Guide to the Monuments on Cosdon Hill
Table of Ritual and Burial Monuments on Cosdon Hill
Table of Round Houses on Cosdon Hill
Cosdon Hill Guide Map
Guidance for walkers: The monuments featured in this database are archaeological treasures and need to be protected and preserved - please do not disturb any sites. Please check access and firing times before visiting sites, not all sites listed are on open access land. Firing ranges and boundaries of open access areas are marked on the OL28 OS Dartmoor Explorer map. Please stick to the country code and consider giving support to the numerous agencies that help to keep Dartmoor a fabulous natural and historic environment!
List of Ritual and Burial Monuments on Cosdon Hill
Cosdon Beacon 1 (duplicate) Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 63610 91490
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV6883
ShortName: CN:Cosdon 1dup
Notes: Duplicate of HER 6885. This entry on the HER is to the function as a fire beacon - so is valid for the HER but replicates 6885 for our purposes. Confirmed duplicate - no action required on HER. Removing from PDW Guide listing.
Nearby sites: SX63619149
A30 Embankment 1 Reported Cist
OS Map: SX 62900 95000
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV41469
PMD: A30 Embankment
ShortName: CT?A30 Emban1
Notes: Destroyed? Possibly cist seen (shepherd).
Nearby sites: SX62909500
Cosdon Hill Stone Row (duplicate) Reported Cist
OS Map: SX 64330 91600
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV6922
PMD: Cosdon S 2
ShortName: CT:Cosdon SR
Notes: Second of two ruined cists on Cosdon Hill. Ward Lock refers to "a triple row with remains of two kistvaens" lower down from Cosdon summit, so presumably this is the same as SMR SX 69 SW/19? THE HER grid reference for this is almost 1km out. The grid reference given is SX 63630 91370 which is centered on Cosdon Hill as a geographical entity. THis entry clearly relates to the cairn and cist at the end of the stone row so we will give it a grid reference of SX 64330 91600.
Confirmed duplicate - no action required on HER. Removing from PDW Guide listing.
Nearby sites: SX64339160
Cosdon Beacon Cairn
OS Map: SX 63611 91502
NMR record: SX 69 SW 21
HER record: MDV6885
Megalithic Portal: 10325
Alternate name: Cosdon Beacon 1 Cairn
ShortName: CN Cosdon 1
Butler map: 40.7.1
DPD page: 153
Grinsell: ST 3
Notes: Cairn 27m diameter, height 1.8m, crowned by modern stone heap and OS trig pillar. Large hollows in the top, from robbing, would have protected beacon fires. Butler Cosdon Beacon 1 Vol. 2. Map 40.7.1. (diagram of Cosdon Summit cairns on p.207).
Nearby sites: SX63619150
Cosdon Beacon East Stone Ring Cairn Circle
OS Map: SX 63663 91492
NMR record: SX 69 SW 15
HER record: MDV6928
Megalithic Portal: 10325
Alternate name: Cosdon Beacon 2 Stone Ring Cairn Circle
ShortName: RC Cosdon 2
Butler map: 40.7.2
DPD page: 152
Grinsell: ST 4
Turner: A6
Notes: Located 25m to east of Cosdon Beacon. A near circular bank 1.6m wide of double slab construction and about 21m across. Turner A6 (diagram p.59). NMR Cairn A. Butler Cosdon Beacon 2 Vol. 2. Map 40.7.2. (diagram of Cosdon Summit cairns on p.207).
Nearby sites: SX63669149
Cosdon Beacon Embanked Cairn Circle and Cist
OS Map: SX 63708 91593
NMR record: SX 69 SW 15
HER record: MDV6898
Megalithic Portal: 10325
PMD: Cosdon Summit S.
