This is a memorial to the Dartmoor author, Harry Starkey. (From a safety perspective, this offers additional protection against Covid-19 if there were to be an accident and first aid is required by me or the rescue teams. 2256 Meadow Oak Cir. The path takes you steeply up and out into less dense woodland, in season bluebells carpet the area. There are two massive megaliths one of which is on the north-western part of the circle. Dewerstone Rock from the opposite valley on the Dartmoor Way. 94-114 (1979) 360 NE Hawk Cir, Waukee, IA 50263 | MLS# 666651 | Redfin This figure is often quoted by authors but it should be pointed out that Burl (1976) is including stone rings or cairn circles. Behind you are fine views away to east Devon. The East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve and Bovey Valley holds many clues and can tell many stories about our ancestors' lives in the area. Hiking Dartmoor: 8 of the Best Walks on Dartmoor Once you leave Round Pound continue north-east along the lane over the cattle grid and downhill along the wooded lane passing Brimstonedown on your left to the sharp right hand bend in the lane. Start point: Shaugh Bridge. The original survey by the Dartmoor Exploration Committee suggested that there might have originally been a secondary concentric circle consisting of elvan rather than granite stones although the evidence for this today is unclear (see Extract from the Second Report of the D.E.C. 1014 Dartmoor Pl. Inside the pound are the remains of several walls connecting between the central hut and the outer wall. Ponies of Dartmoor Dartmoor Days; Or, Scenes in the Forest: a Poem From Stone Circle Walk Dartmoor's Daughter - Walks & Nature Connection With these additions Worth's list agrees with Butler. This path is clearly leading you up to Kestor Rock. I'm not kidding when I say I experienced all the seasons during the hike to these stones. CANCELLATION: The event will go ahead come rain or shine. 9see also NMR SX 68 NE 29 It is formed by eleven stones spaced between 2.7m and 6.7m. Wray Valley Trail Lethbridge p.101, diagram p.99 and p.100.Nearby sites: SX63957319, Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Shovel Down Ceremonial ComplexOS Map: SX 65829 86196NMR record: SX 68 NE 47HER record: 29944Megalithic Portal: 1259PMD: Shovel Down Stone CircleShort Name: SC Shovel DownButler map: 36.6Turner: G15DPD: 139Dimensions (m): 16Notes: "The remains of an alleged stone circle lie on the gentle NE facing slope of Shovel Down 200m SW of Batworthy Corner. LEVEL: Strenuous - this walk requires a good level of fitness and is approximately 9 miles/14.5 km on open and hilly moorland terrain. 1 miles (1.8 km) This walk visits the Scorhill Stone Circle and the Wallabrook Clapper Bridge in the Teign Valley of Dartmoor . 15The precise date range for the Neolithic period varies according to different authors. Over Great Staple Tor. The mild hospitable climate of the Bronze Age deteriorated after a few thousand years leaving these areas uninhabited and consequently relatively undisturbed to the present day. It would not be difficult to produce accurate circular structures with a peg and a rope yet only the Scorhill, Little Hound Tor and the two Grey Wethers circles are close to being exact circles, the others having the appearance of having been laid out roughly by eye. The walk starts from the parking area at Scrohill Farm near Gidleigh. Wessex Archaeology Time Team Report: Tottiford Reservoir, Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results (2011) North-east Dartmoor: Scorhill stone circle and Kestor Rock LEVEL: Moderate - approximately 7 miles or 11 km in open and hilly moorland terrain. Haytor Quarry and Tramway: Industrial Heritage on Dartmoor HAZELL SILLVER met archaeologist Andy Crabb to find out more about these The stone circle functioned as a burial chamber, although the cairn has since been robbed and the cist - burial chamber - destroyed. 