Featured: Hare and Tabor T Shirts for discerning antiquarians

Hare and Tabor T Shirts for discerning antiquarians

Random Image

Anta da Laje dos Frades

Anta da Laje dos Frades

Lost Secrets - an adventure during Neolithic times

Lost Secrets - an adventure during Neolithic times

Login

Register here - as a registered user you get more features and fewer ads.

Who's Online

There are currently, 687 guests and 9 members online.

Sponsors

<< Our Photo Pages >> Black Hill Cairns - Cairn in England in Devon

Submitted by AngieLake on Friday, 20 July 2012  Page Views: 9851

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: Black Hill Cairns
Country: England County: Devon Type: Cairn
Nearest Town: Bovey Tracey  Nearest Village: Haytor Vale
Map Ref: SX762788
Latitude: 50.595758N  Longitude: 3.750504W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 5 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 3 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 4
17 photos by 2 photographers
NEW: View this site on our 3D globe map ›

Internal Links:
External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

Christopher7717 would like to visit

Couplands visited on 3rd Oct 2024 - their rating: Cond: 2 Amb: 5 Access: 3

AngieLake have visited here

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : A lovely view of Cairn 4 with the moors in the background, looking approx west here. I kept thinking of Bruce Chatwin's 'On the Black Hill' while exploring here. It was a brilliant book, but set on the Welsh borders, not Dartmoor. He'd have loved this place, though. [Oddly enough, his home and the book were featured on the BBC 4 'Britain By Bike' episode tonight, 27th July!] (Vote or comment on this photo)
Cairn in Devon. Black Hill is a spur at the northern edge of the high ground of Haytor Down, below which the ground falls sharply away to the wooded valley of the River Bovey. It is outside the land bounded by parallel reaves and may have been reserved for burial monuments as no huts have been found here.

About 12 cairns lie within 400m of each other, most sited below the crest (the first three to the south separated by an aberrant reave, which fades away on the slopes of the ridge).
The four largest cairns (see plan to be posted) are 1-4, and are marked on the OS map. They are still an impressive sight, despite the regular remodelling of the stones by visitors. The edges appear partly intact and the similarity of the diameters (about 16.5m) suggests that this dimension is close to the original.

The above info was taken [but not exactly copied] from Butler's invaluable 'Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities, Vol 1 - The East'.
He goes on to describe the other, smaller cairns there, which I've not copied on the plan.

The visit, on a beautiful, sunny, breezy afternoon in July was very uplifting. Great views, including the sight of Trendlebere Stone Row in the valley below Cairn 4. Ample parking at SX771778, and following the marked footpaths on the OS map (Outdoor Leisure 28, Dartmoor), I took the one nearest the line of the first three boundary stones, then headed to the summit where [Butler's] Cairn 1 was visible.

Five of the cairns on Black Hill are scheduled as Historic England List ID 1004577.

The following cairns are featured on the Prehistoric Dartmoor Walks (PDW) website; see their entries for:
Black Hill 4 Cairn at SX 76281 78963 ("Cairn with modern stoneheap at north end. Diameter 17.0 meters, height 0.7 meters"). Also recorded as Pastscape Monument No. 444984.

Note: Join a cairn survey and repair party for a guided walk, Sat 28th July and on the same day a talk by archaeologist Jane Marchand about the discoveries at Tottiford Reservoir and White Horse Hill Cist
You may be viewing yesterday's version of this page. To see the most up to date information please register for a free account.
Contributor Bio for AngieLake: Enjoy travels to spiritual sites in Great Britain and Ireland.

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : While walking up to the cairns you may notice, near the track, a line of Boundary Stones running (approx SE - NW) between the NE of Haytor Down and the summit of Black Hill. This was one on the left coming downhill, a rather picturesque scene with the windswept tree. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : These were the imposing rocks shown on the map of the tracks to the cairns on Black Hill. If I'm not mistaken these are those top left of the plan (after Butler). The western side of the mass almost appeared to have been fashioned by human hands, into a rectangular shelter. Prehistoric settlements were found at both Hole Rock and nearby Smallacombe Rocks, so it may quite possibly have been an a... (Vote or comment on this photo)

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : A closer view of the sheltered area under the outcrop of rocks that almost seemed fashioned into a prehistoric dwelling. This rock is one of those shown on the plan here on site page (after Butler). Prehistoric settlements existed at Hole Rock and Smallacombe Rocks. I.E., Butler's description of the latter starts: "Tucked in the lee of Smallacombe Rocks, high above the Becka Brook, this settlem... (Vote or comment on this photo)

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : Looking approx east from Cairn 4. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by StoneLee : Cairn and kite, a great combo. (Vote or comment on this photo)

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : On the way uphill to the cairns, at just about the point where the route to the first cairn become obvious, this huge stone just to the right of the track invited investigation. At this angle it points approx North, and if you know where to look, both modern tarmac roads around the east of Black Hill, and around the middle of Trendlebere Down, are visible.

