Rock Idols : A Guide to Dartmoor in 28 Tors

Dartmoor's tors have fascinated visitors for centuries. This guide sheds new light on these ancient granite stacks, weaving together original drawings with folklore, nature, history and practical information to inspire visitors to fully discover their magic, and to explore the human relationship with ancient stones and wild places more deeply.

Fantastical yet natural, Dartmoor’s 280-million-year-old tors are among the most iconic landmarks in Southern Britain. Victorian antiquarians described them as ‘rock idols’, believing them to be stone deities worshipped by the Druids. Thousands of years before that, they inspired our ancestors who built ceremonial stone rows and circles aligned with them. Today, the tors are loved by walkers, climbers and locals, who visit in their thousands every year. Rock Idols is a hymn to these mysterious monoliths, in which the authors share tales of their trips to 28 of the tors. With stunning original drawings, the book delves into the moor’s archaeology, folklore and geology. It is a meditation on the human relationship with ancient stones and wild places, and the hold they have over our imagination. Rock idols tells the story of Dartmoor through the lens of its tors. With captivating original artwork, personal stories and practical information, discover why these ancient stones continue to fascinate us. ** Hike to the dramatic heights of Bench Tor, where the River Dart carves its way through the valley below. ** Explore the twin tors of Blackingstone Rock and Heltor, linked by legend and geology. ** Stand where medieval tin miners once held parliament at Crockern Tor, where the spirit of  ‘Old Crockern’ still inspires. ** Experience the haunting beauty of the Dewerstone, its sheer cliffs rising above the River Plym, shrouded in myth and cloaked in Devon rainforest.