Chittaford Cairn and Cist

Nearest town:
Ashburton (14km ESE)
OS reference:
SX63677948
OS sheet:
191
Latitude:
50° 35' 54.53 N
Longitude:
3° 55' 35.55 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Chittaford Cairn and Cist by GLADMAN

Needless to say I was looking for the Roundy Park cist, so assumed the one marked upon the OS map was one and the same. Wrong! But a lovely bonus site, nonetheless.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 22, 2012
Image of Chittaford Cairn and Cist by Mr Hamhead

Looking north with tree marked to aid direction.
P.s. the arrow is no longer there...

Mr Hamhead
Mr Hamhead Oct 4, 2009

Articles

Chittaford Cairn and Cist

GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 22, 2012

Needless to say I was looking for the substantial Roundy Park cist... and assumed the ‘cairn and cist’ indicated upon the 1:25K OS map was one and the same. Wrong! But a fortuitous ‘wrong’, you might say. Don’t mind those in the least.

Although lacking capstone, I nevertheless think this is a great little monument, occupying a fine, if typically bleak location overlooking the East Dart River. Sitting inside to (partially) alleviate the adverse effects of the inclement Dartmoor weather – OK, just a few spots of rain, but the wind is up and it’s bloody freezing, clad in just my ‘lowland gear’ – I suddenly see the farmer approaching upon his quad bike (with trailer). ‘Here we go’, thinks I. But no.... the gentleman just wants to enquire if I need assistance. Receiving a ‘thumbs up’ he flashes a smile in return and proceeds to career beyond Roundy Park, engaged in ‘farmerly things’, moving sheep and such like.

I check the map.... the skyline rising above is home to the wondrous Assycombe stone row, not to mention the equally great Grey Wethers paired stone circles... and that’s just for starters. Yeah, I’ve been too long away from Dartmoor. However there is so much to see within these Isles. Another ‘cairn’ beside the Roundy Park enclosure catches my eye. Is that my original quest? As always, there’s only one way to find out. [Incidentally, it is, so combine the two for a nice little excursion].

As Mr Hamhead says, the solitary tree is the key to finding this obscure site. Head for that, trend a little to the right and, with a little perseverance, an audience should be yours.

Chittaford Cairn and Cist

Mr Hamhead
Mr Hamhead Oct 4, 2009

Not the easiest site to find....walking north along Drift Lane from Postbridge look out for a stile on the left as you start to climb out onto the open moor. Once over the stile keep going till you reach a dry ditch (the Powder Mill leat) Turn right and follow this to the first tree. Then turn uphill for about 50 yards and you just might find it....

Sites within 20km of Chittaford Cairn and Cist

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