dartmoor stone circle walk

Burnard, Robert, The Disappearing Stone Monuments of Dartmoor T.D.A. Since the days of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee when hundreds of hut circles and other monuments were excavated in a decade or so of frantic activity only a few Dartmoor monuments have been excavated. For those who wish to continue with the walk, on the blue 5-mile route, to Teignhead Farm, at the end of the plantation instead of turning left back to Batworthy simply continue up the hill in the dip between the sloped on your left and right. The walls of this structure are huge, up to 4 metres in width and 2 metres in height, with an entrance made using large slabs. Some of the sites on Dartmoor consist of settlements with nearby complexes of multiple monuments; Merrivale and Shovel Down complexes both have menhirs, stone rows and a stone circle and Drizzlecombe has impressive menhirs, stone rows and associated cairn circles. Sittaford Stone Circle - the first stone circle to be discovered on This site was excavated prior to being buried underneath the clay workings at Cholwich town. ringmoordown photos on Flickr | Flickr Prehistoric Dartmoor (David & Charles, 1974) On Dartmoor there are over 60 known stone rows, but the most impressive examples are also the most inaccessible. These are great books for anyone who enjoys a good walk, Dartmoor is one of the last wild places in the UK, and I highly recommend these books for anyone who . However, it is thought that this stone row is atypical and the bulk of Dartmoor monuments date from the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. This figure is often quoted by authors but it should be pointed out that Burl (1976) is including stone rings or cairn circles. With small stones from the barely visible above the turf to only a little over 1 metre tall. Most of this four-and-a-half-mile walk is on open moorland and sometimes the 'track' disappears and then re-appears again, but the landmarks are very prominent. Click here for more information on cookies and our Privacy Notice. Dewerstone to Ivybridge on the Dartmoor Way. Creaber moor gate in Gidleigh. Arc formed by eight stone circles (Sittaford in blue) See also: Map of Dartmoor Stone Circles. Hiking On Dartmoor | Full Video | Fernworthy Forest Circular Walk Vol. You will be able to transfer your booking to another walk. Lethbridge pp.16-18, diagram 16.Nearby sites: SX55367464, Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Scorhill Stone CircleOS Map: SX 65458 87399NMR record: SX 68 NE 26HER record: 6122Megalithic Portal: 540PMD: Scorhill Stone CircleShort Name: SC ScorhillButler map: 38.8Turner: G6DPD: 146Dimensions (m): 27.0Notes: One of the most impressive stone circles on Dartmoor and one of the few that has not been restored. Teign Gorge Walk 7. Walk Dartmoor Explorers Connect For a photo of this site, see: Megalithic Portal: Sourton Tors Stone CircleNearby sites: SX54688959, OS Map: SX 81095 83161NMR record: HER record: 102539Megalithic Portal: 24205PMD: Tottiford ReservoirShort Name: SC:TottifordDimensions (m): 25.0Notes: The Tottiford circle was discovered in 2009 when there was lower than usual levels of water in Tottiford reservoir; it featured as part of a Time Team dig in 2010. Whilst there is no indication of burials within the circles many of the circles are part of wider ceremonial complexes. 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. And sharing lessens our impact on the environment. 1014 Dartmoor Pl is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. As well as restorations the D.E.C. This is a hunter-gather period when the uplands were used as seasonal hunting grounds. It is clear that many settlements were built long after nearby stone rows, for example the enclosures known as Erme Pound Rings were built with total disregard for the Hook Lake double stone row which is partially incorporated into one of the enclosure walls19. Once crossed a small detour downstream again will lead you to the ancient Teign-e-ver Clapper Bridge, bonded together with iron straps. Rambles on Dartmoor: Moor-Walking for the Geographically Impaired The pollen records show that after the last ice age Dartmoor initially became a heath land and was becoming woodland at around 10,000 years ago (i.e. 11Newman p. 36, Bradley (1998, p. 116) Payments are refunded (less the booking fee) for cancellations no less than six weeks before your walk or experience. Vol. Scorhill and Teignhead Walk - Best Walks on Dartmoor - Great walks in Devon in a discussion about the rows on Shovel Down7. One of the stones, lying down, has some signs of an attempt to split it using the feather and tare method. It is formed by eleven stones spaced between 2.7m and 6.7m. The stone circle measures 24.8 metres in diameter and is denoted by five upright granite slabs standing up to 0.76 metres high. (The walk will finish approximately 5.00pm and lifts/taxis/minibus will be organised to take us back to the start point for approximately 5.30pm). A further six recumbent stones lie where they have fallen. See also: Legendary Dartmoor: Dartmoor's Brisworthy Circle. 323 pp55-70. Just a brief walk from the town square lay the moor . Fyfe, Ralph M. & Greeves, Tom The date and context of a stone row: Cut Hill, Dartmoor, south-west England Antiquity Vol 84, No. Before the restoration only 4 stones remained standing, a limited excavation found evidence of charcoal. Sites such as the Nine Maidens site on Belstone common are considered to be cairn circles rather than stone circles. 