Guide to the Monuments on Rippon Tor

Table of Ritual and Burial Monuments on Rippon Tor

Rippon Tor 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 Rippon Tor

Hay Tor S.E.1 Cairn

OS Map: SX 76265 76521
NMR record: SX 77 NE 49
HER record: MDV103592
ShortName: CN:Hay Tor 1
Butler map: 4.4
Notes: A once substantial cairn of 22 metres diameter. The fabric has been heavily robbed though traces of a kerb survive.
Nearby sites: SX76277652

Hay Tor S.E.2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 76181 76543
NMR record: SX 77 NE 48
HER record: MDV103591
ShortName: CN:Hay Tor 2
Notes: Prehistoric cairn which has been badly disturbed and robbed lies on the southern ridge of Haytor Down - one of a group of four
Nearby sites: SX76187654

Hay Tor S.E.3 Cairn

OS Map: SX 76098 76550
NMR record: SX 77 NE 50
HER record: MDV103590
ShortName: CN:Hay Tor 3
Notes: "A badly disturbed Prehistoric cairn on the southern ridge of Haytor Down - one of a group of four."
Nearby sites: SX76107655

Hay Tor S.E.4 Cairn

OS Map: SX 76030 76598
NMR record: SX 77 NE 81
HER record: MDV103589
ShortName: CN:Hay Tor 4
Notes: A badly robbed out cairn on the southern ridge of Haytor Down - one of a group of four.
Nearby sites: SX76037660

Hay Tor S.E.5 Cairn

OS Map: SX 76861 75925
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV19471
ShortName: CN:Hay Tor 5
Nearby sites: SX76867593

Hay Tor S.E.6 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 77450 76300
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV26588
ShortName: CNxHay Tor 6
Nearby sites: SX77457630

Hayter S. Cairn

OS Map: SX 75631 76810
NMR record: SX 77 NE 90
HER record: MDV40740
ShortName: CN:Hayter S.1
Butler map: 1.8
Nearby sites: SX75637681

Emsworthy Rocks E.1 Cairn

OS Map: SX 75280 76820
NMR record: SX 77 NE 61
HER record: MDV78669
ShortName: CN:Emsworthy 1
Butler map: 1.9.1
Notes: HER refers to two cairns
Nearby sites: SX75287682

Emsworthy Rocks E.2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 75330 76840
NMR record: SX 77 NE 62
HER record: MDV78669
ShortName: CN:Emsworthy 2
Butler map: 1.9.2
Notes: HER refers to two cairns
Nearby sites: SX75337684

Saddle Tor A Ancient Pool

OS Map: SX 75135 76534
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV127219
ShortName: PO:SaddleTorA
Notes: "A pool measuring 20m. One of over 40 such 'sacred' pools identified on Dartmoor that are thought to have potentially been designed during the prehistoric period. One of a group of three pools north-east of saddle Tor."
Nearby sites: SX75147653

Saddle Tor B Ancient Pool

OS Map: SX 75172 76553
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV127220
ShortName: PO:SaddleTorB
Notes: "A pool measuring 16.5 by 14.5m. One of over 40 such 'sacred' pools identified on Dartmoor that are thought to have potentially been designed during the prehistoric period. One of a group of three pools north-east of saddle Tor."
Nearby sites: SX75177655

Saddle Tor C Ancient Pool

OS Map: SX 75273 76526
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV127222
ShortName: PO:SaddleTorC
Notes: "A pool measuring 14 by 10m. One of over 40 such 'sacred' pools identified on Dartmoor that are thought to have potentially been designed during the prehistoric period. One of a group of three pools north-east of saddle Tor."
Nearby sites: SX75277653

Saddle Tor Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 75154 76343
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN?SaddleTor1
Notes: Mound where flag-pole was sited. This site was asked about by Max Piper on a Dartmoor Facebook group on 20 Nov 2020. Max observed: atop Saddle Tor's eastern mass at SX 75154 76343, and at the very, very top. It appears to have utilised bedrock and is almost a ring cairn on the western side where broken rocks have been piled up. In the discussion that followed the consensus was that there had once been a flag pole sited here and that is the origin of this man-made mound. It is being added here as a "reported cairn" to help others trying to make sense of it. Thanks to Max for the grid reference and details. There are no entries on the HER for this feature.
Nearby sites: SX75157634

Saddle Tor Crop Mark

OS Map: SX 75100 76500
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV28309
ShortName: CNxSaddleTor2
Notes: Aerial Photograph
Nearby sites: SX75107650

