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. The tallest of the stones is over 8 feet high. Haytor is the most famous of these rocks. 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. 9Gerrard (1997) p.61 Butler suggests that they are "apparently in a planned configuration".5. Stones of England - Merrivale stone rows - Stone Pages around 8000 BC). It is 20m in diameter and consists of 27 small stones. It's a double stone row separated by a leat which is 263 metres long. Tap/mouse over a coloured circle (1-3 easy walks, 4-6 moderate walks, 7-9 hard walks) and click to select. Day 1 - Saturday 9th June : We will meet at Peartree, Ashburton at 9 am and carshare, or you have the . The description of the route promises to . Many of the stone rows on Dartmoor lead to a cairn circle and not all of these obviously include a cairn, again these are not considered to be proper stone circles. Book the best deals of hotels to stay close to Fernworthy Stone Circle with the lowest price guaranteed by Trip.com! Vol. Flint tools found recently in Norfolk show that there were humans there around 900,000 years ago1. Parking is limited on Dartmoor. White Moor (Little Hound Tor) circle was restored in 1896. The stone circle was partially excavated in 1904 by the Dartmoor Exploration Committee and their work revealed the original ground surface covered with charcoal. The excavations at Fernworthy, Grey Wethers and Merrivale all produced evidence of substantial fires at the sites. Summit or Nothing) | Gidleigh To Kestor Rock (Dartmoor Walk By continuing to use the site, you agree to cookies being used. LEVEL: Moderate - approximately 7 miles or 11 km in open and hilly moorland terrain. Directions will be forwarded closer to the date. Finish time will be approximately 6-7pm depending on our group pace and how long you want to spend in the circles. It is interesting to note that 7 (now 8, see below) of these stone circles form an arc, or crescent, with each site separated by around 2 kilometres, they are; Grey Wethers (2 circles), Fernworthy, Shovel Down, Scorhill, Buttern Hill and Little Hound Tor (White Moor). The first humans came out of Africa 2 million years ago. 2256 Meadow Oak Cir is a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. The walk is divided into six stages and is signed en route, apart from on the moorland itself, where the tramway is still visible and therefore self-evident. The climate on the moor can be unforgiving, so the centre of the site is often flooded and boggy. 2See: Guardian: Humans ventured as far as Torquay more than 40,000 years ago and Nature: The earliest evidence for anatomically modern humans in northwestern Europe Whilst stone circles are not unique to the British Isles the examples in the rest of Europe are typically later and smaller and usually surround burial mounds, the exception being stone circles in Brittany which are similar to those found in the south-west peninsular of England and probably have the same cultural roots2. 1. These early farmers are thought to have used wooden shelters and no evidence remains of their settlements. Hiking to its summit offers unforgettable views and a rewarding king-of-the-mountain feeling. No. Pettit, Paul. Tough Dartmoor walk that needs careful navigation. 63-4 (also picture of restored Langstone circle as frontispiece) Cosdon Hill & Oke Tor from Belstone - Dartmoor Walk - Walking Britain (Devon Books, 1997) Pub Walks on Dartmoor | Food & Drink | Toad Hall Cottages Popular Dartmoor circular walks include the wonderful climb to High Willhays, the highest point in the national park. Summer like heat to freezing snow. This excludes the numerous cairn circles and hut circles on Dartmoor. Mesolithic tools are very distinctive consisting of much smaller flint tools than found during the Palaeolithic. 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. Thank you. This is a g. In 2012 tin beads were discovered when the Whitehorse Hill cist was excavated which perhaps for the first time gives an indication of tin working on Dartmoor during the Bronze Age16. The Nine Maidens . Use the menu above or the walks bar on the right to navigate around the site. In the case of Shovel Down the excavation of the nearby Roundy Pound showed evidence of iron working and the extensive reave and field system in the area between Shovel Down and Kestor would suggest the area was occupied during the late Bronze Age and through to the Iron Age.21, Whilst specific dating evidence of Dartmoor Stone Circles is lacking there is evidence from other archaeological excavations which might throw some light on the context of the stone circles. +44 (0) 7817 [email protected] up to our newsletter here, Navigation Skills for Beginners (or Refresher), The King Way Walk - Dartmoor Walking Festival. Reaves cover vast expanses and were very carefully planned and constructed. 