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : The view back to the two knobs of granite that form Haytor, from Cairn 4.

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : The approach to Cairn 4, further north along the spur.

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : Looking towards the coast from Cairn 1 with the white clay pits area of Bovey Basin in the distance below.

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : Looking back towards the two spectacular knobs of granite that form Haytor from Cairn 1. These two are also seen on the horizon from Mardon Down, to the north. (See site page.) I'm sure their shape was significant to the ancient people.

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : Cairn 1 was the first one found on walking from the car park to the southeast. Above the edge-on slab sticking out of the ground is what appears to be a small scooped out area, perhaps an exposed burial site.

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : A plan to help interpret the layout of Black Hill Cairns, and photos posted here. (After Butler, but omitting the smaller cairns. See his Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities, Vol 1 - The East.)

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : From the same point as the previous photo was taken, on the steep slope below Cairn 4, this is the view down to Trendlebere Stone Row (centre distance). (1 comment)

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : The steep slope that leads most directly downhill to Trendlebere Stone Row, with Cairn 4 looming on the summit.

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : Cairn 1, showing the exposed 'scoop' of a possible burial.

Black Hill Cairns
Black Hill Cairns submitted by AngieLake : Approaching Cairn 1 on the summit of Black Hill.

Do not use the above information on other web sites or publications without permission of the contributor.

Click here to see more info for this site

Log in or create a free account to see nearby ancient sites our visitors rate highly

All Nearby sites

Click here to view sites on an interactive OS map
NEW: View this site on our 3D globe map ›

Download sites to:
KML (Google Earth)
GPX (GPS waypoints)
CSV (Garmin/Navman)
CSV (Excel)

To unlock full downloads you need to sign up as a Society Member. Otherwise downloads are limited to 50 sites.


Turn off the page maps and other distractions

Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 600m NE 43° Trendlebere Down Stone Row Cairn* Cairn (SX7662079230)
 637m NE 40° Trendlebere Down* Multiple Stone Rows / Avenue (SX76627928)
 776m SSE 147° Haytor Down Ring Cairn (SX76617814)
 852m SW 225° Smallacombe Rocks Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (SX7558378211)
 1.6km W 268° Hound Tor Deserted Medieval Village* Ancient Village or Settlement (SX74627878)
 1.8km SW 226° Holwell Tor Settlement Ancient Village or Settlement (SX74887757)
 1.9km W 274° Hound Tor Enclosure* Causewayed Enclosure (SX74307897)
 2.1km W 268° Hound Tor Ring Cairn* Ring Cairn (SX7409778770)
 2.7km NW 307° Bowerman's Nose* Rock Outcrop (SX74108046)
 3.3km SW 218° Seven Lords' Lands* Stone Circle (SX74127623)
 3.3km W 259° Chinkwell Tor Cairn* Cairn (SX7293078250)
 3.4km NE 41° Datuidoc's Stone* Early Christian Sculptured Stone (SX7850081274)
 3.4km SW 214° Stentifords Cross* Marker Stone (SX7424076030)
 3.5km SW 227° Top Tor Cairns* Cairn (SX7357476472)
 3.6km SSW 204° Rippon Tor* Cairn (SX74667558)
 3.6km SW 227° Top Tor row Stone Row / Alignment (SX735764)
 3.6km N 358° Hunter's Tor Fort* Hillfort (SX7616482412)
 3.6km NNE 15° South Harton Cross* Ancient Cross (SX7724982273)
 3.6km NE 40° Bishop's Stone (Lustleigh)* Ancient Cross (SX7860281532)
 3.8km SW 218° Foales Arrishes* Ancient Village or Settlement (SX73777587)
 4.0km NNE 21° Higher Combe Cross* Ancient Cross (SX7776482535)
 4.2km SW 224° Tunhill Rocks* Ancient Village or Settlement (SX7318975796)
 4.3km SW 219° Blackslade Down Cairn and Cist* Cist (SX7341275510)
 4.5km NW 320° Easdon Hill Ring Cairn (SX73358231)
 4.6km SW 217° Wittaburrow Cairn* Cairn (SX73347521)
View more nearby sites and additional images

<< Sa Tanca 'e s'Ozzastru Tomba di Giganti

Keltenhiel >>

Please add your thoughts on this site

Contribute!