117 January 2014. As soon as you enter the trees the path takes you up and slightly to the right past a large moss covered rock. This leads to the lane taking you to the ruinous Manga Farm, well worth a visit. Sit by the open fire and enjoy some renowned Dartmoor . The stone rows and cairns probably came later and surround the site. 1 (1872) It is 32m in diameter consisting of recumbent stones of a similiar size to those used in the Grey Wethers. The walks featured are all based on the use of public transport, see Guide to Public Transport. A walk to Scorhill Stone Circle - YouTube 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. The site is in a small clearing in Fernworthy Forrest off the path to Teignhead Farm. Scorhill Stone Circle is now the commonly known name for Gidleigh Stone Circle or Steep Hill Stone Circle, one of Devon's biggest and most intact stone circl. Distance 10km. There are a large number of settlements consisting of "hut circles" which can be seen all over Dartmoor except on the highest moorland. Carry on down the other side of the hill along the wide grassy path until you reach a small bridge over a leat. Walk alongside the Beadon Brook valley and take in the tranquility of the stream-side woodland. Older children 16+ years are welcome if they have sufficient walking experience and fitness. The current condition of many of the Dartmoor stone circles owes much to the work of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee (D.E.C.) Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "ringmoordown" Flickr tag. The Tolmen Stone is a massive boulder lying on the bed of The River Teign. In large part this is due to the fact that excavation is an inherently destructive process and in modern times there have to be very good reasons to proceed with excavations. The Nine Stones. Payments are refunded (less the booking fee) for cancellations no less than six weeks before your walk or experience. It is located in Kissimmee. The article can be read on line here: The date and context of a stone row: Cut Hill, Dartmoor, south-west England The evidence of human activity on Dartmoor during the Mesolithic is from flint scatters around the moors, including finds on Runnage and Ringhill near Postbridge5, Langstone Moor, East Week, Batworthy and Gidleigh Common6. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. I'm not kidding when I say I experienced all the seasons during the hike to these stones. And sharing lessens our impact on the environment. Sacred Stone Circle Walk - Review of Dartmoor's Daughter, Dartmoor Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Suggested Walks Thanks to Simon Dell of Moorland Guides for this walk. Baring-Gould, Sabine, Fifth Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, T.D.A. (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. Take the left fork where the modern standing stone . Start point: Shaugh Bridge. DISTANCE: 4.5 miles (medium difficulty) Dartmoor Walk- Sheeps Tor, Down Tor, and a Pixie House Adventure. 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. Includes meditations, chanting and dowsing, silent walking, and an evening event to see the sunset. late Neolithic and early Bronze Age (to see both Cut Hill Stone Row and Whitehorse Hill Cist in relation to Grey Wethers, see Monuments within 4km of Grey Wethers or alternatively easier to see via Monuments within 4km of Quintins Man Cairn). Dartmoor Walks & Experiences - Dartmoor's Daughter In A Guide to the Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany Aubrey Burl (1995) there are 368 stone circles listed in the British Isles with 21 listed for Dartmoor, 13 of which would be considered cairn circles. It is reputed that any adult who passed through the hole would be cured of rheumatism. 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. They are known as Grey Wethers as, it is said. The two close-set NE stones display smaller packing stones in the erosion hollows at their bases. Continue up the steep hill passing a house on the right. Telegraph: Ancient stones older than Stonehenge discovered on Dartmoor and BBC: Stone row sheds new light on Dartmoor prehistoric life. Dartmoor Resource: Guide to Dartmoor Stone Circles The stone circles of the British Isles are thought to have an indigenous origin and date from around 2500 - 1300 B.C1. Breton, Hugh Beautiful Dartmoor And Its Interesting Antiquities (Forest Publishing, 1990) The walks featured are all based on the use of public transport, see Guide to Public Transport. 19Wessex Archaeology Time Team Report Appendix 2 Radiocarbon Report on Charred Hazelnut Shell p. 37 (2011) Dartmoor is also home to many ancient settlements, including the Iron Age hillfort at Grimspound and the medieval village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. The existence of groups of circles adds intrigue to the unknown purpose of stone circles. View more recently sold homes. The walk starts from the parking area at Scrohill Farm near Gidleigh. 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. 2Burl (1976) p.20-1 Dartmoor's Daughter Emma Cunis, on the maternal power of Mother Nature This is discussed in detail in the article 'Dartmoor Site: Brisworthy Stone Circle' linked above in this listing. 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! White Moor (Little Hound Tor) circle was restored in 1896. Stone Circle Walk Dartmoor's Daughter - Walks & Nature Connection Experiences on Dartmoor, Devon We use cookies to help us improve, promote, and protect our services. 