Principal Archaeological Landscape: Robin and Joaney How (17)

Location This area of high moorland is east of Dunkery Beacon (the highest point on Exmoor) and comprises an outlying summit of the Dunkery Hill massif. To the east the hill sweeps away to the Avill valley and Wootton Courtenay. There are extensive panoramic views northwards to Wales and southwards across Exmoor. Description of Archaeology The PAL includes a complex of barrows clustered around the summit barrows of Robin and Joaney How (which supposedly take their names from Robin Hood and Little John). Most of the barrows are un-named. The barrows are highly visible, well preserved and predominantly stone built and many of them exploit the geological terracing. Their stone built form gives this group much of its distinctive character (in contrast to other Exmoor barrow cemeteries like the Chapman Barrows which are turf covered and composed of a mixture of earth and stone). Principal significance The area is significant because of the large number of barrows represented and the high level of preservation of the barrows.