Alternate name: Cosdon Hill 3 Embanked Cairn Circle and Cist
ShortName: CT Cosdon 3
Butler map: 40.7.3
Butler Vol 5: p.164 & Fig.105
DPD page: 152
Grinsell: ST 2
Turner: B14
Barrow Report: 21
Notes: "Ring cairn and cist on summit ridge of Cawsand Hill. Cairn forms part of a cemetery including at least 2 round cairns, 2 ring cairns and one platform cairn. Earthwork survives as a 2m wide and 0.4m high circular rubble bank, faced with close set stones around its outer edge and surrounds an internal area measuring 18m ew by 17m ns. A mound measuring 6m in diam and 0.2m high stands in the centre of the area enclosed by the circular bank and contains a stone cist with 2 slabs surviving." Turner B14(diagram p.59). Butler Cosdon Beacon 3 Vol. 2. Map 40.7.3 (diagram Vol. 5. p.164). NMR Cairn B. Possible cist? This site is difficult to photograph, the photo shows part of one side of the ring.
Nearby sites: SX63719159
Cosdon Beacon Cairn Circle & Cist
OS Map: SX 63721 91660
NMR record: SX 69 SW 45
HER record: MDV6925
Megalithic Portal: 10325
Alternate name: Cosdon Hill 4 Cairn Circle & Cist
ShortName: CN Cosdon 4
Butler map: 40.7.4
Butler Vol 5: p.183 & Fig.125
DPD page: 153
Grinsell: ST 1b
Notes: "Cairn mound measures 7m in diam and stands up to 0.6m high. A central hollow, 2m by 1.8m by 1m deep, is faced on two sides with large slabs which may represent the cist described by falcon in 1905 as being 4ft long by 2ft wide. A ring of edge set stones around this cist is visible and may represent an internal kerb, which survives largely as a buried feature.". Lethbridge diagram p.152, photo bottom left p.153. Butler Cosdon Beacon 4 Vol. 2. Map 40.7.4 (diagram of Cosdon Summit cairns on p.207). Barrow Report 4 quotes Rowe (1872) and Rowe on this feature. See also Bate (1862) and Rowe's earlier account (1830). For Falcon's cist (1905) "Two stones set on edge on the eastern periphery of the mound may represent a second cist." see entry SiteID=463.
NB. The grid reference SX 63730 91654 had been assigned by the author to this feature - possibly as read from Google or a subsequent visit. Unfortunately no explanation can be found so rolling back to previous Garmin reading taken on 12/09/21.
Nearby sites: SX63729166
Cosdon Beacon Platform Cairn Circle
OS Map: SX 63717 91719
NMR record: SX 69 SW 44
HER record: MDV6924
Megalithic Portal: 10325
Alternate name: Cosdon Beacon 5 Platform Cairn Circle
ShortName: PC Cosdon 5
Butler map: 40.7.5
DPD page: 153
Grinsell: ST 1
Turner: E1
Notes: Cairn 13.5m diameter with signs of retaining circle. Crowned by modern stone heap. HER MDV6894. See also: NMR 444167. Lethbridge diagram p.152, photo bottom right p.153. Turner E1 (diagram p.59). Butler Cosdon Beacon 5 Vol. 2. Map 40.7.5. (diagram of Cosdon Summit cairns on p.207).
Nearby sites: SX63729172
Cosdon Beacon Cist
OS Map: SX 63740 91653
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
PMD: Cosdon Summit N.
Alternate name: Cosdon Hill 6 Cist
ShortName: CT Cosdon 6
Notes: The cist was originally noted by Falcon as being approximately 3 1/2ft to 4ft long and 2ft wide, aligned apparently NE-SW. The SW and NE sides were fairly recognizable. This cist is very near to the Cosdon Hill 4 cairn (SiteID=419, HER MDV6925) and the details of this site have been incorporated and sometimes confused by numerous authors. Butler perhaps gives a fleeting mention as "Two slabs on the edge of the pit are probably the sides of a cist." although it is not clear whethr this is a reference to part of Cosdon Hill 4. Neither the NMR nor the HER have separate entries for this feature but it is mentioned as part of the covreage of Cosdon Hill 4 "Two stones set on edge on the eastern periphery of the mound may represent a second cist." (MDV6925)
Nearby sites: SX63749165
Cosdon Beacon Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 63716 91666
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
Alternate name: Cosdon Hill 7 Reported Cairn
ShortName: CN Cosdon 7
DPD page: 153
Notes: An arrangement a few paces north of cosdon Hill 4 and of a very similiar appearance. Might be a modern arrangement, perhaps the work of stone cutters? There is a notable cist shaped hole within this feature. Lethbridge diagram p.152, photo bottom right p.153. This feature appears not to be mentioned anywhere else.