14Gerrard p.37 6Butler (1997) p.154 Also known as the Throwleigh circle. Alternative parking is sometimes available further back the road towards round pound at SX663 867 when the boulders blocking the seasonal car park are removed and the ground is hard. . There are a large number of settlements consisting of "hut circles" which can be seen all over Dartmoor except on the highest moorland. The site is a fairly accurate circle of circumference 20.2m. Mesolithic tools are very distinctive consisting of much smaller flint tools than found during the Palaeolithic. FEE: 25 per adult including taxi/minibus back to start point. The remainder of the circles are fragmentary with many of the stones either fallen or long lost as is the case for the Mardon, Buttern Hill, Down Ridge, Sherberton and the Shovel Down circles. Finish Steps Bridge. The restoration was supervised by Baring-Gould. Newman p. 26 refers to c 4000 BC - 2000 BC. There was a rapid decrease in woodland cover at this time. After visiting the stone circle retrace your steps back to the leat and small bridge and continue downhill until you reach the North Teign River at the end of the narrow fir plantation leading down from the other side of the river. Fernworthy Stone Circle Loop from Throwleigh. Hound Tor - An atmospheric Tor with the remains of a deserted Medieval Village called Hundatora close by and a number of Bronze age hut circles. This leads to the lane taking you to the ruinous Manga Farm, well worth a visit. It is thought that the earliest Mesolithic farmers used slash and burn to create temporary clearings for hunting deer and for raising crops. There are theories that they have an astronomical connection but the evidence to support this is lacking, indeed most of the circles are, much like most of the stone rows, only very roughly constructed. Go through the gate and along the footpath through the gorse bushes. This is discussed in detail in the article 'Dartmoor Site: Brisworthy Stone Circle' linked above in this listing. The churchyard is one of the few in Britain which has a stream running through it with a small bridge leading to a convenient seat, which has fine views of the nearby Gidleigh Castle ruins, on private land next to the Church. The path takes you through the woods to an open clearing and vehicle turning area where the footpath sign indicates your way to a lane under some large Beech trees. I haven't It is located 1km from the Grey Wethers and remarkably extends the arc pattern bringing the total to 8 stone circles in the apparent arc (see diagram above and Map of Dartmoor Stone Circles - Sittaford circle marked in blue). RISK: Walks and activities are at your own risk. Hound Tor Walk 8. This could be by design or it could be a coincidence given the wide range of orientations of Dartmoor stone rows. Bate, C Spence, On the Prehistoric Antiquities of Dartmoor, T.D.A. The Dartmoor stone circles are mostly of a similar local character and do not include characteristics such as central pillars found in some of the circles in Cornwall such as Boscawen-Un. In contrast the nearly complete Fernworthy circle consists of 27 stones averaging just over 0.5m in height with the largest being 1.1m tall. Grimspound | English Heritage Dartmoor stone circles - Review of Dartmoor's Daughter, Dartmoor Down Ridge (Hexworthy) was partially excavated in 1904 with charcoal being found "strewn on the floor". 9Gerrard (1997) p.61 Some of the cairn circles have multiple circles, the best examples being the four-fold cairn circles at Yellowmead and Shovel Down. Only 34 stones remain of the original 65, and only 25 of those are standing . Here we'll spend a short period of time in silence exploring the circle and then talk about the various archaeological and phenomenological theories of circles. high. It is about 1km from the Grey Wethers which are to the ENE. Great for any fitness level. The examples of cairn circles mentioned here are those that have commonly been referred to as stone circles and represent the more substantial monuments, there are over 13012 cairns with retaining circles the vast majority of which are less than 10m in diameter (see Cairn Circles). With such lack of precision in their construction it would seem most unlikely that they had an astronomical purpose. White Tor Walk 6. Fine examples include the Erme or Stall Moor Circle, The Pulpit (Trowlesworthy Warren E.), the Down Tor Circle (Hingston Hill) and the Ringmoor Down cairn circle and the Hartor cairn circle. Book the best deals of hotels to stay close to Fernworthy Stone Circle with the lowest price guaranteed by Trip.com! The circles were restored in 1909 by Burnard. Turner, J.R., Ring Cairns, stone circles and related monuments on Dartmoor, D.A.S.P. At a point opposite the end of the plantation is found the Tolmen Stone. 