Prehistoric sites within 3km of SX 77000 87500
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!
About the database listings: In all listings clicking on the photo or the site name will open a page for the site with a larger photo and further details from the database. The database now has over 6680 records covering nearly all publicly listed sites on Dartmoor including around 4800 round houses. This level of detail is of interest to archaeologists but tends to swamp listings of sites more likely to be of interest for walkers. For this reason, the listings default to around 550 core sites only. These are the stone circles, stone rows and the ring cairns listed by Turner. The default search radius is 2 km. The controls below the map can be used to start a new search by entering a 6- or 8-digit reference (without the prefix "SX"). The search radius can be specified and you can add incremental Display layers of detail on top of the core sites. If using a more detailed layer you will need to decrease the search radius to avoid getting hundreds of search results.
- Core sites Default listing of core sites consisting of stone circles & rows and some of the major ring cairns.
- Plus cairns adds approx. 1000 cairns and other minor sites not included in the core listings but excluding round houses.
- Plus round houses adds approx. 4800 round houses.
- Plus non-sites adds in the records for sites that no longer exist or are not prehistoric sites.
- Plus duplicates adds records excluded as duplicates. Those maybe duplicate records in external listings (e.g. the Historic Environment Records). For example, some sites have been identified as cairns in some listings and interpreted as round houses in other listings and both records appear.
These listings have incorporated, matched up and merged all of the records from all of the major archaeological listings including: Worth, Grinsell, Turner, Butler, Bill Radcliffe, Sandy Gerrard, Megalithic Portal, the National Monument Records and the Historic Environment Records. The author would like to thank Bill, Sandy, the lovely people both at Megalithic Portal (especially Anne Tate who did an amazing job to link listings) and at ACE Archaeology for collaborative work over the years to synchronise and correct listings across the various websites which now interlink. A culmination of years of work the final merger of cairn records took 3 months of cross referencing in 2017 the result being a snapshot of the records at that time. This data has in turn been refined since by field work and research. The round house data was supplied by Sandy Gerrard. Grid references are in order of accuracy: from Google Earth satellite, if visible and found, from a Garmin GPS reading, if visited by the author and from the literature otherwise. Individual site pages will state the source of the grid reference and provide satellite imagery. If a site listing lacks a photo it has not yet been visited by the author in which case the grid reference is from the literature.
Currently the database only includes sites which can be represented by a grid reference. Reaves are not included as they require GIS shape technology which is beyond the current capability of this system. To see the sources for the records, look at the tables on the resources menu. The database listings can also be viewed on a Google map and downloaded as GPS datasets for Garmin devices.
Corrections, or any feedback or suggestions are very welcome, email: info@dartmoorwalks.org.uk.
NOTE: Clicking on the icons for each monument in the map will give the name of the site. You can zoom in and out and drag the map around.
List of sites within 3km of SX 77000 87500
Mardon Down Round House
OS Map: SX 7658 8720
HER: MDV26658
ShortName: HT:Mardon Do1
Notes: This "hut circle" was not located during recent work by the DPA to clear the archaeology on Mardon Down. The HER entry says "(13/02/2021) Mardon Down volunteers have been unable to locate this potential feature and although did identify a Second World War feature nearby at SX 76572 87156". Peter Butcher explains in the article "Mardon Down - On the Final Lap" in Dartmoor Matters (DPA Publication) Winter 2021-2022 No.207 that: "we did however establish, and report, a misrepresentation of one [site] identifed as a [hut] circle on the OS mapping of the area. Close inspection established it as a mortar (or similiar) pit of WW 2 origin"
Nearby sites: SX 7658 8720
Distance: 0.52km
Mardon Down Round House
OS Map: SX 7705 8740
HER: MDV105980
ShortName: HT:Mardon Do2
Nearby sites: SX 7705 8740
Distance: 0.11km
Butterdon Down 1 Cairn
OS Map: SX 75038 88428
HER: MDV20070
ShortName: CN:Butterdon 1
Grinsell: MOR 7
Notes: On a small rise on the summit of Butterdon Down are two cairns, lying in an area of scattered boulders. This cairn measures 5.0 meters in diameter and is 1.3 meters high. Some stones could be modern additions. NMR 445433 A.
