Scorhill has been one of my favourite places to visit with my dogs for over twenty years, so I was excited to see what puppy Maisie made of it on Christmas Day last year.
Just like past dogs Jake & Bruce, then Daisy & Skye, she absolutely loved it! The grass was crispy, the puddles all iced over (to Maisie’s utter delight!) the skies were blue and clear, and we were the only ones there, no one else for miles and only the sound of running water and birdsong to accompany us. Complete bliss.
There’s lots to explore, walk a little further down, cross the small clapper bridge and discover the Tolman Stone! We’ve added a walk that includes everything for you to try at the end of this piece.
Scorhill (pronounced Scorhill) Stone Circle is an English Heritage scheduled monument, one of Devon’s biggest and most intact stone circles, situated on Gidleigh Common on the north east of Dartmoor.
The circle was constructed in the Bronze Age, it has 23 standing stones and 11 laid flat, and is approximately 27 metres in diameter. The stones vary in height from 0.85 metres to a hefty 2.25 metres.
When viewed from the centre of the circle, the sun sets over the stone’s tip on Midsummer’s Eve, indicating some meaning in ‘archaeo-astronomy’.
You can read more about Scorhill Stone Circle on Tim Sandle’s fabulous website – Legendary Dartmoor.
You might like to try this walk – Scorhill and Teignhead Walk
Length: Two 5-mile walks or one 10-mile walk
Start point: Car park at Batworthy Corner SX662 865.
Basic route: (Blue route) Into the valley of the North Teign River to Gidleigh then to Scorhill Down and the Tolmen Stone and back to Batworthy Corner. (Red route) Over Shovel Down to Manga Farm and Teignhead Farm ruins and return via Kestor Rock to Batworthy Corner.
Post Walk Refreshments.
The Globe Inn, Chagford is a 16th Century Inn, in the heart of the National Park, and there’s often a fun event going on in there as well.
Mill End Hotel, Chagford is extremely dog friendly, situated on the banks of the River Teign. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Post Inn at Whiddon Down is a traditional 16th century village inn, and is very well known for the Sunday Carvery!
Gidleigh Park Hotel. Dogs are welcome on the terrace, or you can make use of the complimentary kennels if the weather is awful.