The Chains is the name given to the north-west plateau of Exmoor. This plateau lies above the 1,500 foot contour, its higher point such as Chapman
Barrows, Wood Barrow and Chains Barrow being nearly up to the 1,600 foot line. It is the watershed between the rivers flowing south and west - the Barle and the Exe and their tributaries, and the rivers flowing to the north - Farley Water and Hoaroak Water, the main tributaries of the East Lyn, and the West Lyn river with its numerous feeders.
A wild moorland ridge with its highest point at Chains Barrow - 1,599ft (487m). A path leads along the southern edge of the ridge between Exe Head and Pinkworthy Pond, which dams the headwaters of the River Barle. The pond was created for landowner John Knight around 1830 but its purpose is unknown. Here is Exmoor's most extensive area of blanket bog; typical plants include deer sedge, cotton grasses, cross-leaved heath, bog asphodel, sundew and heath spotted orchid. Access is usually via the B3358 west of Simonsbath and Shallowford south of Barbrook.
View over rthe Chains looking North - taken near Saddle Gate
With an impermeable layer just below the surface of the soil the Chains area is often boggy.
The Cahins are a wild moorland ridge with its highest point at Chains Barrow - 1,599ft (487m). A path leads along the southern edge of the ridge between Exe Head and Pinkworthy Pond, which dams the headwaters of the River Barle. The pond was created for landowner John Knight around 1830 but its purpose is unknown. Here is Exmoor's most extensive area of blanket bog; typical plants include deer sedge, cotton grasses, cross-leaved heath, bog asphodel, sundew and heath spotted orchid. Access is usually via the B3358 west of Simonsbath and Shallowford south of Barbrook.
OS Grid Reference: SS7342)
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