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. Three of the stones are of post type and eight are upright slabs. 9Gerrard (1997) p.61 This excludes the numerous cairn circles and hut circles on Dartmoor. These prehistoric stone circles form an approximate arc. The Scorhill and Grey Wethers stone circles are some of the best preserved examples. The excavations at Fernworthy, Grey Wethers and Merrivale all produced evidence of substantial fires at the sites. 4Butler (1997) p.145 Belstone, Dartmoor Circular Walk with Dartmoor's Daughter In spite of reckless drivers and narrow hedgerows, I had made it to Chagford and breathed a sigh of relief to see the open country before me. It would seem that most of the circles are located on unenclosed open land near the boundaries of settlements. In addition three pits were also dug; "the whole of these gave the same indications of charcoal - the remnants of fires of wood; in fact, fires seem to have been kindled all over the circle, for every scoop of the pick and shovel displayed charcoal.". New Two-Day Walk in June - Dartmoor Walks This Way The archaeologists define stone circles as being sites which do not contain burials and as such are thought to be purely ritual monuments. 27-86 (1990) The Legend of Grey Wethers | Dartmoor This has some similarity with the Shovel Down Ceremonial Complex which has stone rows and a stone circle which are thought to date to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age (approx 2500-1300 B.C.). Grey Wethers had a partial excavation in 1898 which uncovered remains of charcoal. The gate is locked but there is a stile here and as you climb it you will see, ahead of you over the fields, the tower of Gidleigh Church. The Nine Stones are often referred to as a stone circle, but in truth, they're really the remains of a burial cairn. . We also recommend bringing personal masks, a pair of disposable gloves, and a personal first aid kit. Walk through an ancient and ritual landscape on Dartmoor. Scorhill Circle is arguably the most impressive stone circle having the largest stones, one of which is over 8 feet in height. 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. Lydford Gorge Walk 3. SOUTH-WEST DARTMOOR: Yellowmead circles and Cuckoo Rock 2018-04-04 15:30:28. Easily-accessible paths. 14Gerrard p.37 30 pp.97-115 (1898) My walk starts from the Pork Hill car park on the B3357, and heads for Staple Tor with its rock towers, then nearby Roos Tor and across a wild stretch of moorland to the Langstone Moor stone circle. high. SITES OF INTEREST: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Exeter to Moretonhampstead via Dunsford (Country Bus 359) runs Monday to Saturday. Diagram p.34 site 1.Nearby sites: SX56476550, OS Map: SX 64949 88481NMR record: SX 68 NW 11HER record: 4371Megalithic Portal: 724PMD: Buttern Hill Stone CircleShort Name: SC ButternHillTurner: G7DPD: 147Dimensions (m): 24.8Notes: NNE of Scorhill about 2Km. Circle consists of 30 recumbent stones and has a diameter of 32m. 4 p.71 Typically cairn circles on Dartmoor are much smaller in size with very few having diameters greater than 20 metres. Here you can pick up a footpath along the River Teign Walk and follow it south west up to the stone circle on Scorhill Down. 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. Reproduced with kind permission - copyright remains with Zoe.Nearby sites: SX81108316, Dartmoor Resource: Guide to Dartmoor Cists, Extract from Second Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, Monuments within 4km of Quintins Man Cairn, The Disappearing Stone Monuments of Dartmoor, Report on the Prehistoric Antiquities of Dartmoor, Fourth Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, Fifth Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, The date and context of a stone row: Cut Hill, Dartmoor, south-west England, Excavations at the Whitehorse Hill cist, Dartmoor, Legendary Dartmoor: Dartmoor's Brisworthy Circle, Megalithic Portal: Buttern E - Stone Circle, Megalithic Portal: Down Ridge - Stone Circle, Legendary Dartmoor: Dartmoor's Fernworthy Stone, Dartmoor Site: Grey Wethers Double Stone Circle, Dartmoor Site: Langstone Moor Stone Circle, Stone Row & Settlements. Two settlements are thought to be early Neolithic, these are found on the hilltops of White Tor and Dewerstone. 1 miles (1.8 km) This walk visits the Scorhill Stone Circle and the Wallabrook Clapper Bridge in the Teign Valley of Dartmoor . The tallest of the stones is over 8 feet high. There are great views of the site from Hookney Tor and the high ground on Hameldown. Route includes part of the Tarka Trail, ancient monuments & granite tors. Park at Batworthy Corner by the bridge to Batworthy Farm taking care not to obstruct the turning circle for the local school bus. Finish time will be approximately 6-7pm depending on our group pace and how long you want to spend in the circles. Some of the cairn circles have multiple circles, the best examples being the four-fold cairn circles at Yellowmead and Shovel Down. 15The precise date range for the Neolithic period varies according to different authors. A low rubble bank surrounds the circle which can be seen on LIDAR data. For a photo of this site, see: Megalithic Portal: Buttern E - Stone CircleNearby sites: SX64958848, OS Map: SX 65516 72084NMR record: SX 67 SE 64HER record: 6400Megalithic Portal: 863PMD: Down Ridge Stone CircleShort Name: SC DownRidgeTurner: G9DPD: 92Dimensions (m): 25.0Notes: Also known as Hexworthy Circle.