Nearby sites: SX 75038 88428
Distance: 2.17km
Butterdon Down 2 Cairn
OS Map: SX 75044 88423
HER: MDV20071
ShortName: CN:Butterdon 2
Grinsell: MOR 8
Notes: Cairn, 7.8 meters in diameter and 1.1 meters high. It has an inner kerb 3.0 meters in diameter exposed by a central excavation pit. On the east side of this cairn there is an apparent semi-circle of spaced stones of rounded, earthfast, boulders. Possibly a peristalith. NMR 445433 B.
Nearby sites: SX 75044 88423
Distance: 2.16km
Pepperdon Round House
OS Map: SX 7767 8558
HER: MDV26633
ShortName: HT:Pepperdon1
Nearby sites: SX 7767 8558
Distance: 2.03km
Pepperdon Round House
OS Map: SX 7772 8558
HER: MDV26634
ShortName: HT:Pepperdon2
Nearby sites: SX 7772 8558
Distance: 2.05km
Mardon Down (NE of Headless Cross) Cairn
OS Map: SX 77463 87921
HER: MDV20073
ShortName: CN Mardon NE2
Notes: The source of this record is the HER which gives a location of SX 77500 87928. From Google Earth this would place this site deep in bracken cover. Around 40 m due West there is a clerigthat looks plausibly like a cairn from Google Earth. This is just a few meters north of the possible cist. PDW is assuming the HER record is referring to this location i.e. SX 77463 87921. Also it seems likely that HER record 20073 refers to the same site despite different NGRs - it is little to the north - so possible duplicate entries.
UPDATE 31/12/2022. This record is now linked to MDV20073, record MDV105931 has been deleted.
Nearby sites: SX 77463 87921
Distance: 0.63km
Heltor Rock (site of) Reported Cist
OS Map: SX 7996 8703
HER: MDV8312
PMD: Hel Tor Rock
ShortName: CT?Heltor Ro1
Notes: Cist at heltor rock. Cist not located during field work and no further information obtained
Nearby sites: SX 7996 8703
Distance: 3.00km
Blackpool (Mardon) Ancient Pool
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76757 87350
HER: MDV19004
ShortName: PO Blackpool
Notes: "Marked as an enclosure on historic mapping, this is actually a seasonal pond. Surveyed in 2017, its outline shape is unevenly rounded on the western end. Its appearance, with small scarped edges, suggest it was hand dug and large boulders around the edge have been left in situ. The hollow measures 22 metres by 17 metres but is only 0.5 metres deep. An alignment of small stones in the base of the hollow may be a more recent addition. There is no indication as to where material removed from the hollow was dumped. Cannot be confirmed for certain as a dewpond and no evidence was found for this ever having been the site of a ring cairn, as previously suggested. Recorded as Black Pool in 1912. Included in Greeves' list (2019) of 'sacred pools', with potentially prehistoric origins."
Nearby sites: SX 76757 87350
Distance: 0.29km
Butterdon Hill (nr. Moretonhampstead) Standing Stone
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Walk: The Neolithic tombs of Cuckoo Ball & Corringdon Ball
OS Map: SX 74784 88403
HER: MDV8278
Megalithic Portal: 33950
PMD: Butterdon Down Standing Stone
Alternate name: Butterdon Down Standing Stone
ShortName: SS Butterdon
Notes: Standing stone - prob. prehistoric. An upright stone, stands at the west edge of Butterdon Down, Moretonhampstead, beside the public footpath, 600 yards from Cranbrook Farm. It is between six and seven feet high and of slightly curved slab shape. Ref: Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries 31 1970 pp. 225-26.
Nearby sites: SX 74784 88403
Distance: 2.39km
Giant's Grave Cairn
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76768 87459
HER: MDV8309
Megalithic Portal: 22314
Alternate name: Mardon Down Giant's Grave 4 Cairn
ShortName: CN GiantsGrave
Butler Vol 5: p.147 & Fig.89
DPD page: 149
Grinsell: MOR 3
Notes: Remains of a cairn which was largely destroyed in the early 19th century when material from it was removed for road building. Now a turf-covered mound 20.5 metres diameter and 0.6 metres high.
Nearby sites: SX 76768 87459
Distance: 0.24km
Mardon Down Stone Ring Cairn Circle
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76729 87264
HER: MDV19003
Megalithic Portal: 22313
PMD: Mardon Down Cairn 1
Alternate name: Mardon Down Ring Cairn 2 Stone Ring Cairn Circle
ShortName: RC Mardon 2
DPD page: 149
Turner: A36
Notes: "Stone ring with central cairn. Outer ring measures 12.0 metres in diameter with bank 1.5 metres wide and 0.3 metres high. Central cairn 5.0 metres in diameter and 0.4 metres high with disturbance on its western side. Outer ring has 2.5 metre wide entrance on the east."
