Exmoor is rich in historic sites from prehistoric fields, to Iron Age hill forts and the remains of nineteenth century iron mines. All are fascinating in their own right and, as well as stimulating the minds of young and old alike, provide unique aspects to walks on Exmoor. The following archaeological sites are worth visiting with your dog:

1) Dunkery - Timberscombe - Wootton Courtenay
In Mamsley Combe are the remains of some prehistoric fields. These take the form of low, stony banks and are thought to date from the Bronze Age around 4000 years ago. At those times, the climate was warmer and these fields were used for growing crops.

2) Winsford - Bridgetown - Ilype Hill - Wheddon Cross
In the vicinity of Oldrey Farm are the remains of an iron smelting site, where iron ore (mined on nearby Ison Hill) was smelted into metal. The site has not been accurately dated but could be as much as 2000 years old. On Ison Hill are the scoops and hollows of the old mines, as well as mine shafts which date from the nineteenth century.

3) Haddon Hill
As you cross the ford on Haddon Hill, the remains of a miniature mock castle can be seen. This was once part of the pleasure grounds of a small country house which stood at Withiel Florey. The house was built at the end of the eighteenth century and pulled down by 1830. It was surrounded by a small park with lakes and gardens, now all reverted to farmland.

At the end of this pleasure ground, in a beech copse, are the ruins of one of the estate workers cottages, disguised as any 'eyecatcher' in the form of a mock castle, to be seen from the house.

4) Simonsbath - Exford
On a natural knoll in the Barle Valley are the remains of Cow Castle, an Iron Age hill fort built between 2000 and 3000 years ago. The traces of the enclosing ramparts - a bank and ditch - can still be traced around the hill.

5) Malmstead - Coast Path - Culbone
In this area, are the remains of a WW11 anti-aircraft battery. It was used to defend a listening installation on Stent Hill - this monitored aircraft activity over the Bristol Channel. If you go towards Culbone Inn, the platform of Nissen huts, which provided troop accommodation, are seen on the right hand side of the road.

6) Malmstead - Brendon Common - Doone Valley
On the banks of Badgworthy Water are the minor traces of at least 12 buildings - the remains of a Medieval village from 700 years ago. A few stony banks are all that is left of a scatter of houses and barns set within terraced fields. The village was abandoned in the 1400's.

7) Challacombe - Parracombe
The high ridge that runs south-eastward from Chapman Barrows towards Chains is littered with Bronze Age round barrows - burial places for our ancient ancestors.