2018-04-04 15:30:28. The singular feature of this outer circle is that the three stones are of a fine elvan, entirely different from the nature of the stones in the inner circle, with the exception of one, which also is of elvan.". But it was worth it. By continuing to use the site, you agree to cookies being used. Wistman's Wood Walk 2. The sites featured are archaeological treasures and most are protected by the law, please treat these sites with respect! A piece of Homo sapien upper jaw disovered in 1927 was recently dated to a short interglacial period around 44,200 and 41,500 years ago2. Sacred Crescent Walk - 8 Stone Circles in a day Dartmoor's Daughter - Walks & Nature Connection Experiences on Dartmoor, Devon We use cookies to help us improve, promote, and protect our services. The 8 stone circles form an approximate arc so, taking an archaeological as well as phenomenological approach, we will journey together - sometimes in silence and sometimes sharing our experiences - through this wild and beautiful landscape asking questions of the ancestors, stones, and land along the way. Belstone is an attractive village on the northern fringe of Dartmoor National Park. Barn Hill/Pork Hill car park. Distance 10km. They started to use stone building materials for their settlements and monuments. And sharing lessens our impact on the environment. 17Baring-Gould Fifth Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, T.D.A. Take the left fork where the modern standing stone . The White Moor stone lies 160m to the SE of the circle and it is thought to be contemporary with the circle but probably out of position having been re-erected at some point. Walking on Dartmoor Explore the beauty of the moors There are lots of ways to explore and enjoy Devon and Dartmoor, whether on foot, by bike or on the back of a horse; but by far the most popular is by walking. There are 15 stone circles included in the Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks database, click here to skip to the listings with links to further coverage and photos. Sittaford Stone Circle - the first stone circle to be discovered on 4Butler (1997) p.145 Head back round Batworthy Corner to take a look at the Round Pound. Many of these monuments appear to be associated with nearby settlements and with burial sites. MARIGOLD AVE AND STEPPING STONE BLVD. You could then either go down to Chagford (and get the bus back to exeter) or carry on further. The restoration of some of the Dartmoor monuments became controversial but there can be no doubt that these efforts helped to rescue these monuments from further neglect and despoliation. The stones on the left are small and indistinct but on your right youll notice four of them in the path leading to your right. The only stone circle to be excavated since the days of the D.E.C is the Tottiford stone circle which is normally submerged under Tottiford reservoir. Kljune rijei: Summit Or Nothing, Gidleigh, Kestor Rock, Dartmoor Walks, Hiking on Dartmoor, dartmoor walk, scorhill stone circle, kestor rock dartmoor, dartmoor hike, summit or nothing dartmoor, short dartmoor walk, dartmoor walks, walking on dartmoor, dartmoor national park, short walks on dartmoor, north dartmoor The site is in a small clearing in Fernworthy Forrest off the path to Teignhead Farm. Walk: Belstone to Hangingstone Hill - Dartmooraccomodation Some of the stone rows and stone circles are also thought to date from the late Neolithic although most are from the early Bronze Age. The Manor of Gidleigh was owned by the Prouz family from the 13th Century until the 16th Century and it was William de Prouz who built the fortified Manor House, now known as Gidleigh Castle, in about 1324. +44 (0) 7817 [email protected] up to our newsletter here, Navigation Skills for Beginners (or Refresher), The King Way Walk - Dartmoor Walking Festival. The Dartmoor stone circles are around 20-40 metres in diameter and typically consist of small stones enclosing a flat interior located on very gently inclined slopes. We will stop and spend time at each stone circle depending on our group pace. The lane follows the woods on your left and open farmland on your right until you reach a gateway leading out onto a tarmac lane. Walk through meadows, woodland and moorland, and take in the fascinating cultural heritage of ancient stone cairns, Bronze Age hut circles and submerged clapper bridges, while enjoying beautiful lakeside views. to 0.5m. - The Second Millennium B.C. Dartmoor has long been known for the richness of its prehistoric heritage; stone circles, hut circles, massive burial cairns, and stone rows all pepper the landscape. A low rubble bank surrounds the circle which can be seen on LIDAR data. No liability accepted for accidents or incidents. The