Fitz Well and Cross, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park

Fitz Well and Cross, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park

Just west of the moorland road that climbs from Okehampton to Okehampton Camp are Fitz Well and Cross. Unless you're specifically looking for the cross, it's likely that you'd miss it. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting of the accompanying Google map to see its location.

In his work 'The Ancient Stone Crosses of Dartmoor and its Borderland', the Dartmoor expert William Crossing writes:

'In Bridges' Account of the Barony and Town of Okehampton it is stated that there existed a tradition which affirmed that the cross was brought to the well from St. Michael's Chapel of Halstock, vestiges of the foundations of which are to be seen at the eastern end of the park, but I have never heard it so related in the neighbourhood ... For a long time the cross lay by the side of the pool. It is now rescued from a position so likely to have brought about its entire destruction, and placed in one not only effective, but in which its preservation is ensured.'

There's a small car parking area by the side of the moorland road south of Fitz Well and Cross. Wander across to see them. The land here can be quite boggy.