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. It has a hole through it, eroded by the force of the river. During successive inter-glacial periods humans returned. The County Gazetteer for Devon (p.344-5) includes 40 stone rings on Dartmoor most of which are cairn circles. Many of these monuments appear to be associated with nearby settlements and with burial sites. Typically cairn circles on Dartmoor are much smaller in size with very few having diameters greater than 20 metres. Park in the carpark opposite Belstone Village Hall - marked 'P' on the OS map at SX621938. Once you have visited the Tree Boys stone you carry on up to Kestor Rock where on the summit you will find an example of one of the finest Rock Basins (or Pans) on Dartmoor. 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. So far we do not even have accurate dating evidence for these monuments although it seems that they are from the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. These areas would rapidly become infertile and would be abandoned to re-grow. It had only 4 stones standing and 3 prostrate, the remainder having been removed by new-take wall builders. The path leads you to the left side of the drift lane and to the left wall corner as you go out onto the moors. Sleepy spot on the edge of Dartmoor. Perfect. 5 Dartmoor Stone Circles You Should Visit Just a brief walk from the town square lay the moor . Gutter Tor 4. 86 (1953) The site is in a small clearing in Fernworthy Forrest off the path to Teignhead Farm. A moderate walk with one steep hill taking in woodland, ancient ruins and scenic views Distance: nearly 5 miles (over moorland and road, one . HAZELL SILLVER met archaeologist Andy Crabb to find out more about these Pettit, Paul Prehistoric Dartmoor (David & Charles, 1974) 17Baring-Gould Fifth Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, T.D.A. 8Burl p344-5 & Turner pp.80-2 You then come across two gates on the left, the higher of which also has the old style five bar slots, and at the top of the hill at the right hand bend there is another gateway on the left with similar slotted posts. . The stone rows and cairns probably came later and surround the site. Curiously the stones of Fernworthy appear to be graded by height with the taller stones in the south of the circle. It was actually discovered back in 2007 by Alan Endacott, but the hard work of unearthing the stones (by the Dartmoor Preservation Association volunteers) was carried out in April 2015. BC at 95.4% probability).19 There is no dating evidence for the stone circle itself and it seems most likely that the stone circle and stone rows were built much later in the Neolithic on a site that had been in use much earlier in the late Mesolithic. Lethbridge p.34-35. 24Eogan, George & Simmons, J.G. 8see also NMR SX 68 NE 63 No liability accepted for accidents or incidents. DISTANCE: 4.5 miles (medium difficulty) 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. Butler points out that reaves constructed later near the circles seemed to make deliberate deviations in their course to ensure that the circles were not included in enclosed land such as at Scorhill and perhaps at Fernworthy (the reave at Fernworthy has been destroyed but the projected path excludes the circle), only the "Grey Wethers pair, Langstone Moor and Little Hound Tor are located some distance from settled areas".26. There are stone rows and cairns close to the Fernworthy, Merrivale, Shovel Down and Tottiford circles. The excavation of a stone alignment and circle at Cholwichtown, Lee Moor, Devonshire, England Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society Volume 30 pp.25-38 (1964) Venford Reservoir and Bench Tor Walk 10. On Dartmoor there are over 60 known stone rows, but the most impressive examples are also the most inaccessible. The Scorhill, Brisworthy circles are located near rivers but others such as the Mardon circle are nowhere near a river. They are not for astronomical observation. Dartmoor stone circles range in size from less than 20 metres to almost 40 metres diameter. 3Gerrard p.24, Worth p359, see also NMR SX 66 NE 44 Behind you are fine views away to east Devon. Merrivale circle was excavated in 1871 by Spence Bate. Older children 16+ years are welcome if they have sufficient walking experience and fitness. Clifford Bridge. It takes place on the weekend of 9 and 10 June. 