Monument record MDO897 - Mound on High Bullen, Whitchurch Canonicorum

Three low mounds 15 feet to 18 feet across, undisturbed and without ditches, have been discovered close together on the N shoulder of High Bullen, at about SY 407944, within Chideock parish and about 300 yards SSE of the mounds on Hardown Hill.

Three round barrows on High Bullen, SY 407944. Scheduled as ancient monuments. (2)

SY407944. Three small mound each about 9 inches high in a rough line on stoney ground. and stripped of turf:
A - SY40619421: 18 feet diameter, B- SY40629421: 16 feet diameter, C- SY40639421: 15 feet diameter.
Visited 17-Dec-1968. These barrows are shown on the DoE maplet at SY406942. (3)

SY407944. Chideock 1-3. "Low mounds, possibly barrows, extension of Hardown Hill group?". (4)

SY406943. A line of probable barrows extends roughly E-W for 60 yards along the south edge of the gravel plateau of High Bullen, part of Highdown Hill. There are 9 barrows:

1) 25 feet diameter, 2 feet high, undisturbed, edges quarried. On the highest point in the vicinity.
2) 18 feet by 10 feet, 2 feet high. trench cut through centre.
3) 16 feet by 15 feet, 1 foot high. Hole in the centre.
4) 18 feet diameter, 1 foot high. Cruciform cut in the centre.
5) 14 feet by 10 feet, 1 foot high. Hole in the centre.
6) 12 feet diameter, 1 foot high, undisturbed.
7-9) 10-14 feet in diameter, 1 foot high, undisturbed.
All are quite distinct, but there is no record of any finds. Vistited by J Radley, 01-Feb-1964. (5)

The site was again visited on 24-Oct-1968 by HC Bowen and B Eagles in connection with the Hardown Hill group of barrows. They make no reference to Radley's report (5). Apart from a shallow quarry and possible Home Guard disturbance, they noted only three mounds that could be regarded as ancient. These, at approximately SY407944, were sited in a crest-line position, close together in a rough line. They are roughly circular, 15 feet to 18 feet in diameter. The ground nearby was disturbed but the mounds appeared intact and more regular than spoil dumps. "They could be small barrows of any age".

The barrows are visible at SY40639423 on an RAF air photo(b). (6)

National Record of the Historic Environment, 450244 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Royal Air Force, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 3176 (Aerial Photograph). SDO20409.

Grinsell, L V, 1982, Dorset Barrows Supplement (Monograph). SWX1703.

Record last edited

Dec 29 2023 8:51AM