Dewerstone
50°27′18″N 4°02′35″W / 50.455°N 4.043°W / 50.455; -4.043
Dewerstone is the site of an Iron Age Hill fort on a rocky promontory overlooking the River Plym on the South West edge of Dartmoor to the North of Plympton in Devon. The fort consists of ramparts to the Northern side of the promontory at approx 210 Metres above Sea Level.[1]
"Dewer" is an ancient Celtic word for the Devil, and Dartmoor tradition has it that the Devil, riding a gigantic black horse, gallops across the Moor each night and leads a phantom pack of black hounds to chase weary or foolish humans over the Dewerstone to their deaths. Another legend has it that a shepherd actually saw the black hounds devouring an unfortunate man on his way home from the fields one night.
The area is also popular with climbers, with over 100 climbs listed. [2]
References
- ^ R.R.Sellman; Aspects of Devon History, Devon Books 1985 - ISBN 0-86114-756-1 - Chapter 2; The Iron Age in Devon. Map Page 11 of Iron Age hill forts in Devon includes Dewerstone.
- ^ Nick White; South Devon and Dartmoor- a climber's guide, Cordee 1995 - ISBN 978-1-871890-32-7 - pages 277 to 301