Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Robin Hoods Butts
Hob Uid: 190466
Location : Somerset Somerset West and Taunton Otterford
Grid Ref : ST2357013160
Summary : A dispersed group of three bowl barrows forming part of a group of nine round barrows known as Robin Hood's Butts located on Brown Down in the eastern region of the Blackdown Hills. The mound of the barrow at ST 23571316 is approximately 4 metres high and 36 metres in diameter whilst the mound of the barrow at ST 23741278 is approximately 3.5 metres high and 38 metres in diameter. Each mound is surrounded by a quarry ditch, approximately 3 metres wide, which now survive as shallow depressions, giving the barrows maximum overall diameters of 42 metres and 44 metres respectively. A report published in 1818 mentions a part excavation of one of the barrows where a cremation was found above a foundation of large stones. It is thought likely that the report refers to the barrow at ST 23741278 where a hollow is visible on the mound. The third barrow at ST 23411257 has a mound 38 metres in diameter and 1.5 metres high, surrounded by a quarry ditch 3 metres wide with an average depth of 0.4 metres. Scheduled.
More information : ['A' ST 2357 1316 and 'B' 2375 1278] Robin Hood's Butts (Tumuli) [O.E.] ['C' ST 2341 1257] (1-2) Several barrows on the west of the turnpike road to Taunton. Three are in a line with the road and are called Robin Hood's Butts. They are about a quarter of a mile apart, and sixty feet in diameter. One was opened in 1818 and a conical heap of flints, about 3 ft. in diameter was found in the centre. The most western is a bowl barrow. Three barrows are shown on the tithe map. Each is called 'Robin Hood's Butts'. They are at 'D' ST 2322 1355 (not shown on O.S. 6") at ST 2357 1316: and ST 2375 1279. The position of the latter two agrees well with the O.S. 6" ('A' & 'B') and suggests that the first-mentioned barrow is also correctly positioned. (3) 'Otterford, Robin Hood's Butts, round barrows'. Scheduled as Ancient Monuments. Applies to this group and 86 NE 2 - MOW. M.S.S.map ref. ST 238128 & 230144 '86 NE 1). (4) A 25" survey has been made of the three barrows. (5) 'A', 'B' and 'C' are listed as ditched bowl barrows and numbered as Otterford 6, 7 and 8 respectively. Grinsell states that Otterford 7 (i.e. 'B') was probably the one excavated in 1818. (6) 'A' is a large bowl barrow 4.1m high with the remains of a surrounding ditch 0.2m. deep. Except for minor surface digging it appears to be undisturbed. (See G.P.'s AO/65/194/1 & 2). 'B' is a large bowl barrow 3.4m. high with traces of an unsurveyable ditch around its north-west quadrant. A trench has been driven into the centre from the south-west and the top has been dug out. (See G.P.'s AO/65/193/3 &4) 'C' is a truncated bowl barrow 1.6m. high. Recent field reclamation has almost filled in the ditch, which is now nowhere more than 0.2m deep. (See G.Ps AO/65/193/5 & 6) 'D' was not located but the position indicated for this mound is covered by impenetrable rhododendron which renders a proper search of the area quite impossible. 'A', 'B' and 'C' are correctly shown on the O.S. 25" in 1964. (7) No change from report of 28.9.65. Barrow 'D' not located; the area is now densely covered with conifers. (8)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 6" 1905
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Source details : OS 6" 1906
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Source Number : 9
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Source details : 07-Jul-99
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : R1 DJC 6-APR-60
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Source Number : 3a
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Source details : Phelps W. History of Somerset
Page(s) : 89
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Vol(s) : 1, 1836

Source Number : 3b
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Source Number : 4
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : F1 NVQ 05-AUG-60
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Grinsell LV. West Somerset Barrows, MSS
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : F2 GHP 28-SEP-65
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Source Number : 8
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Source details : F3 MJF 11-SEP-75
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Bronze Age
Display Date : Bronze Age
Monument End Date : -700
Monument Start Date : -2600
Monument Type : Bowl Barrow
Evidence : Earthwork

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Somerset)
External Cross Reference Number : 4/29/16
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : SO 188
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 32166
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 32167
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : ST 21 SW 9
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1818-01-01
End Date : 1818-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1960-08-05
End Date : 1960-08-05

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1965-09-28
End Date : 1965-09-28

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1975-09-11
End Date : 1975-09-11

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 2009-01-01
End Date : 2009-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Robin Hoods Butts