North Hessary Tor 1 Cairn
Photo taken on 15-08-2026
Close up from ground level. Photo 15/08/2026
Database entries
OS Map: SX 57848 74239
OS Source: Garmin
Butler OS: SX57847423
HER: MDV5015
Alternate name: North Hessary Tor 1
Short Name: CN North Hes 1
Butler map: 44.9.1
Grinsell: WALKHAMPTON 8
Exist: Yes
Record: Unique
Record Source: Butler
Hut Class: No
Cist Class: Maybe
Cairn Class: Yes
Dimensions (m): 7.0 x 0.4
Lidar: SX 57848 74239
Guide Map: 34
Nearest Bus Stop: Princetown Dartmoor Visitor Centre (1.8 km) [Route: 98,171(20/07/26 to 19/09/26)]
Nearby sites: SX 57848 74239
Notes
HER: The cairn survives as a circular stony mound which measures up to 7 metres in diameter and 0.5 metres high. The mound is surrounded by a partially buried ditch up to 1.3 metres wide and 0.2 metres deep.Butler: 7.0 metres diameter by 0.4 metres high is protected by a wire fence. The mound is surrounded by a shallow trench unique for a moorland cairn and probably this structure is much more recent in date. Maybe the feature is a pillow mound or a flagpole support.
The author visited the site on 15/08/2026 with Steve Szypko. The wooden poles that once held up the fence are still in place and can be seen in the main photo. The NGR for this record was previously inaccurate at over 30 metres away. This had confused a previous attempt to find this feature which is a bit hidden under high vegetation. It is approximately at the highest point on the terrain near the tor. Steve found it quickly on this occasion and it is obvious once you realise! The main photo here is taken from the tor overlooking the site from above. The secondary photo is at ground level close up.
References
These are selected references with an emphasis on out of copyright sources linked as PDFs. For more detailed references try any linked HER or PMD record above.
- Butler, Jeremy, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities, vol.3: The South-West, (1994)
- Grinsell, L.V., Dartmoor Barrows, Devon Archaeological Society Proceedings No.36 (1978)