· NEW: I have visited
· I would like to visit
· Submit an Image
· Add a description
· Give accurate position
· Add a comment or news about this site

Prehistoric Settlements

Prehistoric Settlements

Sponsors

Latest Visit Logs

  • Le Breuil
    “I could not get to the site, but I could see where it was. There is no legitimate access, but there …”
    by Mick_Connor · 23 Aug 2026
  • Menhir des Demoiselles (Colombiers-sur-Seulles)
    “As TheCaptain notes, this menhir stands on a grassy bank at a road junction east of the village of C…”
    by brianlavelle · 23 Aug 2026
  • Little Balsmith
    “You're not so small Little Balsmith - are you? A towering beauty.”
    by Smac · 23 Aug 2026
  • St-Guinec menhir
    “Trying to figure out all the stones in this area, and not getting on very well, we come for a look a…”
    by TheCaptain · 22 Aug 2026
  • Peyrefitte
    “Brilliant sunshine made the stone dark on one side, and brilliantly white on the other. A magnificen…”
    by Mick_Connor · 22 Aug 2026

"Black Hill Cairns" | Login/Create an Account | 2 News and Comments
  
Go back to top of page    Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
Survey and stroll on Hayton Down, Sat 28th July by Andy B on Saturday, 14 July 2012
(User Info | Send a Message)
County: Devon

Sat 28 July; 13.30-16.00

Come and enjoy a guided walk around the wonderful archaeological landscape of Haytor Down, Dartmoor. Learn about the successful cairn repair project and help the volunteer team as they survey cairns. Have a go at surveying the cairn yourself and experience the work of this volunteer conservation project. Free Event.

Location: Parking available at Haytor Lower Terrace Car Park at SX7700 7780, approx. 500m North of Haytor Info. Centre on the road to Manaton. Follow B3387 from Bovey Tracey for 5km then just before the turn off to Ilsington take sharp right turn and follow road for 500m to car park..

Org: Dartmoor National Park Authority/ Dartmoor Preservation Trust
Name: Andy Crabb
Email: [email protected]

Part of the Festival of British Archaeology 2012
[ Reply to This ]

Re: Black Hill Cairns/ Boundary Stones on Reaves by AngieLake on Tuesday, 10 August 2010
(User Info | Send a Message)
The line of Boundary Stones that lie near the track to the cairns suggested in the site description, and which run approx SE-NW between Haytor Down and the summit of Black Hill, may have been erected on the prehistoric reave which ends at Hole Rock. Nowadays, they denote the boundary between the parishes of Ilsington to the south and Manaton and Bovey to the north.
Much of the moorland section of Ilsington parish is determined by land boundaries laid out over 3000 years ago.
Several of the boundary markers are 'Duke' stones, easily recognisable by their regular shape and rounded head. They were set up by the Duke of Somerset in 1853 [yes, Dartmoor IS in Devon!], and cut with his initials 'DS' and the date on one face and named on the other.
(If you are interested in reading more about these stones, Butler has detailed descriptions in his volumes of 'Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities'.)
[Photos of similar boundary stones on Hameldown are shown on that site page.]
[ Reply to This ]

Your Name: Anonymous [ Register Now ]
Subject:


Add your comment or contribution to this page. Spam or offensive posts are deleted immediately, don't even bother

<<< What is five plus one as a number? (Please type the answer to this question in the little box on the left)
You can also embed videos and other things. For Youtube please copy and paste the 'embed code'.
For Google Street View please include Street View in the text.
Create a web link like this: <a href="https://www.megalithic.co.uk">This is a link</a>  

Allowed HTML is:
<p> <b> <i> <a> <img> <em> <br> <strong> <blockquote> <tt> <li> <ol> <ul> <object> <param> <embed> <iframe>
We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.