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. After Kestor Rock the route back to Batworthy Corner and your vehicle is down a well-worn path over the grassy slopes. Dartmoor sits upon a granite plateau, and occasionally bare granite "peaks" (called tors) break through the heather. Marked with a Blue P on the OS map, this is on B3357 opposite Cox Tor and between Moorshop and Merrivale. The stone circle measures 24.8 metres in diameter and is denoted by five upright granite slabs standing up to 0.76 metres high. 4Newman p.24 "Nine of the original stones are still standing, plus one larger stone which is incorporated in the remains of the old wall which bisects the western extremity of the circle. Click here to view our full cancellation Policy. The Stone Age is seen as spanning the Palaeolithic, the Mesolithic and the early Neolithic periods. Butler (1997) states that there are "thirteen fairly certain stone circles on the Moor"6 and includes a table listing 14 (this of course being prior to the discovery of the Tottiford circle). 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. 16Baring-Gould, Fourth Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, T.D.A. What do Dartmoor's array of stone circles mean and how were they built These prehistoric stone circles form an approximate arc. Two cart tracks run right through the ring, making its appearance even more impressive. Join us for a stunning walk to Langstone Moor stone circle. Without a doubt the most impressive stone circle on Dartmoor. Gerrard, Sandy Dartmoor (Batsford & English Heritage, 1997) Planning a solo hiking trip : r/dartmoor It would seem that most major prehistoric settlements on Dartmoor would have had their own monuments just as most villages in the historic period would have a local church, a centre for religious, ceremonial and social gatherings. This path is clearly leading you up to Kestor Rock. Grey Wethers had a partial excavation in 1898 which uncovered remains of charcoal. from the northeast side and 0.3m high, is angled towards the circle and may be quite unassociated". Dartmoor sits upon a granite plateau, and occasionally bare granite "peaks" (called tors) break through the heather. Photo: Emily Woodhouse. This is a hunter-gather period when the uplands were used as seasonal hunting grounds. It is 32m in diameter consisting of recumbent stones of a similiar size to those used in the Grey Wethers. 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 early Stone Age hunter-gather period, the Palaeolithic, encompasses around 99% of human history. Dartmoor stone circles - Review of Dartmoor's Daughter, Dartmoor Fox, A Excavations at KestorT.D.A Vol. The longest stone row on Dartmoor, with the rugged rocks leading walkers for 500m up the steady rise of Stalldown Hill, and ascending in height till they reach 2.5 metres. 6Newman p.25, Gerrard p.24 We will stop and spend time at each stone circle (as well as the Whitehorse Hill burial chamber of the Bronze Age Tin Priestess/Princess) for anywhere between 10-20 minutes each depending on our pace. We have found that circular walks are the most well-loved, so here we have a large number for you to choose from! which was formed by the Devonshire Association in 1893. It is on the same arc as the previously known circles in northeastern Dartmoor.Nearby sites: SX63028281, OS Map: SX 54683 89587NMR record: SX 58 NW 21HER record: 4626Megalithic Portal: 3472PMD: Sourton (Corn Ridge) Stone CircleShort Name: SC SourtonTorsTurner: G3Dimensions (m): 32.0Notes: "A stone circle, diameter about 110 ft and appearing to have comprised 32 stones of which all but six remain where they have fallen, has been discovered between Sourton Tors and Cornridge. The circles are separated by a few meters and are almost identical. The lads of . Hiking Dartmoor: 8 of the Best Walks on Dartmoor Worth, R.H. Worth's Dartmoor (David & Charles, 1971), For a more comprehensive listing of books on Dartmoor including links to versions available online see Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks Resource: Books, First humans arrived in Britain 250,000 years earlier than thought, Guardian: Humans ventured as far as Torquay more than 40,000 years ago, Nature: The earliest evidence for anatomically modern humans in northwestern Europe, Telegraph: Ancient stones older than Stonehenge discovered on Dartmoor, BBC: Stone row sheds new light on Dartmoor prehistoric life, Dartmoor tomb treasure horde uncovered by archaeologists, Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks Resource: Books, Ringmoor, Brisworthy Circle and Legis Pound. Lethbridge pp.139-145, diagram p.139.Nearby sites: SX65838620, OS Map: SX 63017 82814NMR record: HER record: 110432Megalithic Portal: 35327PMD: Sittaford TorShort Name: SC SittafordDimensions (m): 34.0Notes: Discovered by Alan Endacott in 2007 as described in Devon Archaeological Society Newsletter No. A further six recumbent stones lie where they have fallen. 