Principal Archaeological Landscape: Cow Castle (21)

Location Situated within the Barle Valley close to its confluence with White Water, the PAL is located along the Two Moors Way. Description of Archaeology A univallate hill top enclosure occupying a prominent knoll within the Barle Valley. The enclosure is of presumed Iron Age date. The banks are composed of earth and stone with some revetting in places. There is a single entrance on the southern side. The interior is featureless although a couple of platforms have been tentatively identified. The monument is known locally as the cow and calf, as there is a smaller knoll located immediately south east of Cow Castle. The site is a scheduled monument. Principal significance This is one of Exmoor’s iconic archaeological sites and occupies a dramatic topographic situation in the landscape. It presents a well preserved Iron Age defensive site with views both up and down the Barle valley. The presence of an iron mining open work nearby at Pickedstones adds to the significance of the site.