Birch Tor

Nearest town:
Ashburton (12km ESE)
OS reference:
SX686816
OS sheet:
191
Latitude:
50° 37' 7.21 N
Longitude:
3° 51' 27.59 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Looking from the minor road crossing the western flank of Hookney Tor, Birch Tor can be seen top right, with the Challacombe stone row advancing up Challacombe Down to the centre-left.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Aug 17, 2024
Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

It is very difficult to supress the notion that Dartmoor’s craggy tors and cairns were intrinsically linked in folk’s mind when the latter were new. There really is a seemingly artificial geometry to the geology which, or so it would seem, inspired some to surround them with cairns. I was to view a splendid such example of a ‘tor cairn’ at Cox Tor a week later.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Aug 4, 2017
Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Viewed across a small summit tarn...

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Aug 4, 2017
Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

One of the substantial ‘stones’ in situ.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Aug 4, 2017
Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

Toward Water Hill (top right) and the enigmatic Warren Inn.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Aug 4, 2017
Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

The cairn, its form obscured by a heathery mantle, is deceptively substantial.

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Aug 4, 2017
Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by GLADMAN

The glowing embers of the day upon Birch Tor. Note the Challacombe Stone Row just visible extreme top left of image.......

Image credit: Robert Gladstone
GLADMAN
GLADMAN Apr 23, 2016
Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by Lubin

The cairn just to the north of the summit of the tor. The cairn is heavily overgrown with heather , as is much of this part of the moor.

Image credit: Peter Castle. ©
Lubin
Lubin Nov 5, 2006
Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by Lubin

One of the stones of the cairn still visible above the heather cover.

Image credit: Peter Castle ©
Lubin
Lubin Nov 5, 2006
Image of Birch Tor (Cairn(s)) by Lubin

One of the stones still visible above the undergrowth.

Image credit: Peter Castle ©
Lubin
Lubin Nov 5, 2006

Articles

Birch Tor

Lubin
Lubin Nov 5, 2006

This cairn is in a nice spot on the top of Birch Tor , with stunning views all around. Although the cairn is not much to look at it is worth a visit for the views alone.
This is the cairn that R.H.Worth, in 1925, found some road workers taking stones away in a cart. There would have been even less of it left if it had not been for his intervention.

Sites within 20km of Birch Tor

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