Welcome to Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Artefact 1: What and Where is This?

This is an uppingstock or uppinstock (it also has many other names). Its use is described by Charles Laycock in the 1920 Transactions of the Devonshire Association in a paper entitled ‘The Old Devon Farmhouse’ as follows:
“a small flight of three or four stone steps, usually against a wall, from which horses were mounted. In the old days of the pillion, when a farmer’s wife or daughter rode behind him on a cushion attached to the saddle, the uppinstock was in daily use; even now, the ladies of the household, who still ride side-saddle, if any are to be found, would find it almost impossible to mount unaided without it. There were often two uppinstocks to be found on the same farm, one near the front entrance, the other near the back. If the farm-house were enclosed within a garden, the uppinstock would be built against the garden wall..”

Artefact 2: What and Where is This?

This is a granite stand for milk churns waiting to be picked up by the dairy, dating from the time that dairy cattle were present in the fields around Widecombe (which would have been common not so long ago). Surplus milk went off to the dairy for processing and sale.

Artefact 3: What and Where is This?

This is a re-used granite stone that has been previously used for some purpose that has created a concave shape in it. We originally thought this was a mortar stone and had been created by a stamping mill hammer as would be used in tinning, but another idea is that it is the socket for a gate post, perhaps from the nearby field gate. It is just possible that it is natural of course.

Artefact 1: What and Where is This?

This is a granite feeding or watering trough that was fashioned more or less in situ on the moor but never brought down to be used or sold.

Artefact 2: What and Where is This?

A very large granite boulder that has been split using what looks like the feather and tare method. Perhaps it was at the very end of granite quarrying on this part of the moor and the instruction to stop came before the job was finished, but there could of course be other explanations.

Artefact 3: What and Where is This?

This is a granite cist or burial chamber that dates from somewhere before the late Bronze Age (precise date unclear). It has been robbed and. This will be found a bit further south than the other artefacts.

Artefact 1: What and Where is This?

Two Crosses is mentioned on the Tithe Map of 1843, probably as the point of the crossing of two paths, although there may be other interpretations that are possible. This stone was cut and erected early in the 21st century by the Widecombe History Group and Dartmoor National Park.

Artefact 2: What and Where is This?

Hameldown is criss-crossed by ancient and not so ancient field boundaries. This one is a very clear remnant of a boundary, which has probably been robbed of a few stones and generally pulled apart either deliberately or through natural causes. The whole of the Hameldown ridge close to Widecombe was probably enclosed at one time, but these enclosures have since been abandoned for one reason or another. It’s worth seeking these boundaries out and following them to see where they go and what other boundaries cross them and whether those other boundaries are of an earlier or later date.

Artefact 3: What and Where is This?

A final attempt to split this rock on the tor. In fact there is not a lot left of the tor at all, although enough for it to be recognised as one. It makes you think what these tors might have looked like before local farmers started taking the stone for building etc (although this has no doubt been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years). There is a story that these holes were made by the feet of a fox that had got very hot running from the hunt.

Artefact 4: What and Where is This?

A boundary stone. We are pretty certain this relates to Jordan Manor boundary. Jordan used to be known as ‘Dewdon’, hence the ‘D’.

Artefact 5: What and Where is This?

Part of a mill or grinding stone of some sort, fashioned on the moor but perhaps broken before completion. Just off the footpath from the car park to Wind Tor.

Artefact 6: What and Where is This?

A moor gate. At one time there were gates on just about every road up on to the open moor in order to keep livestock from straying. To drive onto the moor you would have had to open and close at least one of these gates on your way through. Now largely replaced by cattle grids, or nothing at all, only a few remain. This one is at the top of Church Lane up from Widecombe (lane opposite the tennis court).

Artefact 1: What and Where is This?

Another boundary stone, this time between Natsworthy and Widecombe Town Manors, we believe. L Corner relates to the fact that the boundary is on a corner (!).

Artefact 2: What and Where is This?

Believed to be an abandoned New Holland Baler.

Artefact 3: What and Where is This?

A partially cut and/or dressed stone, never completed.

Artefact 1: What and Where is This?

This looks like a man-made enclosure wall that makes use of the natural granite on the tor to enclose an area of land. If you look around the tor you will see the other sides treated in a similar way.

Artefact 2: What and Where is This?

This is a robbed out cairn and cist known as the Moneypit Cairn (ever hopeful!).

Artefact 3: What and Where is This?

This proved difficult to photograph as it was so large. It could be a pound or a very large round-house. Whatever it is it is very impressive.