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Summary

Boundary Stone (8) inscribed 'WB' on the northern boundary of Headland Warren which was shown on an 18th century map

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1021342: Two Headland Warren boundary stones, 275m and 430m north of Birch Tor

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX68SE368
• National Monuments Record: SX68SE412?
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1345219
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1404505?
• Old SAM Ref Revised: 34501

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• BOUNDARY STONE (Constructed, XVIII to XIX - 1750 AD (Between) to 1880 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

'Stone' shown on 19th century map.

Butler, J., 1991, Dartmoor Atlas of Antiquities: Volume Two - The North, 26-7, Map 24 (Monograph). SDV219155.

Headland Warren boudary stone 'd' one of seven stones that follow the crooked course of the tinners' ditches along the north side of Birch Tor. Inscribed 'WB' on one face.

Newman, P., 2001, Headland Warren Part 3: The Warren, 2-5, Figure 2, No. 8 (Report - Survey). SDV359913.

(25/07/2002) Boundary stones marking the northern and eastern boundary of Headland Warren (SX 68 SE 339). A total of 13 upright granite stones, including the medieval Bennett's Cross each baring the inscription WB. A further flat stone beside the Challacombe road has the inscription 'Warren Bounds'. The stones probably date from the 18th century when the warren was founded.
The positions of the upright stones are: (SX) 6765 8116; 6781 8135; 6800 8163(Bennett's Cross); 6823 8177; 6839 8182; 6860 8167; 6864 8164; 6874 8169; 6882 8174; 6887 8181; 6951 8164 (Warren Bounds); 6965 8097; 6965 8092; 6965 8085.
For discussion of the stones see Brewer (1986, 'Headland Warren' Dartmoor Magazine, 2, pgs 22-3); Newman 2002 ('New Observations at Headland Warren' Dartmoor Magazine 66, 22-4).

English Heritage, 2005, Survey Information (miscellaneous date) (Report - Survey). SDV345855.

Stone shown on survey. Map object based on this source.

Ordnance Survey, 2015, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV357601.

'Stone' depicted on the modern mapping. Map object based on this source.

English Heritage, 2015, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV357602.

The monument, which falls into two areas of protection, includes two warren boundary stones situated on a gentle east-facing slope of Birch Tor overlooking extensive parts of central Dartmoor.
The southern boundary stone survives as a 0.7 metres high granite pillar with 'WB' inscribed on the northern face.
The northern stone is 0.9 metres high and has 'WB' inscribed on its south-west face. These stones form part of a group of at least 16 stones which denote the edges of Headland Warren. Headland Warren covers about 246 hectares and includes at least 37 pillow mounds, five vermin traps, six rectilinear enclosures and the warren house itself. The warren was certainly in existence by 1754 and continued in use until around 1920.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7139 - Headland Warren and the Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines Survey (Ref: A1/20/2001, A1/34/2002)

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