Down Tor
Stone circle and row
SX 587 694
From the Princetown/Yelverton road, the B3212, take a left turn for
Burrator Reservoir. The most direct, but narrow route is not signed but it
is a crossroads before the Dousland turning. (A lot of sites are in this
area so it is worth having a map of the narrow lanes around here.) When
you reach the reservoir turn left and continue to a large car parking area
after a steep bend just over a bridge at the NE end of the reservoir. A
track heads off from the car park to the SE but where it starts there is a
footpath sign pointing east (to the left) take this route. This path will
take you to Down Tor.
The first rocks you come to are not the top! When you climb up to the base of the rocky top of the tor the path goes through a wall.
View from the top as the weather worsens
Unless you are feeling fit and want to climb to the top (the view is good) turn to the right and follow around the edge of the tor then, keeping the reservoir to your back, head east and climb the rise beyond Down Tor keeping the wall on your right. As you come over the rise you will see the circle and row just below.
Down Tor
The site is very attractive. It is a ring cairn with a 350m stone row stretching away from it. We counted 31 granite stones in this circle that is only 11m diameter. Inside it is a low cairn. The stones are not large but it is an impressive circle.
Where the row joins the circle
The stones of the row increase in height as they approach the circle and the tallest stone is almost 10ft (3m) high. It is a pleasant walk with lovely views and one we want to do again in better weather.
Oct
2001