MSO11950 - Hooked Stone (Monument)

A possibly natural stone that marked the the junction of the parishes of Exmoor, Withypoole and Hawkridge. It is mentioned in Exmoor Forest perambulations and illustrated on the "Map of Exmore" of 1675. Its current location is uncertain.

There used to be a stone called "The Hooked Stone" (or variants) at the junction of the parishes of Exmoor, Withypool and Hawkridge (IE at SS 8120 3447). It is mentioned in the Exmoor perambulations and illustrated on 'the Map of Exmore' of 1675 as apparently recumbent, and on a map of Withypool and Hawkridge parishes of 1688 as apparently erect. It is said to have disappeared since 1815. It appears to have been natural. [1,2] The feature is recorded as the "Hookey Stone" on the 1818 Inclosure Map of Exmoor. [3] It is similarly labelled "Hooked Stone" on the 1818 Inclosure Map that has the allotments marked. [4] A "stone" is shown on the 2021 MasterMap data at SS 8128 3452. [5] The stone shown on the 2021 MasterMap data is labelled "B.S." (or boundary stone) on the 2021 MasterMap data. It follows the Paris Boundary between Withypool and Hawkridge (the boundary with Exmoor Parish is a short distance to the west). [6] The precise location for the stone is not specifically marked on the 1818 maps. It is possible, although not clear, that the stone may in fact be the same recorded on the 2021 MasterMap data. [7] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [8]