Fernworthy Stone Rows

Fernworthy Forest

Devon

England,

United Kingdom.

(Grid Ref: SX655841)

Fernworthy Forest is a large coniferous plantation within the Dartmoor National Park, it was established shortly after the First World War in an effort to replace much reduced natural resources. The nearby Fernworthy Reservoir was constructed in 1942.

The southern stone row, very low stones barely poking above the earth, is difficult to discern and probably consist of a dozen or so small stones. This avenue leads towards the stone circle of Froggymead, 27 stones of local granite arranged in a circle some 20 metres in diameter; nearby are a number of burial cairns.

From the circle a row continues northwards, again the stones are difficult to recognise as they too are very small and hidden by the grass and vegetation. Archaeological excavations of stone rows in Dartmoor show that they were most often constructed in woodland clearings that were once used for agriculture. The northern row is said to be formed of 32 standing stones and 20 recumbent stones, or stones barely breaking through the surface of the earth - a 'blocking stone' stands at the northern end.