Hutt Knowe

NS34SE 2 3754 4415.

(NS 3754 4415) Hutt Knowe (NAT)

OS 6" map (1970)

Hutt Knowe (NR)

OS 6" map (1911)

Hutt Knowe, a small hill, appears to be partly artificial. Mr Read (proprietor, Bonshaw) states that a house of some importance - probably the mansion of the Barony of Bolingshaw - is supposed to have stood near it. (Bonshaw, the present farmhouse, is dated 1775).

Name Book 1856

Bonshaw Mound, called the Hut Knoll, is a mound 18 paces in diameter at the base, 9 at the top, and 8ft high. Round the E side are placed some boulders, and penetrating the base of the mound, on the same side, are two culverts built of dry-stones.

J Smith 1895

Hut Knowe, and another structure close by, at NS 378 444, close to the E side of the road in front of Bonshaw farm-house, may represent kilns built into mounds.

R W Feachem 1959

The Hutt Knowe is a prominent, almost circular mound situated on an isolated knoll. It measures 9.0m by 7.0m acorss the flat top and has an overall diameter of some 17m. It is 2.7m high. A number of stones are visible in the sides, but there is no trace of the 'culverts' described by Smith.

To the NE of Bonshaw farm is a similar mound 2.3m high. It measures about 4.0m in diameter across its flat top, and has an overall diameter of some 8.0m. In the E face at ground level is an opening, 0.6m by 0.5m, with walls of stone, and roofed by a stone lintel. It appears to penetrate the mound for about 2.0m and then take a downward direction. The mound is now tree-covered.

Both features are similar to the 'Old Lime Kiln' (which is open) at NS 3772 4417.

Visited by OS (DS) 30 July 1956

No change to previous field report.

Visited by OS (JLD) 3 October 1962

Notwithstanding Smith's statement of 'culverts' penetrating Hutt Knowe, this mound is entirely different in form and location from the two purpose-built kiln mounds nearby, and it is of probable archaeological significance.

Entirely artificial, Hutt Know occupies the W end of a low swelling in a pasture field of preserved rig and furrow at approximately 60m OD. Although comparable in composition and construction with the alleged motte at nearby High Castleton (NS44SW 1) its size and location is less significant. As its postulated late use is suspect (note ONB history), the known neolithic - Bronze Age activity here (NS34SE 3) may suggest this is a barrow or cairn.

Visited by OS (JRL) 24 August 1982