Nearby sites: SX63729167
Cawsand Hill Cairn
OS Map: SX 63736 91668
NMR record: SX 69 SW 44
HER record: MDV13063
ShortName: CN CawsandHill
Grinsell: ST 1a
Nearby sites: SX63749167
Cosdon Hill N.1 Cairn
OS Map: SX 63600 93300
NMR record: SX 69 SW 26
HER record: MDV13050
ShortName: CN:Cosdon N1
Butler map: 40.8.1
Notes: Butler states "At the north end of the hill an inconspicuous turf-covered cairn with shallow central depression lies on the hillside just above the enclosed land". The author looked for this cairn on 12/09/21 but was unable to find it within the deep vegetation cover.
Nearby sites: SX63609330
Cosdon Hill N.2 Cairn
OS Map: SX 63540 93160
NMR record: SX 69 SW 5
HER record: MDV6916
PMD: Skaigh Warren
ShortName: CN Cosdon N2
Butler map: 40.8.2
Grinsell: ST 8
Notes: Remains of a probable cairn/cist located approximately 350 metres south-east of Skaigh Warren, consisting of a scatter of stones, surrounding one set slab.
Nearby sites: SX63549316
Cosdon Hill N.3 Cist
OS Map: SX 63604 93067
NMR record: SX 69 SW 6
HER record: MDV6918
PMD: Skaigh
ShortName: CT Cosdon N3
Butler map: 40.8.3
Grinsell: ST 9
Notes: The remains of the cist, almost certainly that noted by Crawford, consist of two end stones 0.8 metres high and 0.5 metres wide, 1.8 metres apart and oriented north-west/ south-east. Between these uprights lie two fallen granite side-slabs, 1.5 metres long and 0.5 metres wide. "Butler believes these may be the remains of a well-known stone setting called the Eight Rocks which existed on the hillside here until sometime in the 19th century. This was probably the remaining circle of a cairn like the Nine Stones or Nine Maidens on Belstone Common (PRN6865), reputed to come alive and dance (Crossing, 1912)."
Nearby sites: SX63609307
Cosdon Hill Encircled Cairn
OS Map: SX 63350 92479
NMR record: SX 69 SW 105
HER record: MDV13064
Megalithic Portal: 22695
Alternate name: Cosdon Hill N.4 Encircled Cairn
ShortName: EC Cosdon N4
Butler map: 40.9
Grinsell: ST 10
Notes: Cairn at the junction of two Bronze Age reaves. "Round cairn on Cosdon Hill, measuring 7.3 metres in diameter and standing up to 0.8 metres high. A number of edge set stones visible around the southern side of the cairn mound suggests the existence of a kerb. There is a hollow in the north side of the mound, probably the result of partial robbing or an early excavation."
Nearby sites: SX63359248
Cosdon Hill N.W. Cist
OS Map: SX 63040 92659
NMR record: SX 69 SW 39
HER record: MDV63639
ShortName: CT:Cosdon NW1
Butler map: 40.10
Notes: Cairn measures 9.5 metres in diameter, height 1 metre. Cist 3 metres by 3 meters by 0.1 metre deep. Grass, heather and gorse covered mound with stones protruding through the turf on the northern side of the mound. The author was unable to locate this site within the dense vegetation cover on 13/09/21.
Nearby sites: SX63049266
Cosdon Hill N.W. Cairnfield (7+) Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 62900 92700
NMR record: SX 69 SW 104
HER record: MDV14436
ShortName: CN:Cosdon NW2
Butler map: 40.10
Notes: Cairnfield on Cosdon Hill, consisting of at least eight cairns.
