long track up from Parracombe or along the wild Chains ridge.
The high ridge that runs south-eastward from Chapman Barrows towards The Chains is littered with Bronze Age round barrows - burial places for our ancient ancestors.
Chapman Barrows Quincunx
Chapman Barrows Quincunx setting has
Five stones, a quincunx, – four in a rectangle, and one in the centre with an erosion hollow, overlooking Radworthy and the source of the Bray river. The centre was the only one standing upright in July 2004 when we visited with the National Park archaeologist. Three others were snapped off, fallen or broken – probably the result of four track vehicles on the moor. One was either missing or not visible. Once described as “particularly fine” this setting is now severely damaged. One stone was no longer visible.
Eleven barrows run in an impressive line visible for miles. One was opened in 1885 and found to contain an inverted urn and burnt bone, another one of them was destroyed during an excavation in 1905, it contained a covered interment pit with charcoal and bone ash in it.
Near the Chapman Barrows is the Negus Stone erected in memory of 18 year old Robin Negus by his father who knew how much he loved the place.
According to folklore there's a dragon living among the Chapman Barrows.
OS Grid Reference: SS 69794333 |
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