original circle appears to have been c. 30m across, although no stones appear to the west of the old wall. Lethbridge p14, diagram p13.Nearby sites: SX55647820, Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Little Hound Tor Stone CircleOS Map: SX 63285 89611NMR record: SX 68 NW 2HER record: 4374Megalithic Portal: 528PMD: White Moor Stone CircleShort Name: SC White MoorTurner: G11DPD: 154Dimensions (m): 20.2Notes: The circle is in good condition today but only 13 stones remained standing when the Dartmoor Exploration Committee re-erected 5 of the stones in 1896. Walk Dartmoor Explorers Connect Today only 3 stones remain intact with 10 having been destroyed and the rest overturned during World War Two. An excavation trench was dug right across the circle and was found "strewn with small pieces of wood charcoal". 4 Beds. These are thought to mostly date from the Bronze Age although it is thought that some could be late Neolithic or built on earlier Neolithic sites. Butler suggests it probably originally consisted of around 61 stones many of which are probably buried under the peat where they originally fell although some have no doubt been robbed out.Nearby sites: SX76768720, Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Merrivale Ceremonial Complex [Photo Set 2]OS Map: SX 55361 74641NMR record: SX 57 SE 8HER record: 4998Megalithic Portal: 116PMD: Merrivale Stone CircleShort Name: SC MerrivaleTurner: G14DPD: 17Dimensions (m): 18.6 x 20.2Notes: "A stone circle with a diameter of 20.0m. 537 views, 53 likes, 9 loves, 4 comments, 3 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Dartmoor Magazine: A deserted Scorhill stone circle on #Dartmoor, visited on a great 10-mile circular walk today. Consider visiting the reservoir which has some nice bits, then head north to Walla brook which has an interesting stone with a hole in it (50.66798440203852, -3.9058846436762638) and another stone circle. For example, another recent excavation in August 2011 of a cist at Whitehorse Hill, just over 3km north-west of Grey Wethers, results in an estimated "date between the 19th and 17th century BC"23 which fits in more with the generally accepted time frame of Dartmoor monuments i.e. National Grid Reference: SX5329 7512. These are thought to have been used as places of ritual or burial, and the largest of these is the Bronze Age stone circle at Merrivale. Clifford Bridge. The best known of many prehistoric settlements on Dartmoor, Grimspound dates from the late Bronze Age (about 1450-700 BC). Group size is limited so pre-booking is essential. Grid Ref: SX663868Nearest postcode is TQ138ET but Sat Nav is unlikely to get you to the exact location (it usually stops about 3/4 mile before the meeting point near the hamlet of Teigncombe) so please follow the directions which will be emailed to participants. Hazel, oak and elm appear in the pollen record and by 7000 BC most of Dartmoor is wooded up to tree line at around 1500ft (460 metres) 10 and remained relatively undisturbed woodland until about 5000 BC. Leave nothing of value in your vehicle to tempt any opportunist thieves. (2010). The Six Stone Circles Circular Walk, or the Fernworthy Stone Circle, The Grey Wethers Stone Circles, Sittaford Stone Circle, White Moor Stone Circle, Buttern Hill Stone Circle and Scorhill Stone Circle Circular Walk, is a big yomp on Dartmoor's north plateau. The circle is not the largest in terms of diameter but it is the most striking circle on Dartmoor with some of the largest standing stones. Fascinating Fact: Widecombe-in-the-Moor was a location used during the filming of Steven Spielberg's epic war drama War Horse. This would suggest Dartmoor was first exploited by humans in the Lower Palaeolithic although the evidence is weak. At this time there was a rapid period of deforestation and grasses and bracken appear in the pollen records indicating a period of deforestation at the tree line. Worth (1953) lists 11 circles but this was prior to the discovery of the Sourton Tors circle in 1966 and does not include Mardon (perhaps not considered on the moor) or Shovel Down although he does refer to it as a "stone circle?" Our circular route includes majestic tors with 360 degree views of moor and ocean, the ruins of a Bronze Age settlement, ancient stone row and burial chambers. What do Dartmoor's array of stone circles mean and how were they built Gerrard (1997) states there are 18 circles which is 4 more than Butler although he includes the 4-fold cairn circles at Yellowmead and Shoveldown and two other smaller circles which presumably would now be considered to be cairn circles. Baring-Gould in his A Book of Dartmoor (pp.53-55) published in 1900 gives a catalogue of sites that had been severely robbed in living memory. +44 (0) 7817 [email protected] up to our newsletter here, Fungal Foray - Beginners (morning session). It is thought that the reconstruction is fairly accurate. Many of the monumental sites on Dartmoor were partially or totally reconstructed by the Dartmoor Preservation Committee in the early twentieth century. I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor.Steven Spielberg. 