Holiday in Exmoor - The Hoar Oak and The Chains

Today was better weather-wise with sunny periods and no rain but till a bit windy. Although cool, it was a pleasant temperature for walking.

Wild Exmoor Ponies

We drove to Shallowford, which is basically a farm on the edge of moorland, and parked where the metalled track ended. From here we set off across the moorland reaching Hill Cottage where we followed a lane and then a bridleway across pasture land and several fields until we reached the large area of Furzehill Common.

A Rough Track with typical Devonian Walls

Furzehill Common has quite a few antiquities marked on the map including Tumuli, Cairns and Standing Stones. We spotted some Standing Stones on the map not far off our intended route and decided to make a short detour to see them. When we got to the Standing Stones, there was a small knee-high stone and several small stones lying on the ground which was a bit disappointing.
Continuing onwards, we dropped down onto a track passing a ruined farm building, until we arrived at the narrow stream of Hoar Oak Water near the ancient site of the Hoar Oak. There has been an oak tree at this location for centuries, although the tree has been replaced when required.

Path with the fenced-off Hoar Oak

We stopped by the stream where a path crossed over to the fenced off Hoar Oak, and ate our lunch. Next we followed the valley carrying the stream to the head of the valley where we met a junction of several paths at Exe Head, the source of the River Exe.
We chose the path heading westwards on moorland with short boggy sections, which were avoided by following a path on the top of a wide wall. We could see the Trig. Point on Chains Barrow on our right and continuing onwards passing through a gate and over a stile until we arrived at the small reservoir of Pinkery Pond.

Pinkery Pond

We stopped at Pinkery Pond to have another snack and drink, then continued onwards arriving at a gate next to the large mound of Wood Barrow. From Wood Barrow we followed a short detour of about a kilometre and a quarter passing some tumuli and Longstone Barrow to arrive at the single Standing Stone called the Long Stone which is about a metre wide and two and a half metres high.

Long Stone with Wood Barrow in background

On the horizon was yet another barrow called Chapmans Barrow. After having a look at the Long Stone, we retraced our route back to Wood Barrow. At Wood Barrow we headed on a grassy track northwards towards Saddle Stone then along a rough vehicle track which brought us back to where we had left the car at Shallowford.

Low Tide in Lynmouth Harbour

After a shower back at the hotel, we drove down to Lynmouth and had a meal at The Rising Sun pub to celebrate Karen's birthday which was today.

The Rising Sun, Lynmouth

I was wearing Asolo Fugitive boots, Berghaus trousers, Paramo Third Element jacket and Osprey Kestrel 38 rucksack.