Vol 34 pp.116-7 (1902) 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. The later Neolithic period sees the transition from the use of stone tools through to the age of widespread metal working, first the Bronze Age and then the Iron Age. Walk alongside the Beadon Brook valley and take in the tranquility of the stream-side woodland. Easily-accessible paths. Later Neolithic farmers were more proficient in agriculture and started deliberately clearing large areas of forest for agricultural use. 16See: Dartmoor tomb treasure horde uncovered by archaeologists 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. The existence of groups of circles adds intrigue to the unknown purpose of stone circles. 323 pp55-70. The Grey Wethers, Brisworthy and White Moor (Little Hound Tor) circles were all restored and are impressive although they have smaller stones than Scorhill. Now continue over the hill walking parallel with the edge of the forest on your left using one of the well-defined paths. The Nine Maidens . It is reputed that any adult who passed through the hole would be cured of rheumatism. Today only 3 stones remain intact with 10 having been destroyed and the rest overturned during World War Two. There are taller stones at each end. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. On your right there is a gateway into a field, one of the gateposts is a good example of the old five bar gateways with an upside down L socketed granite post to take the bars from the opposite gatepost prior to the introduction of the modern fivebar gates. 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. 94-114 (1979) This could be by design or it could be a coincidence given the wide range of orientations of Dartmoor stone rows. 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. During successive inter-glacial periods humans returned. The site would have been impressive in its day and is one of the only ones sited on the top of high ground and has a fine view of the surrounding area. The well defined path continues over the hill with views to the right of Cosdon Beacon, the wall drops away to the left but we carry on up the hill over the down. It is now a boundary marker. There are 15 stone circles on Dartmoor (this is counting Grey Wethers as two circles) and they are all listed below with links to their location on the OS map, to their National Monument Records and to any coverage on this website. Dartmoor National Park is in South West England in the county of Devon. Prijava. RISK: Walks and activities are at your own risk. A further six recumbent stones lie where they have fallen. 18Breton (1990) Part 1, pp.51-2 These are all under a metre in height, and the ring measures about 8 metres in diameter. The stone circles of Dartmoor are parochial and small in character in contrast to the grand regional circles at Stanton Drew and Avesbury. Places to Visit near Haytor. This site was excavated prior to being buried underneath the clay workings at Cholwich town. The description of the route promises to . The charcoal deposits in the soil of this period provide evidence that Dartmoor was deforested due to fire. For a photo of this site, see: Megalithic Portal: Sherberton circle. Britain would have been uninhabited again during a further cold period known as the Loch Lomond Stadial which ended around 10,000 years ago4. 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. Vol. 24Eogan, George & Simmons, J.G. Fernworthy was excavated in 1897. 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. Fascinating Fact: Widecombe-in-the-Moor was a location used during the filming of Steven Spielberg's epic war drama War Horse. 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. 21Fox (1953) The circle consists of 23 granite slabs up to 2.5m high with a further 11 recumbent stones. The Nine Maidens Stone Circle. 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. 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. Dartmoor is home to an impressive number of stone circles and rows. And sharing lessens our impact on the environment. The stone circles and many, if not most, of the stone rows would have been constructed long before this period of settlement. Distance 10km. Crossing, William Guide to Dartmoor (Peninsula Press, 2001) The Sourton Tors circle consists of 32 stones all but 6 of which remain were they have fallen. 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. 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. These early farmers are thought to have used wooden shelters and no evidence remains of their settlements. 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. Route is dependent on weather conditions and group pace. 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 . 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. Set in the idyllic hills of Dartmoor National Park just north of Newton Abbot, Canonteign Forest is home to some challenging hikes and stunning natural scenery. Dewerstone Rock from the opposite valley on the Dartmoor Way. 8see also NMR SX 68 NE 63 This row runs due east-west and is about 260 metres long. 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! Three upright stones, between 0.3m and 0.75m high, are visible. 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. No liability accepted for accidents or incidents. Start Moretonhampstead. Belstone is an attractive village on the northern fringe of Dartmoor National Park. 4Newman p.24 Pre-war photos give a sense of how spectacular this site used to be. around 8000 BC). +44 (0) 7817 329584info@dartmoorsdaughter.comSign up to our newsletter here, Navigation Skills for Beginners (or Refresher), The King Way Walk - Dartmoor Walking Festival. The Tolmen Stone is a massive boulder lying on the bed of The River Teign. I'm not kidding when I say I experienced all the seasons during the hike to these stones. Petit (1974) refers to 12 circles (his list presumably excluding Shovel Down & Mardon). 7Gerrard p. 26 Staldon stone row. 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. Thank you. 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). Sites such as the Nine Maidens site on Belstone common are considered to be cairn circles rather than stone circles. 3.7 km/h. We have found that circular walks are the most well-loved, so here we have a large number for you to choose from! Take a look at the circular walks you can do here. Parking is limited on Dartmoor. Nearer is the narrow fir plantation leading down into the valley of the North Teign River, the trees leading right down to the location of the Tolmen Stone which is on our route shortly. It cannot be proved that these fires were caused by these early farmers but it would seem most likely. Thanks to Simon Dell of Moorland Guides for this walk. 11Gerrard p.25 Eogan, George & Simmons, J.G. 