Guide to the Monuments on Holne Moor

Table of Ritual and Burial Monuments on Holne Moor

Holne Moor 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 Holne Moor

Holne Lee N. Cairn

OS Map: SX 68864 70324
NMR record: SX 67 SE 36
HER record: MDV6472
ShortName: CN:HolneLee N
Butler map: 59.1
Grinsell: HOL 7
Nearby sites: SX68867032

Venford Brook W.1 Cairn

OS Map: SX 68220 71540
NMR record: SX 67 SE 113
HER record: MDV13003
ShortName: CN:Venford W1
Butler map: 60.8.1
Notes: Within the parallel reave system and 3m from a lynchet. More probably a ritual function rather than a clearance cairn.
Nearby sites: SX68227154

Venford Brook W.2 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 68130 71460
NMR record: SX 67 SE 246
HER: No record found
ShortName: CNxVenford W2
Butler map: 60.8.2
Notes: Clearance cairns?
Nearby sites: SX68137146

Venford Brook S.1 Cairn

OS Map: SX 67630 70470
NMR record: SX 67 SE 231
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN?Venford S1
Butler map: 60.8.3
Notes: Two disturbed hut circles overlain by later clearance material lie at the foot of a steep N facing slope above the right bank of the W tributary of the Venford Brook. The huts, at SX 67597048 and SX 67597046, are largely infilled with small boulders and rocks and measure 6.5m and 5.5m in external diameter respectively.
Nearby sites: SX67637047

Venford Brook S.2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 67640 70460
NMR record: SX 67 SE 231
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN?Venford S2
Butler map: 60.8.4
Notes: Two disturbed hut circles overlain by later clearance material lie at the foot of a steep N facing slope above the right bank of the W tributary of the Venford Brook. The huts, at SX 67597048 and SX 67597046, are largely infilled with small boulders and rocks and measure 6.5m and 5.5m in external diameter respectively.
Nearby sites: SX67647046

Aller Brook E Cist

OS Map: SX 67813 71682
NMR record: SX 67 SE 274
HER record: MDV20166
Megalithic Portal: 45799
PMD: Aller Brook E.
Alternate name: Aller Brook E. Cist
ShortName: CT Aller Brk E
Butler map: 60.11
DPD page: 90
Notes: Butler Vol. 4. Map 60.11 (diagram p.181). "only the four sides of the cist remain (1.0 x 0.5m), orientated WNW. Around it are two or three flat slabs of the retaining circle but the cover stone has gone as have all traces of the mound" (Butler p. 182). Lethbridge diagram and photo bottom left p.90
Nearby sites: SX67817168

Venford Reservoir S.1 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 68270 70500
NMR record: SX 67 SE 264
HER record: MDV113643
ShortName: CNxVenfordRes1
Butler map: 60.20.1
Notes: Clearance cairns?
Nearby sites: SX68277050

Venford Reservoir S.2 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 68260 70460
NMR record: SX 67 SE 264
HER record: MDV113643
ShortName: CNxVenfordRes2
Butler map: 60.20.2
Notes: Clearance cairns?
Nearby sites: SX68267046

Venford Reservoir S.3 Cairn

OS Map: SX 68110 70500
NMR record: SX 67 SE 280
HER record: MDV64120
ShortName: CN:VenfordRes3
Butler map: 60.20.3
Nearby sites: SX68117050

Venford Reported Cist

OS Map: SX 68432 70973
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV47779
PMD: Venford
ShortName: CT?Venford 1
Notes: Radcliffe: "TAPG report while reservoir low. Walls, clearance cairn and cairn, with flint flakes. Cairn 4m dia with possible cist slab 1m by 0.5m by 0.2m. Probably at 6843 7097, found 29/9/03."
Nearby sites: SX68437097

Venford 2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 67940 71000
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV12987
ShortName: CN:Venford 2
Notes: small cairn of boulders, 1.2m diameter, 0.4m high, turf covered. More probably of ritual origin than a clearance cairn.
Nearby sites: SX67947100

