Heath Stone, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park
Spend time exploring Dartmoor and you'll come across plenty of curious sights. From rubber ducks dressed as Santa to carved commandments stones, giant chairs to tiny metal crosses, there seems to be endless detail to keep you entertained. One such curiosity is the Heath Stone on the eastern edge of Fernworthy Forest.
We've positioned Heath Stone on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. It's also clearly marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map. That said, it's surprisingly difficult to find. On the ground, it's one of many giant granite blocks jutting out from the moors.
To visit, follow the moorland road from Chagford to the main car park at Fernworthy Forest. From that car park, walk back up the road on which you came and you'll see lots of chunks of granite to your right, or to the east, set back from the tarmac. The Heath Stone stands upright like a miniature standing stone. Scroll through the photos for further information.
You'll notice letters cut into the north face of the rock. They are difficult to read, and photograph, but if you run your finger along them, they seem to say 'JESUS SAID I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE'. This is John 14:6 from the New Testament.
The stone was carved by Sydney Potter who once managed Fernworthy Reservoir. There's a walk near the Heath Stone called Potter's Walk.
For information on the Heath Stone, we'd recommend reading William Crossing's 'Guide to Dartmoor'. A passage starts on page 66:
'That this stone was originally a menhir, afterwards becoming a forest bondmark, as is the case of the Longstone near Kes Tor, and subsequently an adapted guide-stone, I think there can be little doubt.'
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