SUNSET AT SHOVEL DOWN: ASTRONOMY AND ANCIENT STONES

Come join us to experience the enigmatic stone rows and menhir of Shovel Down under the dying light,  for tall tales and sky chat at this incredible time of year, which sees the return of the Pleiades and other objects heralding the summer months. We’ll aim to arrive at the menhir around 8:20 pm, just in time for sunset at 8:40 pm, before embarking on a gentle, low-light procession back to our vehicles.

Carolyn Kennett, an archaeoastronomer with a passion for exploring the connections between ancient peoples, the landscape, and the skies, will lead this special walk. Learn about the possible celestial alignments and the role these monuments may have played in rituals and timekeeping for our Neolithic ancestors, as the setting sun illuminates this extraordinary site.

Paul Rendell – known fondly as ‘Dartmoor Paul’ is a local historian, author, editor of the Dartmoor News and walk leader who has been walking on the moor for over 50 years. His knowledge of Dartmoor is second to none.

Meeting Place: Batworthy Corner, Chagford SX662867 Large parking area off the road leading to Batworthy. What3Words: invoices.removal.swerves

Location link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BV74r4C18g2jQwKD7

Time: 7.15pm

Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time, the walk will start promptly at 19.15 pm 

Terrain: rough ground, some pathways and open moor.

Distance approx 2.5 miles

Children welcome (under 16s free)

Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome, due to livestock

Tickets: Non-transferable

archaeoastronomycornwall.com