Nearby sites: SX62909270
Cosdon Hill N.W.3 Crop Mark
OS Map: SX 62950 92200
NMR record: SX 69 SW 116
HER record: MDV27928
ShortName: CNxCosdon NW3
Notes: Aerial Photograph
Nearby sites: SX62959220
Cosdon Hill N.W.4 Crop Mark
OS Map: SX 63020 92180
NMR record: SX 69 SW 125
HER record: MDV27931
ShortName: CNxCosdon NW4
Notes: Aerial Photograph
Nearby sites: SX63029218
Skaigh Warren 1 Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 63300 93600
NMR record: SX 69 SW 176
HER record: MDV13052
ShortName: CN?Skaigh Wa1
Notes: "Many small cairns situated on the natural terrace here. Possible prehistoric cairn group."
Nearby sites: SX63309360
Skaigh Warren 2 Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 63700 93600
NMR record: SX 69 SW 176
HER record: MDV13053
ShortName: CN?Skaigh Wa2
Notes: "Many small cairns within modern enclosure here. Possibly the result of field clearance but quite likely to be a group of prehistoric cairns."
Nearby sites: SX63709360
Cosdon Hill East 1 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64890 91820
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59589
ShortName: CN:CosdonHi E1
Nearby sites: SX64899182
Cosdon Hill East 2 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64880 91810
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59590
ShortName: CN:CosdonHi E2
Nearby sites: SX64889181
Cosdon Hill East 3 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64890 91830
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59591
ShortName: CN:CosdonHi E3
Nearby sites: SX64899183
Cosdon Hill East 4 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64900 91840
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59592
ShortName: CN:CosdonHi E4
Nearby sites: SX64909184
Cosdon Hill East 5 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64910 91860
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59593
ShortName: CN:CosdonHi E5
Nearby sites: SX64919186
Cosdon Hill East 6 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64910 91840
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59594
ShortName: CN:CosdonHi E6
Nearby sites: SX64919184
Cosdon Hill East 7 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64910 91810
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59595
ShortName: CN:CosdonHi E7
Nearby sites: SX64919181
Cosdon Hill East 8 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64910 91820
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59596
ShortName: CN:CosdonHi E8
Nearby sites: SX64919182
Cosdon Hill East 9 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64930 91790
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59597
ShortName: CN:CosdonHi E9
Nearby sites: SX64939179
Cosdon Hill East 10 Cairn
OS Map: SX 64930 91830
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV59598
ShortName: CN:CosdonHiE10
Nearby sites: SX64939183
Cosdon Hill E. Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 64300 91500
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN?Cosdon E
Butler map: 40.6
Grinsell: ST 5b
Notes: Butler: "Nothing was found in a second cairn excavated by the Committee 'on the side of Cosdon', an unhelpfully loose dsscription considerign the size of the hill, and this cairn has yet to be re-located".
Nearby sites: SX64309150
Nine Stones (SW of) cairn cemetery enclosure Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 64850 91750
NMR record: SX 69 SW 87
HER record: MDV27444
ShortName: CNxNine Ston12
Nearby sites: SX64859175
Shilley Pool N. Cairn Circle
OS Map: SX 65030 91420
NMR record: SX 69 SE 9
HER record: MDV6945
PMD: Shilley Pool N.
ShortName: CN:Shilley P1
Butler map: 39.6
Grinsell: ST 5a
Notes: Mound, possibly a barrow, shown on os 6" as 'mound', on 1:25000 os as 'tumulus'.