Haytor Chambered Tomb

OS Map: SX 75766 76409
NMR record: SX 77 NE 65
HER record: MDV61778
ShortName: CN HaytorTomb
Butler map: 1.f
Butler Vol 5: p.158 & Fig.97
Notes: Haytor chambered tomb to the west of the Haytor track. Circular mound circa 4 metres diameter surrounds a rectangular chamber, circa 3 metres by 1.4 metres, tapering slightly towards one end, partially filled with soil. One of pair of larger slabs at entrance on downhill edge of mound has collapsed inwards, the other stands c irca 1 metre above interior. Most of slabs forming sides of chamber appear in place but capstones have been removed. Entrance oriented south of east.
Nearby sites: SX75777641

Rippon Tor Stone Ring Cairn Circle

OS Map: SX 74664 75581
NMR record: SX 77 NW 48
HER record: MDV7539
Megalithic Portal: 17833
PMD: Rippon Tor Summit
Alternate name: Rippon Tor 1 Stone Ring Cairn Circle
ShortName: RC RipponTor 1
Butler map: 5.5.1
Grinsell: ILS 1
Notes: "Cairn built around tor. Diameter 25 metres, height 4.0 metres." "Ring cairn, internal diameter 4.5 metres, with bank 1.0 metre wide and 0.4 metres high. In the centre is a boulder 3.0 metres wide, 2.0 metres thick, 2.5 metres high." NMR D
Nearby sites: SX74667558

Rippon Tor 2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 74685 75577
NMR record: SX 77 NW 48
HER record: MDV51161
ShortName: CN:RipponTor 2
Butler map: 5.5.2
Notes: NMR C "Small cairn south of Rippon Tor cairn and immediately contiguous to scatter from it. Diam 4.0 metres, height 0.45 metres." Grid reference given here is to a small structure circa 6 metres in diameter visible in Google Earth - this might be this cairn but it is not certain.
Nearby sites: SX74697558

Rippon Tor 3 Reported Cist

OS Map: SX 74698 75537
NMR record: SX 77 NW 48
HER record: MDV7434
PMD: Rippon Tor Summit
ShortName: CN RipponTor 3
Butler map: 5.5.3
Grinsell: ILS 2
Turner: A62
Notes: NMR Cairn 'B' at SX 7474 7547 has been considerably mutilated in the eastern quadrant where it is barely 0.5m. high; otherwise it is up to 3.0m. high. Butler states "Composed of small stones except for a large slab lying at the edge, this is probably the site of the cist referred to by Crossing as almost covered by turf, though he makes no mention of the cairn.
Nearby sites: SX74707554

Rippon Tor 3 (duplicate) Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 74680 75530
NMR record: SX 77 NW 48
HER: No record found
PMD: Rippon Tor E.
ShortName: CT?RipponT Dup
Notes: Rippon Tor E. Duplicate of HER 7434. PMD: Stone setting round a possible central cist. 2.3m x 3.5m N-S. Very slight retaining bank 6.5m dia. Ring bank now under reave. Probably the same as SX 7468 7553.. This record originated in the now deleted HER record MDV51157. It is being kept here so there is a full listing of the entries on PMD.
Nearby sites: SX74687553

Rippon Tor 4 Cairn

OS Map: SX 74724 75501
NMR record: SX 77 NW 48
HER record: MDV13721
ShortName: CN RipponTor 4
Butler map: 5.5.4
Grinsell: ILS 3
Notes: NMR B?
Nearby sites: SX74727550

Rippon Tor 5 Cairn

OS Map: SX 74750 75479
NMR record: SX 77 NW 48
HER record: MDV7433
ShortName: CN RipponTor 5
Butler map: 5.5.5
Grinsell: ILS 4
Notes: NMR A? "One of a pair of large cairns south-east of Rippon Tor. It is located on a reave but probably predates it. A much spread and turf-covered cairn of up to 25 metres diameter, 87 metres south-east of Rippon Tor outcrop".
Nearby sites: SX74757548

Lower Horridge 1 Cairn

OS Map: SX 75505 75151
NMR record: SX 77 NE 21
HER record: MDV8100
ShortName: CN:Lower Hor1
Butler map: 5.6.1
Grinsell: ILS 7
Nearby sites: SX75517515

Lower Horridge 2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 75527 75127
NMR record: SX 77 NE 21
HER record: MDV8101
ShortName: CN:Lower Hor2
Butler map: 5.6.2
Grinsell: ILS 8
Nearby sites: SX75537513

Bagtor Wood Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 75830 74967
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV62344
ShortName: CN?BagtorWood
Butler map: 4.3
Butler Vol 5: p.202 & Fig.146
Notes: Ruined hut or cairn at the centre of ovoid enclosure. Was obscured by vegetation at the time of the survey.
Nearby sites: SX75837497