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. See The Disappearing Stone Monuments of Dartmoor T.D.A. 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. Taking an archaeological as well as phenomenological . 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. Gerrard, Sandy, English Heritage Book of Dartmoor: Landscapes Through Time, (1997) Once you have left the bridge continue to the large footpath ahead and turn right with Holly trees and Rhododendrons lining the way. Dewerstone Rock from the opposite valley on the Dartmoor Way. There are many great guides to walking on Dartmoor, many include descriptions of these sites, but it is difficult to find guides specifically for those wanting to visit these sites. Stringer, Chris Homo Britannicus - The Incredible Story of Human Life in Britain (Penguin, 2006) This home is currently off market - it last sold on December 12, 2002 for $410,000. Near the base of the Tor you will see a stone circle or cairn erected to surround a round burial barrow from the Bronze Age, or kistvaen, as they are named on Dartmoor. An associated outlying standing stone is located 85 meters south-east of the stone circle and survives as a triangular shaped block up to 0.86 meters high." The walk starts from the parking area at Scrohill Farm near Gidleigh. 14Gerrard p.37 Around 1 million years ago Britain was connected to the continent and the first humans arrived in Britain. 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. If you cancel after the six weeks, we would advise you please try to resell/pass on your ticket and/or we can try to re-sell your ticket (we sometimes have a waitlist although there is no guarantee) we can then offer a credit note for the ticket price (minus the 1 booking fee and minus a 5 admin fee). National Grid Reference: SX5329 7512. (2010). 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). You come to a second wall leading from the forest on the left, and there is a gate and stile to use in crossing it. There are many double and a few triple stone rows on Dartmoor. 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. Dartmoor is also home to many ancient settlements, including the Iron Age hillfort at Grimspound and the medieval village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Hemery, Eric High Dartmoor (Robert Hale, 1983) This gateway affords panoramic views across the valley to Kestor Rock. Walk alongside the Beadon Brook valley and take in the tranquility of the stream-side woodland. Walk: Belstone, Dartmoor | Countryfile.com Vol. At sunrise around the summer solstice the shadows of the stones leading to the cairn circle are cast back from one stone to the next along the length of the row. 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 . The circle was excavated by the Dartmoor Exploration Committee in 1897. Basic route: (Blue route: 10-mile route) Into the valley of the River Taw following the river upstream to Hangingstone Hill and return along the Oke Tor to Belstone Tor ridge. This would suggest the figure for "true" stone circles is considerably smaller. This year's two-day walk is an almost entirely new route, this time going from north to south and covering some of the most interesting and atmospheric parts of the moor. The Merrivale circle consists of 11 stones which are smaller than those at Fernworthy. It's believed that there may have been around 40 stones here once, but now only 16 remain. Two cart tracks run right through the ring, making its appearance even more impressive. "The remains of a Bronze Age stone circle situated on level ground overlooking the valley of the North Teign River and Whitemoor Marsh. Scorhill Circle is arguably the most impressive stone circle having the largest stones, one of which is over 8 feet in height. See also: Legendary Dartmoor: Dartmoor's Brisworthy Circle. Once you have reached the point where a second stone row joins the main row your turn westwards and across the open Shovel Down to take a look at the extensive ruins of the mediaeval settlement remains. 