Guide to the Monuments on White Ridge and Assycombe Hill

Table of Ritual and Burial Monuments on White Ridge and Assycombe Hill

White Ridge and Assycombe Hill 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 White Ridge and Assycombe Hill

Red Barrows Cairn

OS Map: SX 67718 79650
NMR record: SX 67 NE 3
HER record: MDV6007
Megalithic Portal: 34986
PMD: Red Barrows
Alternate name: Red Barrows 1 Cairn
ShortName: CN RedBar 1
Butler map: 24.2.1
Grinsell: MAN 5
Notes: Four Bronze Age round barrows between 10 and 20 meters in diameter and 0.5 to 2.2 meters high. One barrow was excavated in 1902, finds included pottery and flints. See also HER records, 6004, 6005, 6006, 6007.
Nearby sites: SX67727965

Red Barrows 2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 67709 79666
NMR record: SX 67 NE 3
HER record: MDV6006
ShortName: CN RedBar 2
Butler map: 24.2.2
Grinsell: MAN 6
Barrow Report: 56
Nearby sites: SX67717967

Red Barrows 3 Cairn

OS Map: SX 67694 79690
NMR record: SX 67 NE 3
HER record: MDV6005
ShortName: CN RedBar 3
Butler map: 24.2.3
Grinsell: MAN 7
Nearby sites: SX67697969

Red Barrows 4 Cairn

OS Map: SX 67695 79705
NMR record: SX 67 NE 3
HER record: MDV6004
ShortName: CN RedBar 4
Butler map: 24.2.4
Grinsell: MAN 8
Nearby sites: SX67707971

Birch Tor Ancient Pool

OS Map: SX 68686 81656
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV127183
ShortName: PO:Birch Tor
Notes: "The pool at Birch Tor measures around 15.5m. One of over 40 such 'sacred' pools identified on Dartmoor that are thought to have potentially been designed during the prehistoric period."
Nearby sites: SX68698166

Birch Tor Cairn

OS Map: SX 68686 81654
NMR record: SX 68 SE 16
HER record: MDV6673
Megalithic Portal: 34981
Alternate name: Birch Tor Summit Cairn
ShortName: CN:Birch Tor
Butler map: 24.4
Grinsell: N.BOV 1
Barrow Report: 56
Notes: "The heavily disturbed remains of a large, flat-topped cairn lie on the ridge crest 230 metres north of Birch Tor. The centre and south margin of this feature have apparently suffered from an unrecorded excavation with spoil dumped to the south and on the east fringe of the mound. Two large upright slabs are embedded in the unexcavated interior of the cairn and may have previously been interpreted as elements of a kerb even though they lie several metres in from the actual edge of the feature. 10m to the north-west of the cairn is a warren boundary stone inscribed with the letters`WB'on its eastern side."
Nearby sites: SX68698165

Merripit Hill 1 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66359 79926
NMR record: SX 67 NE 158
HER record: MDV103610
ShortName: CN:Merripit 1
Nearby sites: SX66367993

Merripit Hill 2 Clearance Cairn

OS Map: SX 65750 80440
NMR record: SX 68 SE 104
HER record: MDV19555
ShortName: CN?Merripit 2
Grinsell: B:LYD 30b
Notes: On the summit of Merripit Hill is a prominent mound representing an infilled mine shaft enclosed by debris
Nearby sites: SX65758044

Soussons Plantation N.1 Cairn

OS Map: SX 67673 79963
NMR record: SX 67 NE 233
HER record: MDV6015
ShortName: CN:Soussons N1
Butler map: 24.2.5
Butler Vol 5: p.38 & Fig.15
Grinsell: MAN 4
Nearby sites: SX67677996

Soussons Plantation N.2 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 67910 79820
NMR record: SX 67 NE 2
HER record: MDV6086
ShortName: CNxSoussons N2
Nearby sites: SX67917982

Soussons Down (Red Barrows) Stone Row

OS Map: SX 67670 79980
NMR record: SX 67 NE 233
HER record: MDV6015
Megalithic Portal: 2136
The Stone Rows of GB: Soussons Down
PMD: Red Barrows Stone Row
Alternate name: Soussons Down Stone Row
ShortName: SRxRed Barrows
Butler map: 24.2
Notes: Triple row destroyed in 1946 Butler Vol. 5 p38, Vol. 3 Map 24.2 p.19. The row was associated with a cairn about 300m north of the four Red Barrow cairn group (SX 67 NE 3).
Nearby sites: SX67677998

Kings Oven Reported Cist

OS Map: SX 67477 81336
NMR record: SX 68 SE 386
HER record: MDV121913
PMD: King's Oven
ShortName: CT?KingsOven 1
Butler map: 26.1.2
Notes: In the wall of King's Oven enclosure. Butler gives NGR for CHA 6a by mistake.
Nearby sites: SX67488134