Venford 3 Cairn

OS Map: SX 67970 71010
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV12988
ShortName: CN:Venford 3
Notes: small turf covered cairn of boulders, 1.9m diameter, 0.3m high. More probably of ritual origin than a clearance cairn.
Nearby sites: SX67977101

Venford 4 Cairn

OS Map: SX 68200 71170
NMR record: SX 67 SE 112
HER record: MDV13000
ShortName: CN:Venford 4
Notes: Cairn A. A group of three cairns, more probably ritual than for field clearance. Two are joined by a short bank. Within the parallel reave system.
Nearby sites: SX68207117

Venford 5 Cairn

OS Map: SX 68200 71160
NMR record: SX 67 SE 112
HER record: MDV13001
ShortName: CN:Venford 5
Notes: Cairn B. A group of three cairns, more probably ritual than for field clearance. Two are joined by a short bank. Within the parallel reave system.
Nearby sites: SX68207116

Venford 6 Cairn

OS Map: SX 68190 71160
NMR record: SX 67 SE 112
HER record: MDV13002
ShortName: CN:Venford 6
Notes: Cairn C. A group of three cairns, more probably ritual than for field clearance. Two are joined by a short bank. Within the parallel reave system.
Nearby sites: SX68197116

Venford 8 Cairn

OS Map: SX 68200 71100
NMR record: SX 67 SE 112
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN:Venford 8
Notes: Master record (duplicate), see individual records. A group of three cairns, more probably ritual than for field clearance. Two are joined by a short bank. Within the parallel reave system.

Update 07/12/24 the HER record MDV12999 that this record previously referred to has since been deleted presumably as a duplicate.
Nearby sites: SX68207110

O Brook 1 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66317 71481
NMR record: SX 67 SE 211
HER record: MDV103600
ShortName: CN:O Brook 1
Notes: "Three small cairns lie in open moorland on the crest of the steep valley side above the left bank of the O'Brook immediately S of the current limit of cultivation."
Nearby sites: SX66327148

O Brook 2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66418 71767
NMR record: SX 67 SE 208
HER record: MDV103602
ShortName: CN:O Brook 2
Notes: "Ruinous cairn lies within a settlement complex containing nine hut circles and several irregular enclosures on the gentle north-east facing slope of Slade Newtake immediately south of Saddle Bridge."
Nearby sites: SX66427177

O Brook 3 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66199 71321
NMR record: SX 67 SE 206
HER record: MDV103603
ShortName: CN:O Brook 3
Notes: "A small, circular heather-covered stony mound lies on a slope above the valley of the O'Brook. The mound measures 4.4m N-S, 4,5m E-W and is approximately 0.8m high. It is probably a burial cairn, and may well be associated with the Bronze Age settlement in the immediate area"
Nearby sites: SX66207132

O Brook 4 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66530 71360
NMR record: SX 67 SE 116
HER record: MDV12760
ShortName: CN?O Brook 4
Notes: "a cairn 2.5m diameter, 0.4m high, in moorland. About half the circumference is kerbed, and the centre incorporates a modicum of stone, now turf-covered. Either a sepulchral feature or a solitary clearance cairn."
Nearby sites: SX66537136

O Brook 5 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 66500 71900
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV6410
ShortName: CN?O Brook 5
Notes: 1902 (burnard) holne moor above saddle bridge; two cairns destroyed.
Nearby sites: SX66507190

O Brook East Hut 8 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66710 71260
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV61477
ShortName: CN:O Brook 6
Butler map: 60.22.8
Notes: "cairn partly overlying a hut circle within a partially enclosed hut settlement 430m nw of horn's cross"
Nearby sites: SX66717126

