Browse crosses

Location

O/S Grid Ref:  SX/59985/82933       Longitude/Latitude (Degrees+/-):  -3.98102/50.62923 

Map location:  Click here to view map.

Purpose: The purpose of these crosses is unknown.

Size: Neither the rocks nor the crosses have yet been measured.

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.

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.