Kings Oven (Near) Reported Cist

OS Map: SX 67470 81290
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV6620
ShortName: CT?KingsOven 2
Butler map: 26.5
Grinsell: CHA 6a
Notes: Destroyed? Fragmenary remains of cairn and cist reported by Speence Bate in 1871
Nearby sites: SX67478129

King's Oven (Water Hill) Cairn

OS Map: SX 67158 81299
NMR record: SX 68 SE 19
HER record: MDV6674
Megalithic Portal: 34690
PMD: Water Hill Possible Chambered Cairn
Alternate name: Water Hill 1 Cairn
ShortName: CN WaterHill 1
Butler map: 26.5.1
Butler Vol 5: p.156 & Fig.95
Grinsell: CHA 6
Notes: Situated at SX 67158129 on the rounded summit of Water Hill is the remains of a substantial round cairn 18.0 metres in diameter and up to 1.4 metres high in the east and 0.9 metres in the west. The whole of the central area of the cairn has been robbed to construct a superimposed modern boundary cairn 4.0 metres in diam and 2.1 metres high. This has given a 'dished' appearance to the cairn proper. Several large slabs averging 0.8 metres by 0.7 metres scattered around the base of the boundary cairn may be the remains of a destroyed cist.

The southern flat topped cairn measures 18 metres in diameter and 1.5 metres in height and is surmounted by a modern stone pile. A large slab situated to the south of this pile may have been part of a cist.
Nearby sites: SX67168130

Water Hill 2 Reported Cairn

OS Map: SX 67158 81306
NMR record: SX 68 SE 218
HER record: MDV6675
ShortName: CN?WaterHill 2
Butler map: 26.5.2
Notes: Doubtful "a heather covered mound slightly to the n of the large cairn on the summit of water hill. It measures 5.1m in diam and up to 0.6m high with one recumbent granite boulder visible on its s side. It is apparently composed of earth and stone". This record formerly linked to MDV54619 which has presumably been deleted as a duplicate.
Nearby sites: SX67168131

Stannon Newtake Stone Row

OS Map: SX 65348 81091
NMR record: SX 68 SE 125
HER record: MDV54555
Megalithic Portal: 2144
The Stone Rows of GB: Stannon Newtake
PMD: Stannon Newtake Stone Row
ShortName: SR:Stannon New
Butler map: 35.21
Notes: Possible extension of the White Ridge Stone Row. "Standing stones, possibly a stone row. Forty-six feet S. of the cairn (SX 68 SE 23) are two standing stones, two and a half feet high, their broad planes facing the monument. These, and two others in line, suggest the remains of a stone row, destroyed for materials for an ancient hedge. If a row, it does not point to the centre of the cairn. "
Nearby sites: SX65358109

Stannon Little Newtake Ring Setting Cairn and Cist

OS Map: SX 65464 81068
NMR record: SX 68 SE 24
HER record: MDV6616
Megalithic Portal: 37598
PMD: Stannon Newtake
Alternate name: Stannon Newtake E. Ring Setting Cairn and Cist
ShortName: CT Stannon 1
Butler map: 35.21.1
DPD page: 124
Grinsell: LYD 29
Turner: D16
Barrow Report: 57
Notes: "Cairn survives as a 4.5 metre diameter mound up to 0.5 metres high. The western edge is denoted by a kerb of edge set slabs up to 1.15 metres high. The eastern edge is beneath a later boundary bank. A cist in the centre is a rectangular pit 1.2 metres by 0.5 metres denoted by edge set slabs". Butler Stannon Newtake E. - Vol. 2. Map 35.21 (diagram p.168).


Nearby sites: SX65468107

Stannon Newtake W. Cairn

OS Map: SX 65330 81080
NMR record: SX 68 SE 23
HER record: MDV6657
ShortName: CN:Stannon 2
Butler map: 35.21.2
Grinsell: LYD 28
Barrow Report: 15
Notes: Cairn a short distance to the north of the northernmost coaxial field boundary. The cairn survives as a 6.5m diameter mound up to 0.6m high. A central hollow is the result of excavation in 1896 which revealed a pit containing charcoal, burnt bone and a flint flake. A group of four edge set stones up to 1m high to the southeast are the remains of a stone alignment.
Nearby sites: SX65338108

Stannon Newtake a Reported Cist

OS Map: SX 64920 81230
NMR record: SX 68 SW 68
HER record: MDV19547
PMD: Stannon Newtake a
ShortName: CN:Stannon 3
Notes: Four upright slabs form a crude semi-circle on a small shelf of an otherwise steep, e-facing and clitter strewn hillside, above stannon brook. The semi-circle described by the slabs is 3m in diam with a max height of 0.7m. It does not form a recognisable archaeological feature and seems more like random assemblage of natural slabs
Nearby sites: SX64928123

Stannon Newtake b Cairn

OS Map: SX 65180 81490
NMR record: SX 68 SE 169
HER record: MDV15378
PMD: Stannon Newtake b
ShortName: CN:Stannon 4
Notes: (greeves + robinson) prehistoric long cairn 16m long, 6.50m width (max), 1m high (highest at ne end). Small rectangular depression in ne end and stone slab set on edge at sw end. Composed mostly of small stone, covered with gorse and is disturbed by track at sw end
Nearby sites: SX65188149

