Chains (geological site)
{{Short description|North-west plateau of Somerset, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
File:One of many small ponds on the Chains plateau (geograph 5034001).jpg
The Chains is the name given to the north-west plateau of Exmoor, Somerset, England. This plateau lies above the {{convert|1500|ft|m|0}} contour line, and includes the source of the River Barle.
It lies roughly within a triangle of land between Simonsbath, Challacombe and Lynton and has few distinguishing features. The highest point is at Chains Barrow - {{convert|1599|ft|m|0}}.
It is a Geological Conservation Review site,{{cite web|title=The Chains (Quaternary of South-West England)|url=http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=4174&gcr=2020|publisher=Joint Nature Conservation Committee|accessdate=17 November 2013}} recognised as being nationally important for its south-western lowland heath communities and for transitions from ancient semi-natural woodland through upland heath to blanket mire. The Chains provides a palynological record of a mid to late Flandrian vegetation history on Exmoor. The pollen sequence in the peat is calibrated by radiocarbon dating.{{cite web|title=North Exmoor |work=English Nature |url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1006541.pdf |access-date=2006-08-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013121549/http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1006541.pdf |archive-date=2006-10-13 |df= }}
On the Chains above Simonsbath is a {{convert|3|acre|ha}} reservoir known as Pinkery Pond. It was formed by John Knight and his son in the 19th century by damming the River Barle. The pond was originally intended to be {{convert|7|acre|ha}}. Its purpose is unknown though likely to be part of a failed irrigation scheme. Close to the pond are the remains of a small canal which would support the irrigation theory.{{cite book|last=Warren|first=Derrick|title=Curious Somerset|year=2005|publisher=Sutton Publishing|location=Stroud|isbn=978-0-7509-4057-3|pages=107–108}}
Long Chains Combe is the site of several standing stones which have been designated as scheduled monuments.{{NHLE|desc=Long Chains Combe North: a stone setting 120m WNW of the sheepfold|num=1014280|accessdate=30 December 2014}}{{NHLE|desc=Long Chains Combe South: two standing stones 380m south west of the sheepfold|num=1014279|accessdate=30 December 2014}}