7Worth (1953) On Shoveldown see p. 221, on stone circles see pp.248-264 It is possible that these stones constitute the remains of a stone circle however, no such feature is noted in the antiquarian records so it must remain a doubtful site". Burnard, Robert, Dartmoor Pictorial Records Vol. (Red route) Over Shovel Down to Manga Farm and Teignhead Farm ruins and return via Kestor Rock to Batworthy Corner. Newman (2011) refers to 12 circles with "some other doubtful examples" (presumably Shovel Down being considered a doubtful circle). Grey Wethers had a partial excavation in 1898 which uncovered remains of charcoal. We need to retain contact details for 21 days post-walk so please include your contact details (email and mobile/telephone when booking/paying.). A micro-expedition of the very best of Dartmoor. Gutter Tor 4. 4 p.71 They are not for astronomical observation. It is 20m in diameter and consists of 27 small stones. The largest by diameter are the Mardon Down stone circle (38.2 m) and the Grey Wethers (North 32.2 & South 33.6), the smallest are the Shovel Down (17.7 m) and Merrivale (19 m) circles. Arc formed by eight stone circles (Sittaford in blue) See also: Map of Dartmoor Stone Circles. 10White p. 4 It consists of a large internal hut circle about 12metres in diameter with an oval shaped pound around the outside. Eogan, George & Simmons, J.G. Rising like lonesome watchtowers, these distinctive landmarks are the goal of popular walks. Walk back along the lane you have just come along for about 400 metres with views to your right of Kes Tor Rock and over the valley to your left to Scorhill Down which you will be walking over a little later on your walk. Fleming, Andrew The Dartmoor Reaves (Batsford, 1988) They found that the interior of the circle was covered in a layer of charcoal suggesting that it had been the scene of very many fires - perhaps funeral pyres or feasts. 25The most convincing evidence for an astronomical alignment at a Dartmoor stone row is at Down Tor (Hingstone Hill). Photo by Zoe Lester taken on 04/09/22. SITES OF INTEREST: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Exeter to Moretonhampstead via Dunsford (Country Bus 359) runs Monday to Saturday. Curiously the stones of Fernworthy appear to be graded by height with the taller stones in the south of the circle. The two close-set NE stones display smaller packing stones in the erosion hollows at their bases. The Buttern Hill and Tottiford circles are in valleys where as the Mardon circle is on the summit of a large hill. LEVEL: Strenuous. 2Burl (1976) p.20-1 The slight differences between the two circles could even be a result of the restoration. The circle is marked on Ordnance Survey . Langstone circle was another impressive restored site until it was badly damaged by troops stationed nearby who used it for target practise during the Second World War. White Moor (Little Hound Tor) circle was restored in 1896. Circle consists of 30 recumbent stones and has a diameter of 32m. Click here for more information on cookies and our Privacy Notice. The third stone is partly obscured by the bank of the South Hill Leat (SX 68 SW 97). There are a number of monuments on Dartmoor that are often referred to by authors as stone circles but are not strictly categorised as stone circles. Sale, Richard Dartmoor the Official National Park Guide (Pevensey Press, 2000) Dartmoor Stone Circles - Virtual Tour - Dartmoor's Daughter The stone circle measures 24.8 metres in diameter and is denoted by five upright granite slabs standing up to 0.76 metres high. At the next T Junction at the grassy triangle turn left signposted to Creaber and Scorhill, passing Greenaway Farm on your left, continuing up the hill and ignoring the left junction to Creaber, but instead continuing up the hill in the Scorhill direction. The existence of groups of circles adds intrigue to the