Stannon Bottom Cairn

OS Map: SX 65390 80600
NMR record: SX 68 SE 79
HER record: MDV6677
ShortName: CN?Stannon 5
Grinsell: LYD 30a
Notes: Three cairns noted on the edge of a hut circle settlement on Merripit Hill. Unclear whether these are ritual or clearance cairns as they may have been hut circles that have been covered with loose stone.
Nearby sites: SX65398060

White Ridge Stone Row

OS Map: SX 65420 81661
NMR record: SX 68 SE 22
HER record: MDV6642
Megalithic Portal: 4145
The Stone Rows of GB: White Ridge
PMD: White Ridge Stone Row
ShortName: SR White Ridge
Butler map: 35.20
DPD page: 125
Notes: "A double stone row, 620 ft in length from the centre of a cairn at the north end, running nearly due south and slightly downhill. Well preserved at the north end for a short distance but becoming more dilapidated as it approaches the newtake wall at the south end". Lethbridge diagram p.124 and photo top p.125.
Nearby sites: SX65428166

White Ridge Stone Row Cairn

OS Map: SX 65410 81650
NMR record: SX 68 SE 22
HER record: MDV6639
ShortName: CN:WhiteRid 1
Butler map: 35.20
Grinsell: LYD 27
Nearby sites: SX65418165

White Ridge 2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 65020 82180
NMR: No record found
HER record: MDV20915
ShortName: CN:WhiteRid 2
Nearby sites: SX65028218

Assycombe Hill S.1 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66250 81160
NMR record: SX 68 SE 197
HER record: MDV61310
ShortName: CN:AssycombS1
Butler map: 26.4.1
Butler Vol 5: p.199
Notes: NMR 916309 clearly refers to Butler's Assycombe Hill S.1 & S.2. The entry refers to Butler's coverage Vol 2 p. 26. It is clear from Butler that the NGR is SX 662 812. This is clear both from the listingat the end of Vol2 as well as from where they are marked on Butler's Map 26. The text states "The proximity of these two cairns on te summit of the ridge 400 m to the suth-west suggests these may have been the burial mounds of the community" i.e the Assycombe Hill South settlement. However, the NGR given in the NMR is SX 662802 which is 1 km to the south! This error has resulted in duplicate entries for the HER which has this pair of cairns at both locations. HER 54601 & 54602 are duplicates (with incorrect NGRs) of 61309 & 61310.
Nearby sites: SX66258116

Assycombe Hill S.2 Cairn

OS Map: SX 66240 81180
NMR record: SX 68 SE 197
HER record: MDV61309
ShortName: CN:AssycombS2
Butler map: 26.4.2
Butler Vol 5: p.218 & Fig.152
Notes: NMR 916309 clearly refers to Butler's Assycombe Hill S.1 & S.2. The entry refers to Butler's coverage Vol 2 p. 26. It is clear from Butler that the NGR is SX 662 812. This is clear both from the listingat the end of Vol2 as well as from where they are marked on Butler's Map 26. The text states "The proximity of these two cairns on te summit of the ridge 400 m to the suth-west suggests these may have been the burial mounds of the community" i.e the Assycombe Hill South settlement. However, the NGR given in the NMR is SX 662802 which is 1 km to the south! This error has resulted in duplicate entries for the HER which has this pair of cairns at both locations. HER 54601 & 54602 are duplicates (with incorrect NGRs) of 61309 & 61310.
Nearby sites: SX66248118

Bush Down Settlement

OS Map: SX 68490 82170
NMR record: SX 68 SE 15
HER record: MDV6596
Megalithic Portal: 7699
ShortName: ST:BushDown
Nearby sites: SX68498217

Hurston Ridge Cairn

OS Map: SX 67006 81841
NMR record: SX 68 SE 21
HER record: MDV6609
ShortName: CN:Hurston
Butler map: 25.10
Grinsell: LYD 30
Notes: Hurston ridge; pillaged cairn (diam 8m) examined in 1900. Yielded large portion of broken urn (circumference 1.12m), resting mouth down on flat stone covering pit filled with wood charcoal. The urn was partly protected by a leaning stone kept in position by trigger stones. Highly ornamented. Dark, friable pottery containing little clay. No surrounding stone circle (worth).

See also HER record MDV6542.

Cinerary urn from Cairn at Hurston, Chagford. The urn was reconstructed in 1962 and today can be seen at the Plymouth Museum.

Butler: "Hurston Ridge Cairn at SX67008182 of circa 9.0 metres diameter by 0.2 metres high. Cairn was lost soon after it was discovered in 1900. However the cairn is still to be found on the west side of Assycombe Hill and only a triangular slab lying flat on the south-east edge of a low mound. Until 1986 another slab lay in the shallow pit at the centre which was perhaps the stone which protected the urn but this has since been taken away."
Nearby sites: SX67018184