15Burnard (1894) pp. Dartmoor Walk: Shovel Down and Scorhill Scorhill Stone Circle. And sharing lessens our impact on the environment. Click here for more information on cookies and our Privacy Notice. WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Sturdy hiking boots with gaiters if you have them (there are two wet/boggy areas to walk through); plenty of warm layers including hat and gloves; waterproof jacket and trousers (whatever the forecast); drinks/hot flask, snacks, picnic lunch; and head torch.Dogs - By arrangement only please. (Blue route) Into the valley of the North Teign River to Gidleigh then to Scorhill Down and the Tolmen Stone and back to Batworthy Corner. 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 Palaeolithic (c. 350000 - 10000 BC) is essentially the "old" Stone Age and can be roughly described as a hunter-gather period of development with more than one Homo species. Hiking to its summit offers unforgettable views and a rewarding king-of-the-mountain feeling. This is a memorial to the Dartmoor author, Harry Starkey. Dartmoors Daughter has received the Were Good to Go Industry Standard Certificate. There are 15 (known) stone circles on Dartmoor, and several other possibilities that are currently being investigated. Before You Go. 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. 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. 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. These are all under a metre in height, and the ring measures about 8 metres in diameter. - The Second Millennium B.C. Ancient Stone Row From the stone circle continue to walk uphill you will come to the first double stone row. The Neolithic period (c. 4500 - 2300 BC)15 is defined as when crop cultivation and farming start to become a central feature of life and culture. White, Paul Ancient Dartmoor - An Introduction (Bossiney Books, 2000) For photos of this site, see: Megalithic Portal: Down Ridge - Stone CircleNearby sites: SX655127208, Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Fernworthy Stone CircleOS Map: SX 65486 84126NMR record: SX 68 SE 56HER record: 6534Megalithic Portal: 530PMD: Fernworthy Stone CircleShort Name: SC FernworthTurner: G13DPD: 138Dimensions (m): 19.3Notes: The Fernworthy circle is part of a group of ceremonial monuments including 3 stone rows and 5 cairns that may once have rivalled Merrivale and Shovel Down as ceremonial centres. The route from the farm is an easy track back north east to the magnificent Teignhead Clapper Bridge and your way takes you back diagonally across the slope to go through the wall that you crossed earlier leading from the forest down to Manga Clapper Bridge. 1Stringer 2006, see also First humans arrived in Britain 250,000 years earlier than thought and The first Britons 11Newman p. 36, Bradley (1998, p. 116) Langstone Moor stone circle was restored in 1894. Worth, R.H. Worth's Dartmoor (David & Charles, 1971), Wessex Archaeology Time Team Report: Tottiford Reservoir, Archaeological Evaluation and Assessment of Results. Moretonhampstead 1: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns ROUTE: Short walk. it's an English Heritage scheduled monument and also considered to be one of the most impressive stone circles on Dartmoor. The exact purpose of these prehistoric monuments is unknown. Only 34 stones remain of the original 65, and only 25 of those are standing . 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. The stone circle functioned as a burial chamber, although the cairn has since been robbed and the cist - burial chamber - destroyed. It is reputed that any adult who passed through the hole would be cured of rheumatism. The stone circles of the British Isles are thought to have an indigenous origin and date from around 2500 - 1300 B.C1. Also known as the Throwleigh circle. A walk to Scorhill Stone Circle - YouTube WHAT TO WEAR/BRING: Sturdy walking boots; warm layers; sunscreen; waterproof jacket and trousers (whatever the forecast); walking poles if you have them;drink/flask and snack or picnic lunch. The Legend of Grey Wethers | Dartmoor Lydford Gorge Walk 3. Go through the gate and along the footpath through the gorse bushes. It is formed by eleven stones spaced between 2.7m and 6.7m. ringmoordown photos on Flickr | Flickr Easy. Parking is limited on Dartmoor. In addition there are the multiple cairn circles at Shovel Down and Yellowmead. The stone circles of Dartmoor are parochial and small in character in contrast to the grand regional circles at Stanton Drew and Avesbury. 7Gerrard p. 26 The debris of the former stones remain in place. The generally accepted definition of a stone circle is a circle of stones thought to be a ritual site that does not include a cairn or burial. Continue down the hill to Gidleigh Cross junction where there is a welcome seat by the grassy triangle at SX672 883.