Tolmen Stone on the North Teign River, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park
In the south west corner of the UK, on The Land's End Peninsula (The Penwith Peninsula) in Cornwall, is a prehistoric monument called the Men-an-Tol. We've photographed it for other UK travels sites we run such as PictureTheUK.
There's a wonderful description of the Men-an-Tol in William Bottrell's 'Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall': 'In a croft belonging to Lanyon farm, and about half a mile north of the town-place, there is a remarkable group of three stones, the centre one of which is called by antiquaries the Men-an-tol (holed stone), and by country folk the Crick-stone, from an old custom - not yet extinct - of "crameing" (crawling on all fours) nine times through the hole in the centre stone, going against the sun's course, for the cure of lumbago, scatica [sic], and other "cricks" and pains in the back. Young children were also put through it to ensure them healthy growth'.
Dartmoor is home to a similar stone that's located on a bank of the North Teign River on the fringe of the National Park's high north plateau. Known as the Tolmen Stone, water has worn a hole through the stone. When the river level is low, you can climb through the hole. People believe the Tolmen Stone was once used in a similar way to the Men-an-Tol.
We've positioned the Tolmen Stone on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its exact location. The stone is just visible on that satellite imagery.
To visit, follow the road that rises from Chagford to Teigncombe and then crosses moorland to Batworthy Corner. From there, walk north west to Teign-e-ver Clapper Bridge. Cross the river such that you are on its north bank. Walk downstream and you'll come to the Tolmen Stone. You have to clamber across stones to get to it. Don't try to pass through the hole when the stone is wet or slippery. Avoid when the river level is high. Note that, after dry spells, you can walk across stones in the river from the south bank. Again, don't try this in wet weather as it's dangerous.
You can also walk in from the small car parking area by Scorhill Farm. Walk south west over Scorhill Down. Use Wallabrook Bridge to cross Walla Brook. Follow the north bank of the North Teign River to the Tolmen Stone.
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