unknown purpose of stone circles. Yes Tor And High Willhays Walk 9. Venford Reservoir and Bench Tor Walk 10. In terms of funerary practise it should be pointed out that cists often have cremation remains and they are widely distributed, often very distant from stone circles, although they could reflect later cultural practise. The Legend of Grey Wethers | Dartmoor This gateway affords panoramic views across the valley to Kestor Rock. The circles are separated by a few meters and are almost identical. At Langstone: "Outside this circle appear to have been another concentric with it; of this, however, only two stones remain in situ, but the pit hole of another, and the broken top of the stone taken from it remain. Dartmoor's Best Prehistoric Sites | Moorland View Cottage Welcome to Dartmoor walks Get to know Dartmoor's towns and villages and learn about the landscape and rich history of the surrounding areas with this series of introductory walking routes.. Route is dependent on weather conditions and group pace. measured from northeast to southwest and 18.0m from northwest to southeast. Worth, although not confirmed since, there was "a small cairn between five and six yards in from the southern edge" and also there is a companion circle a short distance on the slope westward, 60 feet in diameter consisting of four stones with a possible large central pillar, see T.D.A. Ancient Stone Row From the stone circle continue to walk uphill you will come to the first double stone row. Haytor is the most famous of these rocks. 18See, Emmett, D.D., Stone rows: the traditional view reconsidered, D.A.S.P. . Nearest public toilets are Princetown Visitors Centre. Six Stone Circles Circular Walk, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park Once over the bridge you enter an oak wood where many of the trees have ferns growing out of their boughs. DNP Post 3D.Nearby sites: SX65498413, Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Grey Wethers Double Stone CircleOS Map: SX 63875 83161NMR record: SX 68 SW 1HER record: 6758Megalithic Portal: 532PMD: Grey Wethers Stone CirclesShort Name: SC Grey Weth NTurner: G4DPD: 134Dimensions (m): 31.5Nearby sites: SX63888316, Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Grey Wethers Double Stone CircleOS Map: SX 63874 83121NMR record: SX 68 SW 1HER record: 6759Megalithic Portal: 532PMD: Grey Wethers Stone CirclesShort Name: SC Grey Weth STurner: G2DPD: 134Dimensions (m): 33.0Notes: This site is one of the most impressive on Dartmoor. Chambered tombs (or their remains) such as those at Corringdon Ball, Cuckoo Ball and Spinsters Rock (near Drewsteignton) are from this period12. These rows, some of which have little cairn-circles at their higher ends, are still an enigma: no one knows for sure why they were built. 29 pp.145-65 (1897) Route is dependent on weather conditions and group pace. After crossing the Manga clapper bridge carry on up the slope using the well-worn footpath up to the gateway in the wall on your right. Clearly many, if not most, of settlement remains that can be seen today post date the stone rows but it is possible that many of these were built on sites or in localities which had been occupied for generations or even millenia before hand. Lethbridge p.34-35. This is a g. The Dartmoor Walks website suggests a few walks for those interested in visiting the ancient settlements and antiquities such as stone rows and stone circles on Dartmoor. (1964) 6.20 km. RISK: Walks and activities are at your own risk. Socket holes were found at Merrivale: "The outlying stone to the east of the circle and the two 0.3m deep pits survive in situ; they may represent the remains of a second, concentric, stone circle". Langstone Moor stone circle was restored in 1894. Older children 16+ years are welcome if they have sufficient walking experience and fitness. Buy Searching For Stone Circles: On Dartmoor (North) by B, Miss Helen Louise (ISBN: 9798576157488) from Amazon's Book Store. 10Butler (1997) p.145 Petit (1974) refers to 12 circles (his list presumably excluding Shovel Down & Mardon). Parking is limited on Dartmoor. Merrivale circle was excavated in 1871 by Spence Bate. 20Newman (2011) p.25, Gerrard (1997) p.24 Apparently "wether" is an old English name for sheep and legend has it that a drunken farmer leaving the Warren House Inn was persuaded that the Grey Wethers were a desirable flock for sale! Continue down the hill to Gidleigh Cross junction where there is a welcome seat by the grassy triangle at SX672 883.