Some of the rather large 77 curb stones containing the mound
And looking South, a very nice resting place even today
Looking North across the top of the mound
Main burial chamber, more like a dolmen on top of the burial mound
A distant view reveals just how big this grave is, approx 49m x 8m
And all is revealed! Apparently they found the bones of 36 adults and 17 children in here including evidence of brain and dental surgery
Not sure how many of these I have crawled into now, regardless, always a thrill to see what’s inside
Judging by the well worn path this is one of the most visited passage graves on the island
On top of the barrow with lake in the distance
Set on a ridge above a lake, a very nice place to spend time
Top of the world feel to this hill
Approaching the summit, a long unrelenting slog out of South Zeal, at least for these old legs
Tumulus F Inside the northern chamber
Tumulus F Northern chamber
Tumulus F Looking South towards the North
Tumulus F Entrance to chamber
Tumulus F
Tumulus F southern chamber
Tumulus F South
The simply incredible Tumulus F, an attempt to catch it in one photo failed. Guarded at both its southern and northernly ends by magnificent burial chambers
Tumulus E Reason to believe that this chamber has been remodelled over the years from circular to a more rectangular shape in keeping with other areas of the site
Tumulus E
Tumulus B in fact is an extension of Tumulus C
Tumulus B
Tumulus C from the rear, strangely squared off against a round frontage
Tumulus C Entrance to chamber
Tumuls C from the front
Tumulus A Looking magnificent on a sunny morning with no other visitors, a delight
Tumulus A. Ceremonial entrance
Inside Tumulus A
Now a case of finding my way back to Spurrells Cross and back to the railway station. Fortunately the path was more obvious going back and followed a beautiful stone row up the hill and back to the old trackway, a great way to spend an afternoon on Dartmoor
From West Glaze Brook it was a simple matter of following the stone wall, crossing three or four streams and up the hill to the old gates
I took the train to Ivybridge and began the long slog up to Spurrell’s cross, goodness I need to improve my fitness, and from there I couldn’t see any obvious path down to West Glaze Brook so it was a case of zig zagging among the sheep runs down the hill
Really interesting tomb with stones scattered across the mound making it difficult to assess its original construction. Is this the remains of a cist within the tomb or just a couple of random stones?
Well, I would never have found it if it was not for this one identifying stone, easy to walk straight past
Decided to walk over Western Beacon to see the cairns on the way back from the Cuckoo Ball , pleased I did, a bit of wind and much cooler up here
As it was a hot day I decided to go North from here to find Butterdon Hill Long Cairn and then call it quits for the day and leave Corringdon Ball for the next day. First time I have been forced off the moor due to the heat, rain, mist and fog yes, heat no!
Took the train to Ivybridge and then skirted East and finally North around Western Beacon where I was able to follow the field notes to the Monument, thank you once again to those who write them up