Nearby sites: SX 76729 87264
Distance: 0.36km
Mardon Down Platform Cairn Circle
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76759 87172
HER: MDV15158
Megalithic Portal: 22312
PMD: Mardon Down Cairn 1
Alternate name: Mardon Down Cairn 1 Platform Cairn Circle
ShortName: PC Mardon 1
Butler Vol 5: p.149 & Fig.91
DPD page: 149
Grinsell: MOR 5
Turner: E9
Notes: Platform circle consisting of a ring of kerb stones, measuring 7.0 metres in internal diameter, enclosing a flat-topped cairn 0.3 metres high, with boulder incorporated into perimeter.
Nearby sites: SX 76759 87172
Distance: 0.41km
Mardon Down Embanked Cairn Circle
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76744 87691
HER: MDV8308
Megalithic Portal: 3375
Alternate name: Mardon Down Pillared Circle 5 Embanked Cairn Circle
ShortName: CC Mardon 5
Butler Vol 5: p.150 & Fig.92
DPD page: 149
Grinsell: MOR 1
Turner: B6
Notes: Impressive cairn circle with a well preserved ring of large pillars surrounded by an outer kerb ring of smaller slabs on their edges. The cairn is 11m. in diameter and 0.5m. high, with a well preserved cairn circle comprising a 9.0m. diameter circle of spaced uprights averaging 0.8m. high, with kerbing between. Unlike the stone circle it is marked on the OS Okehampton and North Dartmoor Landranger map (Sheet 191). It is easy to confuse this cairn with the less well preserved stone circle which is a few hundred metres to the south. Turner B6.
Nearby sites: SX 76744 87691
Distance: 0.32km
Mardon Down Stone Circle
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76764 87203
HER: MDV8289
Megalithic Portal: 3376
PMD: Mardon Down Stone Circle
ShortName: SC Mardon Down
Butler Vol 5: p.148 & Fig.90
DPD page: 149
Turner: G1
Notes: Mardon Down stone circle is the biggest by circumference on Dartmoor with a diameter of 38m. 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. Today the circle is fairly dilapidated. Six stones remain upright and another 16 lie roughly in place. There are two massive megaliths one of which is on the north-western part of the circle. A short arc of seven stones remains in position on the south-east of the circle. The circle was first described by Dr Milles in 1772 who reported around 70 stones. 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: SX 76764 87203
Distance: 0.38km
Mardon Down (E) Stone Ring Cairn Circle
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76894 87602
HER: MDV12771
Megalithic Portal: 45824
ShortName: RC Mardon East
Butler Vol 5: p.147 & Fig.89
DPD page: 149
Turner: A10
Notes: "Circular earthwork, possibly a ring cairn, the north-west corner of which has been destroyed where it abuts a footpath. Internal diameter 13.3 metres with a bank 2.5 metres wide and 0.6 metres high."
Nearby sites: SX 76894 87602
Distance: 0.15km
Mardon Down (Exc. 18th century) Reported Cairn
OS Map: SX 768 875
HER: MDV105916
ShortName: CN?Mardon Do3
Grinsell: MOR 5a
Notes: Linear cairn cemetery aligned broadly north-south on the west side of Mardon Down and comprising some nine cairns. One of the cairns was excavated in the 18th century producing ashes, charcoal and sherds of pottery, although which cairn is uknown.
Nearby sites: SX 768 875
Distance: 0.20km
Mardon Down (NE of Headless Cross) Reported Cist
OS Map: SX 77470 87904
HER: MDV20076
PMD: Mardon Down
ShortName: CT Mardon NE1
Notes: The possible remains of a kerbed cairn with a cist. It comprises a disturbed mound of sub-rectangular form 8.0 by 7.0 by 0.6 metres high. There are three stone slabs set in a mound around a hollow 0.4 metres deep. To the northern edge 3 or 4 stones set on edge give the impression of a kerb. The HER gives the location as SX 77462 87956 - but imagery on Google Earth tends to suggest this is inaccurate.
