Historic Dartmoor

At an altitude of about 1,300ft stands a lone cross firmly affixed to a large boulder, this is known as the Cave-Penney Memorial or the Sherwell Cross. It is an impressive monument in memory of a brave young man who died in the First World War. At the bottom of …

In a field just outside the town of Bovey Tracey stands a forlorn looking granite cross, it is sometimes known as Longston Cross or Challabrook Cross. At some time in the past it has been used as a gatepost as is evident from the two rusty gate hangers that still …

One thing Dartmoor is not lacking in is cairns, there are big ones, little ones, ancient ones and modern ones. It is impossible to look on a map of the moor and not see one somewhere. But what are there purpose? The explanation for the modern ones initially appears simple, …

On the south eastern side of Wigford Down stands a lone wayside cross known as ‘Cadover Cross’ or sometimes as the ‘Cross on Wigford Down’. Today it is only the cross head and base which are the original components of the cross as can be seen from the restoration photograph …

Having recently posted a webpage on the longest stone row on Dartmoor, namely Staldon, it seems logical to say a few words about it’s neighbour. Butterdon stone row is the second longest on Dartmoor and it shows certain similarities to that of Staldon in its design and construction. Another connection …

Budleigh Bridge or as the Ordnance Survey would have it: One Mill Bridge, lies just to the south-east of Moretonhampstead. As Dartmoor’s bridges go the actual structure is nothing to write home about and most people probably don’t pay it much attention. However, back in 1959 it was reported my …

‘The circle is one of the finest on Dartmoor, although the Grey Wethers and Scar Hill (Scorhill) are larger specimens. The diameter is about 80ft (24.38m)  and it consists of twenty four stones; originally all except three lay prostrate on the ground, until the summer of 1909, when Mr. R. …

Perched just above the little valley known as Drizzlecombe or Thrushelcombe is what in some circles is known, for reasons that will become clear, as ‘The Bone‘. This is one of three menhirs (standing stones) associated with the scheduled Drizzlecombe ceremonial complex and itself is part of a feature consisting …

Sat beside what is now a track leading to the China Clay workings is a lone solitary granite cross. The surrounding land is a palimpsest of prehistoric ritual and modern industrial landscapes of which the latter has sadly obliterated much of the former. The cross is actually marked on the …

Bennett’s Cross – why, because somebody pinched his pasty! Well hardly, Bennett’s Cross in an ancient, granite wayside cross that sits just beside the B3212 near the Warren House Inn. This particular cross always appears to be in agony, its form somehow resembling a small man twisted up with arthritis. …