Hooten Wheals Mine Cairn

OS Map: SX 65603 71063
NMR record: SX 67 SE 212
HER record: MDV103597
ShortName: CN:HootenWheal
Notes: " A robbed cairn 50m SW of the ruinous former Hooten Wheals Mine offices on the S flank of Down Ridge. The turf covered stony mound is circular with a diameter of 8.0m and stands 0.75m high. A square hollow 1.6m wide, probably the result of an unrecorded excavation, lies centrally in the mound with a spoil heap on its NW margin."
Nearby sites: SX65607106

Down Ridge Stone Circle

OS Map: SX 65516 72084
NMR record: SX 67 SE 64
HER record: MDV6400
Megalithic Portal: 863
PMD: Down Ridge Stone Circle
ShortName: SC DownRidge
DPD page: 92
Turner: G9
Notes: Also known as Hexworthy Circle. "situated on a gentle north facing slope overlooking the valley of the River Dart. The stone circle measures 25 meters in diameter and is denoted by five upright granite slabs, standing up to 1.45 meters high, which are confined to its south western sector. A further six recumbent stones lie where they have fallen. The stone circle was partially excavated in 1904 by the Dartmoor Exploration Committee and their work revealed the original ground surface covered with charcoal. 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." [HER MDV6400]. For photos of this site, see: Megalithic Portal: Down Ridge - Stone Circle
Nearby sites: SX65527208

Down Ridge Clearance Cairn

OS Map: SX 65775 71734
NMR record: SX 67 SE 210
HER record: MDV103601
ShortName: CN?DownRidg 2
Notes: "A low circular turf covered mound measuring 5.0 metres in diameter and standing to a maximum of 0.6 metres high. There is no evidence to suggest the presence of a kerb or cist. Its definite interpretation as a cairn is marred by some small scale tinners diggings immediately to the NW and its unusual position on the slope."
Nearby sites: SX65787173

Holne Moor Stone Row

OS Map: SX 67431 71042
NMR record: SX 67 SE 72
HER record: MDV12983
Megalithic Portal: 1981
The Stone Rows of GB: Holne Moor
PMD: Holne Moor Stone Row
ShortName: SR Holne Moor
Butler map: 60.25
DPD page: 90
Notes: "A standing stone and triple stone row lying in a secluded position, across the head of a shallow, north facing valley. It measures 147 metres long with rows on average 1.5 m apart. The stones, fifty three of which were located, have a maximum height of 0.2 m and are spaced about 1.1 m apart, each opposite the stone of the adjacent row. There is also a possible former standing stone which is now recumbent."
Nearby sites: SX67437104

Holne Ridge N. (nr Stone Row) Cist

OS Map: SX 66730 71090
NMR record: SX 67 SE 60
HER: No record found
Megalithic Portal: 45800
ShortName: CT HolneRidgSR
DPD page: 91
Notes: Located near to cairn heading fragmentary remains of Holne Ridge stone row. Lethbridge photo top of p.90-91, diagram p.90. Not listed in the HER or by Butler. Whilst this certainly looks like a genuine cist as can be seen in the photo it is almost certainly fallen stones from the stone row that are loose on the ground and happen to be arranged to give the appearance of a cist.
Nearby sites: SX66737109

Holne Moor (N) Stone Ring Cairn Circle

OS Map: SX 68090 71620
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV26266
Megalithic Portal: 45830
ShortName: RC:HolneMoor N
Turner: A16
Notes: "Possible cairn in corner of a field." "Stone ring 9.5m diam internally, with bank 1.2m wide and 0.4m high. Joined on w side by reave (turner)." No NMR record.
Nearby sites: SX68097162

Holne Moor Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 67990 71450
NMR record: SX 67 SE 118
HER record: MDV6446
ShortName: CN?Holne Moo1
Grinsell: HOL 19
Notes: It is uncertain what Grinsell is referring to.
Nearby sites: SX67997145

