Burrow Hill

Undoubtedly one of the oldest thoroughfares in Plymstock, and certainly, in places, the least spoilt is Burrow Hill. Commanding extensive views all around Plymstock and Plymouth and beyond, this hill, and the road leading up to it, takes its name from the Bronze Age barrow or burial mound that sits on top of it.

Thought to be the only such tumulus within the modern city boundaries there were evidently two others nearby but these were bulldozed in the levelling out of the field some years ago. Such an earthen or stone mound was typical of the type treatment bestowed upon the remains of chieftains of the Beaker people and their descendants who arrived in this country almost 4,000 years ago.

The sites were generally very conspicuous summits located a little way away from the main settlement but usually on or near a well trodden path. Given that the old lane itself probably marks the line of the ancient route from Mount Batten to Dartmoor, Burrow Hill is thus a true text-book location.