Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers

An easy 2-mile stroll around the Merrivale antiquities near Princetown with John Noblet of Tavistock Ramblers.

This Bronze Age ceremonial site is, beyond doubt, the finest on Dartmoor. It is conveniently close to a road and there are splendid views. The walk starts from the car park known as Four Winds on the Tavistock to Princetown road (SX560749). This prehistoric complex has all the main elements you might hope to see with stone rows, a stone circle, standing stones, burial cairns and more than 30 hut circles. Near the start of the walk there are two parallel stone rows, a feature that is almost unique.

1. With your back to the road go through the gap in the stone wall, past the prominent conifer and through another gap in the back wall. Turn right, do not cross the leat, but walk alongside it on the grassy moorland.

2. Soon you will see the two stone rows ahead. Shortly before passing the large blocking stone at the end of each row, cross the leat on a tiny granite clapper bridge and walk alongside the left (longer) stone row. Stone rows are not uncommon on Dartmoor but to have two so close together is very rare indeed.

After 75m you will see the large broken capstone of a very good cist (burial chamber). A little further along the stone row is a ruined cairn.

3. Just beyond the end of the left stone row, turn right and go over a substantial bridge down a grassy path towards Great Mis Tor on the skyline ahead.

4. When you meet another broad grassy track coming up from the left, turn right up the slope. Here, mostly on the left but some on the right, are a large number of hut circles and larger pounds, in one of which you will find an abandoned apple crusher. Why this was left here and never finished is a mystery. Carry on up the grassy path bearing slightly to the right of the communications mast of North Hessary Tor. After 100m look out for the stone rows we followed earlier.

5. Cross the leat on the same clapper bridge as previously and turn right as far as the cist. Now bear left, again on a grassy path, towards the large standing stone and a small stone circle (although many of the stones are missing).

6. Turn left at the standing stone, again on a clear path towards the mast, and ignore any side turnings to the right. The line of an old railway can be clearly seen on the right. It was built by the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway in 1823 and was originally horse-drawn.

7. At a grassy area where you can see a ford crossing the stream on your right, bear left up the slope towards another large standing stone and the trees of Four Winds beyond. This is a “TA” stone originally marking the route of a pack-horse track between Tavistock and Ashburton. Carry on towards the car park, crossing the leat on another small clapper bridge.

Why not join Tavistock Ramblers for more Dartmoor walks or see John’s book of fairly short Dartmoor walks entitled “Walks for All Ages on Dartmoor”?

Go to www.tavistockramblers.org.uk for more details