Rook Tor Cairn Circle

Database entries

OS Map: SX 60266 61499
OS Source: Google
Butler OS: SX60236153
HER: MDV132245
Megalithic Portal: 3445
Alternate name: Rook Tor
Short Name: CC:Rook Tor
Butler map: 52.8
Turner: G21
Exist: Yes
Record: Unique
Record Source: Butler
Hut Class: No
Cairn Class: Maybe
Dimensions (m): 7.5
Lidar: SX 60266 61499
Guide Map: 55
Nearest Bus Stop: Cornwood Crossways (2.5 km) [Route: 59]
Nearby sites: SX 60266 61499

Notes

Butler refers to a possible cairn at SX 6023 6153 a semi-circle of slabs amongst the rocks of Rook Tor are obviously artificially set - remains suggest the site of a cairn, entirely demolished but for the retaining circle. (Butler Vol. 3. p.182). Around 50 metres to the south of Butler's grid reference a feature can be seen on Google satellite consisting of a semi-circle of around 10 stones located at SX 60266 61499 (see screengrab). This record has been updated with that NGR.

Turner lists a Rook Tor site (G21) 1km away at SX 6127 6148: 10 stones standing, one a boulder. Are there two separate features or does one auth have the wrong grid reference? See also: Rook Tor 2.

A desktop review of this record on 04/10/2026 and Turner G21 refers to a "Platform S hillspur" with diameter 7.5m and "10 stones". That description fits the feature in Google satellite on this record. Turner's grid reference is surely wrong? If you replace the first "1" with a "0" it becomes SX 6027 6148 which is consistent (with 1990s accuracy) with the feature in the Google satellite image (SX 6027 6150 as an 8-digit NGR).

NB. Records SiteID=271 (previously originated from Turner but now from Butler) and SiteID=1593 (previously originated from Butler but now from Turner) have been swapped/merged and the latter marked as a duplicate. The Turner cairns (including 271) had been part of the core listings. For historical reasons (including external links to these records, for example, from Megalithic Portal) it makes sense to keep the retained record as 271. The record 271 is now *both* Turner G21 and Butler 52.8.

The main photo used here is thanks to Matt Jackson and copyright remains with Matt.

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)
• Turner, J.R., Ring Cairns, stone circles and related monuments on Dartmoor, D.A.S.P. No.48 pp.27-86 (1990)