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. The tallest of the stones is over 8 feet high. Over Great Staple Tor. Find out more Great Plantation (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). This 5.5 mile circular walk takes you from the village of Belstone, past intriguing Irish Man's Wall, over the hill and across a ford to Taw Plain. 30 pp.97-115 (1898) 17Baring-Gould Fifth Report of the Dartmoor Exploration Committee, T.D.A. There are two massive megaliths one of which is on the north-western part of the circle. Until recently there had been no direct evidence of any tin working or mining on Dartmoor during the Bronze Age. Breton, Henry Hugh, Beautiful Dartmoor And Its Interesting Antiquities, (1990) 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. 2. The lads of . Teign Gorge Walk 7. 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. All the stones are quite small but they have recently been excavated by one of the Dartmoor volunteers so they are all quite visible. SITES OF INTEREST: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Exeter to Moretonhampstead via Dunsford (Country Bus 359) runs Monday to Saturday. Dartmoor's Daughter: Dartmoor stone circles - See 335 traveler reviews, 164 candid photos, and great deals for Dartmoor National Park, UK, at Tripadvisor. Click here for more information on cookies and our Privacy Notice. Behind you are fine views away to east Devon. At the sharp left bend in front of Cherryford House turn right to Scorhill and carry on up the hill under the trees to the end of the lane at he vehicle turning area and the gateway that leads out onto Scorhill Down and the open moors at SX660 877. 26Butler (1997) p.146, Baring-Gould, S, A Book of Dartmoor, (1900), (Halsgrove reprint 2002) Continue up the steep hill passing a house on the right. 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. 9see also NMR SX 68 NE 29 At the time only 9 stones remained standing in the north circle and 7 in the south circle. 25The most convincing evidence for an astronomical alignment at a Dartmoor stone row is at Down Tor (Hingstone Hill). 12Grinsell (1978) p. 86 These fires might have been for cremations or for feasts and celebrations, we can only speculate on this. 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 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. Scorhill Circle is arguably the most impressive stone circle having the largest stones, one of which is over 8 feet in height. (Red route) Over Shovel Down to Manga Farm and Teignhead Farm ruins and return via Kestor Rock to Batworthy Corner. 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. Through open moorland and wooded valleys, taking in wild swimming rivers, ancient stone circles and monuments. 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. At this point a small detour to our right, along the path will take us to Scorhill stone circle at SX654 873. Take the left fork where the modern standing stone . Two cart tracks run right through the ring, making its appearance even more impressive. All river crossings are over bridges. Walk through an ancient and ritual Dartmoor landscape. You will be able to transfer your booking to another walk. 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. It would seem likely that most circles were established near population centres and sited to ensure ease of access to the whole community, they probably acted as ritual centres and perhaps also a place for community gatherings much like a local church or town hall. . 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. Two settlements are thought to be early Neolithic, these are found on the hilltops of White Tor and Dewerstone. RISK: Walks and activities are at your own risk. This would suggest Dartmoor was first exploited by humans in the Lower Palaeolithic although the evidence is weak. Rowe, Samuel A Perambulation of Dartmoor (Devon Books, 1985) Perfect. 63-4 (also picture of restored Langstone circle as frontispiece) Many appear to have been located to give the most impressive vista on approach, the Buttern Hill circle would have been silhouetted on the skyline when approached from the south, on the other hand the Little Hound Tor circle when approached from the west only comes to view at a distance of 100m. Unfortunately, there is little accurate dating evidence for the monuments on Dartmoor which is largely due to the fact that the necessary organic remains used for dating have not survived in the acid soils. Both circles have 30 stones. 2018-04-04 15:30:28. No liability accepted for accidents or incidents. In some areas such as Gidleigh8 and Batworthy9 large numbers of flints have been found which range from the Mesolithic through the Neolithic on to the Bronze Age which shows that these locations were in use for millennia. At the bend you leave the tarmac lane and turn left into a footpath and over a stile. 90 m. 90 m. Easy hike. As well as restorations the D.E.C. A low rubble bank surrounds the circle which can be seen on LIDAR data. The path takes you down hill into the woods and continues downhill left at another signpost to the North Teign River, which you cross by way of a wooden footbridge SX671 875. CANCELLATION: The event will go ahead come rain or shine. Dartmoor's Daughter: Sacred Stone Circle Walk - See 388 traveler reviews, 204 candid photos, and great deals for Dartmoor National Park, UK, at Tripadvisor. Tap/mouse over a coloured circle (1-3 easy walks, 4-6 moderate walks, 7-9 hard walks) and click to select. LEVEL: Strenuous - this walk requires a good level of fitness and is approximately 9 miles/14.5 km on open and hilly moorland terrain. During the ice ages the region became unpopulated. During the drought of August 2022 the stones were exposed again for the first time for years. There are hundreds of stone circles in the British Isles that have survived mostly in the highland areas.3 It is very likely that there were many more which have not survived due to clearance and there is evidence that in some areas such structures were constructed of wood. The site is a fairly accurate circle of circumference 20.2m. 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 . 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. 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. 6Newman p.25, Gerrard p.24 The length of the 2 fallen stones at the southern end is 2.6m and 2.4m". Burrator Reservoir Walk 5. In the West Country there are 25 stone circles in Cornwall, 17 in Devon (15 of these on Dartmoor), 5 or 6 in Somerset and 7 in Dorset4. 9Gerrard (1997) p.61 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. 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. Marked with a Blue P on the OS map, this is on B3357 opposite Cox Tor and between Moorshop and Merrivale. 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. 1 min walk (0.1 mi) POINCIANA CIRCULATOR. By continuing to use the site, you agree to cookies being used. Mesolithic tools are very distinctive consisting of much smaller flint tools than found during the Palaeolithic. Click here to view our full cancellation Policy. No liability accepted for accidents or incidents.