Nearby sites: SX 77470 87904
Distance: 0.62km
Mardon Down 6 Clearance Cairn
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76733 87587
HER: MDV12768
ShortName: CN Mardon 6
Grinsell: MOR 1a
Notes: A small circular mound of stones measuring 4.7 metres in diameter, which is rather small for a sepulchral cairn, and more likely to be associated with clearance, perhaps of a date later than the larger cairns. However, if so, then it is the only recorded example in the vicinity and unusual for that reason. N.B. Extending Butlers 1-5 PDW is numbering this 6.
Nearby sites: SX 76733 87587
Distance: 0.28km
Mardon Down 7 Clearance Cairn
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76761 87477
HER: MDV20069
ShortName: CN Mardon 7
Grinsell: MOR 2
Notes: "Small dump of cairn material just north of the track, 5 metres in diameter was included in 2017 survey and is thought to be the result of dumping when the main cairn was despoiled, probably in the 19th century." N.B. Extending Butlers 1-5 PDW is numbering this 7.
Nearby sites: SX 76761 87477
Distance: 0.24km
Mardon Down 8 Reported Cairn
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76730 87238
HER: MDV15159
ShortName: CN Mardon 8
Notes: Newman (2017) "This earthwork, which sits 18m north of the stone circle, has in the past been recorded as a cairn. However, there has to be some uncertainty over this because, apart from its location (on a hilltop and associated with other prehistoric monuments), the layout of the surviving earthworks make it very difficult to interpret precisely. The earthworks appear random but vestiges of what might have been a bank forming part of a perimeter runs around the northeast and west sides, although this is breached on the northern corner and cannot be traced along the southern side. The central area of the feature is slightly raised and embanked in places, with a natural granite outcrop on its western corner, which appears undisturbed. Some additional detached slabs of stone appear to be naturally placed moorstone and probably do not form part of a monument. The total spread of the earthworks is 24m at the broadest point, and the central mound is 0.4m high. It is possible therefore that an inner mound or platform, which incorporated a natural outcrop, has become disturbed and misshapen, but was once surrounded by an outer bank, thus perhaps representing the earthworks of a sepulchral monument. However, insufficient evidence survives in an intact state to be certain.". N.B. Extending Butlers 1-5 PDW is numbering this 8.
Nearby sites: SX 76730 87238
Distance: 0.38km
Mardon Down 9 Reported Cairn
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 7676 8738
HER: MDV105915
ShortName: CN?Mardon Do4
Notes: Cairn visible on LiDAR survey on west side of footpath, 40 metres north of the dewpond. Could not be located during a site visit in 2015. N.B. Extending Butlers 1-5, PDW is numbering this 9.
Nearby sites: SX 7676 8738
Distance: 0.27km
Mardon Down S.E. of Giants Grave Cairn Circle
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 76774 87432
HER: MDV8310
Megalithic Portal: 22315
Alternate name: Mardon Down Cairn 3 Cairn Circle
ShortName: CC Mardon 3
Butler Vol 5: p.147 & Fig.89
Grinsell: MOR 4
Notes: NMR C. Cairn 32.0 metres south-east of Giant's Grave. 11.0 metres diameter, 0.7 metres high with traces of a retaining circle on the south-west side.
Nearby sites: SX 76774 87432
Distance: 0.24km
Maximajor Stone Standing Stone
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Site: Mardon Down Stone Circle & Cairns
OS Map: SX 77076 87818
HER: MDV8281
Megalithic Portal: 22324
PMD: Headless Cross Standing Stone
ShortName: SS Maximajor
Notes: Situated on Mardon Moor, the Headless Cross, or Maximajor Stone, despite its name, was never a cross. It was a megalith although apparently the current stone is a replacement for the original which was damaged beyond repair by a car. See also: Legendary Dartmoor: The Maximajor Stone
Nearby sites: SX 77076 87818
Distance: 0.33km
Wooston Castle Fort Fort
Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks: Dartmoor Walk: The Neolithic tombs of Cuckoo Ball & Corringdon Ball
OS Map: SX 76486 89673
HER: MDV8292
Megalithic Portal: 7767
Alternate name: Wooston Castle Fort
ShortName: FT:Wooston
Notes: "Wooston Castle comprises a defensive enclosure approached through a series of outworks which extend for up to 200 metres from east to west. From south to north the whole complex covers some 500 metres, at the northern extremity the defences lie within 50 metres of a precipitous drop to the River Teign."
Nearby sites: SX 76486 89673
Distance: 2.23km