Buttern Hill Stone Circle, Gidleigh, Dartmoor National Park

Buttern Hill Stone Circle, Gidleigh, Dartmoor National Park

There are many stone rows and circles on the moors above Chagford. Some, like Scorhill Stone Circle and The Grey Wethers Stone Circles, are well known and much visited. Others, like Fernworthy Stone Circle, are less well frequented because they are a little harder to find. Buttern Hill Stone Circle is one of the least visited prehistoric sites in this part of the National Park. Its stones are mostly flat on the ground. The location is sensational with huge views south to Fernworthy and Dartmoor's high north plateau.

We've postioned Buttern Hill Stone Circle on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. The circle is clearly marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map next to Buttern Hill.

To visit, head for the small car parking area by Scorhill Farm just up the road from Gidleigh. A wide, grass track rises north west and runs below the flank of the shallow domed Buttern Hill. About a mile along this track, in a dip of moorland between Buttern Hill and Kennon Hill, is the stone circle. You have to leave the wide, grass track and pick your way through tussocky grass to get to the stone circle. Whilst most of the stones are flat, it's difficult to miss the circle. Browse the photo gallery for visual information.

If time permits, head back onto the wide, grass track and follow it up to White Moor Stone and White Moor Stone Circle.

An alternative route to Buttern Hill Stone Circle starts from the car parking areas at Batworthy Corner. Cross the North Teign River and Walla Brook and wander up to Scorhill Stone Circle. From there, walk north and you'll pick up the aforementioned wide, grass track below Buttern Hill.

Note that Buttern Hill Stone Circle is one of a number of stone circles arranged in an arc. Running north to south, these are:

White Moor Sotne Circle.
Buttern Hill Stone Circle.
Scorhill Stone Circle.
Fernworthy Stone Circle.
The Grey Wethers Stone Circles.
Sittaford Stone Circle.