Holne Ridge Stone Row

OS Map: SX 66741 71080
NMR record: SX 67 SE 60
HER record: MDV61453
Megalithic Portal: 27341
The Stone Rows of GB: Holne Ridge
PMD: Holne Ridge Stone Row
Alternate name: Holne Ridge North Stone Row
ShortName: SR Holne Ridge
Butler map: 60.26
DPD page: 90
Notes: "One or two cairns and a short probably unfinished stone row lie in the north west facing hollow above Horse Ford on the O Brook. The cairn described by Authority 2 lies at the south end of the site with the surviving stones of the stone row to the north. As so few stones survive the exact form and extent of the rows is impossible to determine but there may have been as many as three parallel rows approximately 1.0 metre apart. Overlying or abutting the east row at SX 6672 7109 is a low turf covered mound 3.0 metes in diameter and 0.4 metres high. It is not clear whether this feature forms part of the monument or if it is associated with the shallow turf cuttings to the east."
Nearby sites: SX66747108

Holne Ridge N.1 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 67000 71750
NMR record: SX 67 SE 57
HER: No record found
ShortName: CN?HolneRidg 1
Butler map: 60.26.1
Grinsell: HOL 6a
Barrow Report: 24
Notes: Possibly destroyed. This record used to link to HER MDV12980 which has since been deleted. This record is bein retained as it refers to a Grinsell record of a cairn presumed destroyed.
Nearby sites: SX67007175

Holne Ridge N.2 stone row Cairn

OS Map: SX 66732 71089
NMR record: SX 67 SE 60
HER record: MDV61452
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg 2
Butler map: 60.26.2
Grinsell: HOL 6b
Notes: Cairn associated with stone alignment and a second cairn to the east. This cairn stands a short distance north of the alignment and survives as a 3.8 metre diameter mound standing up to 0.4 metres high.
Nearby sites: SX66737109

Holne Ridge N. Cist

OS Map: SX 66641 71138
NMR record: SX 67 SE 110
HER record: MDV12997
Megalithic Portal: 45800
PMD: Holne Ridge N.
Alternate name: Holne Ridge N.3 Cist
ShortName: CT HolneRidg 3
Butler map: 60.26.3
DPD page: 91
Notes: Butler Cist 3 Vol. 4. Map 60.26 (diagram p.195). "A probable but unusual cist is on steep well drained, NW facing slope. It utilizes the south east side of a massive slab, 1.6m long, 0.4m thick and 0.7m high, with smaller slabs 0.6m to 0.9m long and 0.2m thick, which barely project above ground level". NW of of Holne Ridge stone row. Lethbridge p.90-91, diagram p.90, photo bottom p.91
Nearby sites: SX66647114

Holne Ridge N.4 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66920 71190
NMR record: SX 67 SE 111
HER record: MDV12998
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg 4
Butler map: 60.26.4
Grinsell: HOL 1
Nearby sites: SX66927119

Horns Cross N. Cairn

OS Map: SX 66941 71187
NMR record: SX 67 SE 41
HER record: MDV26276
Megalithic Portal: 27342
Alternate name: Holne Ridge N.5 Cairn
ShortName: CN HolneRidg 5
Butler map: 60.26.5
Grinsell: HOL 2
Notes: "A turf and bracken covered Bronze Age cairn forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne Ridge. The mound measures 14 metres by 14.4 metres in diameter and standing to a height of 1.4 metres. " Butler cairn 5 map 60.15. UPDATE 03/01/2023 This record formerly linked with MDV12975 which has been deleted.

It is unclear but this record now realte to MDV26276 which is a "tin-working spoil dump".
Nearby sites: SX66947119

Horns Cross Stone Ring Cairn Circle

OS Map: SX 66921 71125
NMR record: SX 67 SE 40
HER record: MDV6475
Megalithic Portal: 27342
Alternate name: Holne Ridge N.6 Stone Ring Cairn Circle
ShortName: RC:HolneRidg 6
Butler map: 60.26.6
DPD page: 90
Grinsell: HOL 3
Turner: A35
Notes: "Remains of cairn; one of eight cairns forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne Ridge. Truncated cairn, or ring cairn, gap in north-east. Diameter 14 metres, height 0.3 metres."
Nearby sites: SX66927113