Halsanger Clearance Cairn

OS Map: SX 74450 75220
NMR record: SX 77 NW 52
HER record: MDV7548
ShortName: CN:Halsanger
Butler map: 5.7
Grinsell: ASH 1
Nearby sites: SX74457522

Horridge Common 1 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 75722 74552
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV62331
ShortName: CN?Horridge 1
Butler map: 6.1
Notes: Butler refers to a cairn amongst the huts within the Horridge Common enclosed settlement. THE HER has this feature listed as a round house but the entry does mention Butler's description as a cairn. See also duplicate record for the round house entry SiteID=6686 (HER=62331)
Nearby sites: SX75727455

Horridge Common 2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 75650 74950
NMR record: SX 77 SE 2
HER record: MDV8217
ShortName: CN:Horridge 2
Butler map: 6.3
Grinsell: ILS 9
Nearby sites: SX75657495

Top Tor Cairn

OS Map: SX 73574 76472
NMR record: SX 77 NW 7
HER record: MDV7455
Megalithic Portal: 32049
Alternate name: Top Tor 1 Cairn
ShortName: CN:Top Tor 1
Butler map: 9.7.1
Grinsell: WID 11
Notes: NMR C. "Cairns on Top Tor. Two inconspicuous cairns lie about 80 metres apart beside the track which follows the crest of the ridge on the north side of Top Tor. The cairn to the south is smaller at circa 7.5 metres diameter by 0.2 metres high and has a circle of ten slabs showing above the turf around the edge. This cairn has been reported to have a stone row running downhill to the north but the few earthfast slabs in this direction are no more numerous than elsewhere on the hillside and this seems unconvincing. Nearly 100 metres east of the southern cairn is an arc of three standing and two flat slabs representing about a quarter of a circle. The interior is quite flat except for a shallow trench but possibly the stones originally surrounded a cairn which has been completely removed. Other details: Map 9, Site 7."
Nearby sites: SX73577647

Top Tor 2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 73545 76555
NMR record: SX 77 NW 7
HER record: MDV7457
ShortName: CN:Top Tor 2
Butler map: 9.7.2
Grinsell: WID 12
Notes: NMR A
Nearby sites: SX73557656

Top Tor 3 Cairn Circle

OS Map: SX 73657 76472
NMR record: SX 77 NW 7
HER record: MDV7456
ShortName: CN:Top Tor 3
Butler map: 9.7.3
Butler Vol 5: p.46 & Fig.25
Barrow Report: 53
Notes: NMR B "One of a group of three, recognisable mainly by four large in situ boulders which represent the remains of a substantial retaining circle. However, much of the fabric has been removed leaving only a faint, roughly circular earthwork of 9.5 metres diameter."
Nearby sites: SX73667647

Tunhill Rocks Settlement

OS Map: SX 73200 75800
NMR record: SX 77 NW 35
HER record: MDV7438
Megalithic Portal: 31984
ShortName: ST:TunhillRock
Nearby sites: SX73207580

Foales Arrishes Settlement

OS Map: SX 73700 75800
NMR record: SX 77 NW 34
HER record: MDV7415
Megalithic Portal: 4623
ShortName: ST:FoalesArris
Nearby sites: SX73707580

Chittleford Hill Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 72500 75400
NMR record: SX 77 NW 105
HER record: MDV7469
ShortName: CN:Chittlefo1
Notes: Possible site of a Neolithic barrow found in the field walls by the roadside near the top of Chittleford Hill. A very large orthostat, or shiner (sic), standing here which may have been a capstone. Nearby fields called "Shelstone Lay" point to the existence of a cromlech. Also the walls of the field contain a large number of very large slabs and pillar-like stones such as might have formed a megalthic tomb.
Nearby sites: SX72507540

Blackslade Down Cist

OS Map: SX 73416 75519
NMR record: SX 77 NW 36
HER record: MDV7437
Megalithic Portal: 32071
PMD: Blackslade Down
ShortName: CT Blackslade
Butler map: 9.8
Butler Vol 5: p.47 & Fig.26
DPD page: 129
Grinsell: WID 14
Barrow Report: 53 56
Notes: Butler Vol. 1. Map 9.8 (photo on p.61, diagram Vol. 5. p.47). Lethbridge diagram p.129 and photo bottom p.129.
Nearby sites: SX73427552

Wittaburrow Cairn

OS Map: SX 73353 75214
NMR record: SX 77 NW 38
HER record: MDV7537
Megalithic Portal: 32069
Alternate name: Wittaburrow 1 Cairn
ShortName: CN:Wittaburr 1
Butler map: 9.9.1
Grinsell: WID 15
Notes: "A large stony round cairn, south of Wittaburrow. The mound has a 25 metre diameter at base, but the structure has been much altered, probably robbed, and is now quite low in places. A ‘bite-shaped’ section is missing from the main mound on the south-eastern side where a smaller cairn, which is unlikely to be an original feature, stands within the original spread of the monument. Two large hollows have been dug into the main mound which, overall, survives in a very uneven state."
Nearby sites: SX73357521

