Browse crosses

Location

O/S Grid Ref:  SX/60027/82988       Longitude/Latitude (Degrees+/-):  -3.98045/50.62973 

Map location:  Click here to view map.

Purpose: The purpose of these crosses is unknown.

Size: The cross is 8 inches (0.20 metres) by 4 inches (0.10 metres), with a head of 2 inches (0.05 metres).

Information: There are three known incised crosses on the summit of Cut Hill.  These have all been incised on similarly sized stones, which are lying flush with the ground.  This would imply that they were all incised by the same person, but there is no evidence to show that this is actually the case.  Two of the crosses are relatively close together, being only about 65 yards apart, with the third being around 300 yards to the east of the other two.  I'm afraid we are not aware of the reason why these stones have been so inscribed, but can only guess that it's in remembrance for the loss of loved ones.

The cross, shown in the larger photo to the right, is referred to as Cut Hill Cross East.  The length of the stone is 2 feet 9 inches (0.84 metres), with a width of 1 foot 6 inches (0.46 metres). The cross measures 8 inches (0.20 metres) by 4 inches (0.10 metres), with a head of 2 inches (0.05 metres).  Cut Hill Cross West (left-hand thumbnail photo above) is sited at SX59994/83051.  This stone measures 2 feet 6 inches (0.76 metres) by 1 foot 10 inches (0.56 metres).  The incised cross is 7 inches (0.18 metres) by 3 inches (0.08 metres), with a head of 1.5 inches (0.04 metres).  The third cross (right-hand of the two thumbnail photos above) is known as the Cut Hill Outcrop Cross as it is situated quite close to an outcrop. The stone is situated at SX60290/82980 and measures 1 foot 9 inches (0.53 metres) high by 1 foot 10 inches (0.56 metres) across the centre.  The cross is 4 inches (0.10 metres) by 2 inches (0.05 metres), with a head of 1.5 inches 0.04 metres).  This cross is now showing very faint on the stone.

Although Cut Hill is one of the remoter areas of Dartmoor it has always been a favourite for the placement of letterboxes with well over 100 boxes being placed in the area during the height of the letterboxing era.  Although there are still letterboxes to be found here, they are not anywhere as numerous as they once were.

In a 2004 survey of the area, Dr Tom Greeves found what is possibly the remains of a barrow, a cairn and a short recumbent stone row on the summit of Cut Hill.  One of the six stones in the possible stone row is commonly known as the Jew Stone, as the stone has the initials JEW inscribed into its upper face.  It is not known what the initials represent, but are more than likely to be the initials of the person who made the inscription.  A number of other stones appear to have acquired names over the years, such as: The Blocks, The Guide Stone, Terry's Stone, The Pipe and Jude's Table. 

Our thanks to Paul Ramsbottom for providing photos of two crosses and the Guide Stone and to Bob Noakes for providing the photo of the third cross, together with the Grid References and Measurements of each one.