Nearby sites: SX65039142
Cosdon Stone Row
OS Map: SX 64317 91600
NMR record: SX 69 SW 17
HER record: MDV6886
Megalithic Portal: 1858
The Stone Rows of GB: Cosdon
PMD: Cosdon Stone Row
ShortName: SR Cosdon
Butler map: 40.6
DPD page: 152
Notes: "A triple stone row lies near the summit of Cosdon Hill and is 447 feet in length measured from the centre of the circled cairn which stands at the west end. At 225 feet from the west end there is a slight change in direction and the rows turn somewhat northward. This change of direction may be said to divide the row into western and an eastern section. Overall width, western part is 8 feet 10 inches, eastern part 10 feet 8 inches. The cairn is 26 feet in diameter and contains the remains of two cists; the retaining circle is very irregular. There is no formal feature to mark the termination of the rows at their eastern end"
Nearby sites: SX64329160
Cosdon (stone row) Platform Cairn Circle and Cist
OS Map: SX 64331 91597
NMR record: SX 69 SW 17
HER record: MDV48906
Megalithic Portal: 813
PMD: Cosdon Stone Row
Alternate name: Cosdon Hill Stone Row Platform Cairn Circle and Cist
ShortName: CT Cosdon Row
Butler map: 40.6
Butler Vol 5: p.234 & Fig.165
DPD page: 152
Grinsell: ST 5
Turner: E15
Notes: "The cairn associated with the Cosdon Hill triple stone row is 26 feet in diameter and contains the remains of two cists; the retaining circle is very irregular. Of the two cists, one is intact, the other has been robbed of the cover-stone and two side-stones." Lethbridge diagram p.152, cists pictured. Butler Cosdon Hill Stone Row - Vol. 2. Map 40.6 (diagram p.205).
Nearby sites: SX64339160
Ramsley Hill (site of) Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 65186 93032
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN-Ramsley H1
Butler map: 41.
Notes: Butler lists this amongst the cairns for his Map 41. However Map 40 was probably intended where there is a discussion of streamworking and associated mounds. Also there was a ninteenth century report of a stone row and associated monuments at Ramsley that no longer exist.
Nearby sites: SX65199303
West Wyke 1 Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 65780 92770
NMR record: SX 69 SE 76
HER record: MDV13067
ShortName: CN?West Wyke1
Nearby sites: SX65789277
West Wyke 2 Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 65720 92800
NMR record: SX 69 SE 76
HER record: MDV13068
ShortName: CN?West Wyke2
Nearby sites: SX65729280
West Wyke 3 Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 65680 92800
NMR record: SX 69 SE 76
HER record: MDV13069
ShortName: CN?West Wyke3
Notes: Flat topped massive cairn, possibly built round natural outcrop, more or less on highest point of rough pasture field. It lies immediately to the e of relict boundary which runs approx. N-s.1:2500 os maps shows triangulation point here, but no sign of this could be seen.
Nearby sites: SX65689280
Oxenham Arms Standing Stone
OS Map: SX 65014 93606
NMR record: SX 69 SE 26
HER record: MDV13065
Megalithic Portal: 8401
PMD: Oxenham Arms
ShortName: SS OxenhamArms
Notes: "The Oxenham Arms, now an inn, is the former manor house and home of the Burgoyne family. A courtyard plan house, it was originally a two-room-and-through passage plan. An interesting feature is an enormous upright slab of granite built into the inner wall of the rear parlour. This looks very much like a prehistoric standing stone and it seems that the house was built around it". See also, Legendary Dartmoor: The Oxenham Arms Menhir
Nearby sites: SX65019361
Cosdon Hill N.1 (duplicate) Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 63504 93207
NMR record: SX 69 SW 26
HER record: MDV103625
ShortName: CN:Cosdon Hi9
Nearby sites: SX63509321
Cosdon Beacon 5 (duplicate) Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 63700 91710
NMR record: SX 69 SW 16
HER record: MDV6924
Megalithic Portal: 10325
ShortName: CN:Cosdon 5dup
Butler map: 40.7.5
Notes: This is an old NMR duplicate, see: NMR 444212. THE HER entry is correct and not a duplicate.
Nearby sites: SX63709171
Ramsley Stone Row
OS Map: SX 65100 93100
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV6950
PMD: Ramsley Stone Row
Alternate name: Ramsley stone row Stone Row
ShortName: SRxRamsley
Notes: "There is evidence for the former existence of stone rows at Ramsley above South Zeal. They were destroyed some 25 years ago by works in connection with the Ramsley Mine and only a few of the smaller and less important stones remain. Mr George French, working at Ramsley at the time, recollects their existence." Destroyed site, might have been field wall. Gid reference given is that of the vicinity of the Ramsley cairn.
Nearby sites: SX65209300
Page last updated 28/05/23