Holne Ridge N.7 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66920 71040
NMR record: SX 67 SE 61
HER record: MDV6411
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg 7
Butler map: 60.26.7
Grinsell: HOL 4
Barrow Report: 24
Notes: One of eight cairns forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne Ridge. Cairn near horn's cross. It has been excavated; there is a trench through the centre. A hole was sunk in 'calm', and contained charcoal and bones.
Nearby sites: SX66927104

Holne Ridge N.8 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66910 70990
NMR record: SX 67 SE 256
HER record: MDV61451
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg 8
Butler map: 60.26.8
Notes: ? NMR B
Nearby sites: SX66917099

Holne Moor Stone Ring Cairn Circle

OS Map: SX 66919 70785
NMR record: SX 67 SE 38
HER record: MDV6474
Megalithic Portal: 27342
Alternate name: Holne Ridge N.9 Stone Ring Cairn Circle
ShortName: RC HolneRidg 9
Butler map: 60.26.9
Grinsell: HOL 5
Turner: A12
Notes: "One of four cairns 310 metres south of Horn's Cross forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne Ridge. Ring cairn measuring 19.9 metres in diameter, height 0.9 metres. Has a 4 metre wide bank standing up to 0.9 metres high surrounding an 11.9 metre diameter internal area. A stone on the inner face of the east side of the cairn has been cut by tear and feather."
Nearby sites: SX66927079

Holne Ridge N.10 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66904 70672
NMR record: SX 67 SE 37
HER record: MDV6473
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg10
Butler map: 60.26.10
Grinsell: HOL 6
Nearby sites: SX66907067

Holne Ridge N.11 Cairn Circle

OS Map: SX 66698 70020
NMR record: SX 67 SE 220
HER record: MDV61447
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg11
Butler map: 60.26.11
Notes: Ring cairn
Nearby sites: SX66707002

Holne Ridge N.12 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66740 71078
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV12981
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg12
Nearby sites: SX66747108

Holne Ridge N.13 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66990 70457
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV61448
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg13
Notes: Cairn forms part of a cairn cemetery on Holne Ridge. Diameter 7.6 metres, height 1.0 metre. Central pit 1.1 metres wide, 0.6 metres deep. At the south-east end is a large slab which may represent a stone from a displaced cist.
Nearby sites: SX66997046

Holne Ridge N.14 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66720 70820
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV61456
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg14
Notes: Cairn built upon an earlier stone hut circle situated within an agglomerated enclosure 330m sw of horn's cross
Nearby sites: SX66727082

Holne Ridge N.15 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66940 70130
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV6476
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg15
Nearby sites: SX66947013

Holne Ridge N.16 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66810 71090
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV6506
ShortName: CN:HolneRidg16
Nearby sites: SX66817109

Holne Ridge N.17 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 66559 70716
NMR record: SX 67 SE 223
HER record: MDV103596
ShortName: CN?HolneRidg17
Notes: A cluster of five small cairns on the slope above the left bank of Yonder Dry Lake. With one exception the cairns are all slightly ovoid with diameters in the range 3.5 metres to 7.0 metres and stand an average of 0.7m high. The two northernmost cairns have been heavily disturbed. None of these features display evidence of cists or kerbs.
Nearby sites: SX66567072

Hexworthy (near) Reported Cist

OS Map: SX 65500 72500
NMR record: SX 67 SE 117
HER record: MDV13004
PMD: Hexworthy
ShortName: CT?Hexworthy
Grinsell: LYD 109
Notes: Destroyed for road building, report by Burnard
Nearby sites: SX65507250

Yartor Down S.E. (site of) Reported Cist

OS Map: SX 68280 73290
NMR record: SX 67 SE 25
HER record: MDV6422
PMD: Ollsbrim
ShortName: CT?YartorDown
Notes: A cist was alleged at this location but there is no ground evidence to substantiate this. (Worth 1948)
Nearby sites: SX68287329