Pillow mound near Merrivale Bridge

This pillow mound is one of several earthworks that make up Merrivale Warren, a medieval rabbit warren on the open moor north east of Merrivale Bridge. Pillow mounds are long, low ridges of earth created to provide ideal habitat for rabbits, which were valued as a food source and kept in managed warrens across medieval and post-medieval England. The mounds help retain warmth and provide shelter, whilst allowing easy burrowing.

Today the site appears as a subtle earthwork in the moorland landscape, best understood as part of the larger warren complex. It is a scheduled monument, reflecting its importance as evidence of medieval land use and resource management on Dartmoor. The warren sits within the wider patterns of human activity visible across the moor, from early settlement to tin working and agriculture.

Historic England listed designation: Pillow mound 920m north east of Merrivale Bridge, forming part of Merrivale Warren