Wittaburrow 2 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 73358 75201
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN?Wittaburr 2
Butler map: 9.9.2
Notes: Butler: "A low mound of stones 5.0 m across and 0.3 m high, with a square pit at the centre lies 30 m to the south-east [of Wittaburrow]". Not listed on NMR or HER.
Nearby sites: SX73367520

Pudsham Down Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 73270 74850
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV31062
ShortName: CN?PudshamDown
Nearby sites: SX73277485

Seven Lords' Lands Encircled Cairn

OS Map: SX 74127 76237
NMR record: SX 77 NW 47
HER record: MDV7396
Megalithic Portal: 3454
PMD: Seven Lord's Lands
Alternate name: Sevon Lords Lands Encircled Cairn
ShortName: EC 7LordsLands
Butler map: 9.10
Butler Vol 5: p.51 & Fig.29
Grinsell: WID 13
Turner: F1
Barrow Report: 53
Notes: A cairn from 0.8m. to 1.2m. high, with a minor central excavation 0.5m. deep. The kerb retaining circle extends round the west and north quadrants.
Nearby sites: SX74137624

Hemsworthy Gate (E of ) Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 74570 76120
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV26840
ShortName: CN?Hemsworthy
Grinsell: B:ILS 4a
Notes: Shaft of C19 tin mine, on some maps as cairn. T. Greeves
Nearby sites: SX74577612

Cold Cross East Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 73999 74292
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV30642
ShortName: CN Cold Cross
Butler map: 10.
Butler Vol 5: p.54 & Fig.32
Nearby sites: SX74007429

Blackslade Ford 1 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 73701 75120
NMR record: SX 77 NW 82
HER record: MDV20169
ShortName: CN:Blackslad 1
Butler map: 10.
Grinsell: WID 24
Nearby sites: SX73707512

Blackslade Ford 2 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 73630 75197
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV7534
ShortName: CN:Blackslad 2
Butler map: 10.7
Butler Vol 5: p.54 & Fig.31
Nearby sites: SX73637520

Blackslade Ford 3 Cairn

OS Map: SX 73790 74980
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV30638
ShortName: CN:Blackslad 3
Butler map: 10.
Nearby sites: SX73797498

Blackslade Ford 4 Cairn

OS Map: SX 73827 74872
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV30634
ShortName: CN Blackslad 4
Butler map: 10.
Nearby sites: SX73837487

Blackslade Ford (culvert) Reported Cist

OS Map: SX 73720 75060
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV22823
PMD: Blackslade Ford
ShortName: CNxBlackslad 5
Notes: Site of cist reported to Greeves by D. Brewer in 1984 (SX7372 7506). Visited 13/2/1984. Thought to be a culvert. Features lies immediately on the north-east side of the track to Tunhill from near Cold East Cross. It lies a little east of south from a bound stone marked EPB 1837 and about 70 paces from the bound stone.
Nearby sites: SX73727506

Buckland Common 1 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 73772 73930
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN-Buckland 1
Butler map: 10.
Notes: Linear arrangement of mounds incorporated into boundary. Could be prehistoric cairns.
Nearby sites: SX73777393

Buckland Common 2 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 73742 73865
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV30646
ShortName: CN Buckland 2
Butler map: 10.
Notes: HER: "A flattened and spread round cairn straddles the parish boundary between Buckland and Ashburton. A boundary stone is set into the cairn."
Nearby sites: SX73747387

Buckland Common 3 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 73588 73559
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN?Buckland 3
Butler map: 10.8
Notes: Linear arrangement of mounds incorporated into boundary. Could be prehistoric cairns.
Nearby sites: SX73597356

Buckland Common 4 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 73587 73556
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN?Buckland 4
Butler map: 10.8
Notes: Linear arrangement of mounds incorporated into boundary. Could be prehistoric cairns.
Nearby sites: SX73597356

Buckland Ridge (N) Cairn

OS Map: SX 73579 73510
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV30631
ShortName: CN:Buckland 5
Turner: A47
Nearby sites: SX73587351

Buckland Down Reported Cist

OS Map: SX 73500 74000
NMR: No record found
HER: No record found
PMD: Buckland Down
ShortName: CT?Buckland 6
Notes: Butler Vol 1 p.115. One burial mound awaiting rediscovery is the cairncircle surrounding a cist on 'Buckland Down' mentioned in Note 43 to Carrington's poem on Dartmoor.
Nearby sites: SX73507400