Over the last 3 years, DPA Conservation Volunteers have been working to clear invasive bracken from archeological features at the Hound Tor 2 site. Although less well known than the Medieval Village, this area (340m NW of the Medieval Village – grid reference about SX745790) offers some fascinating insights into the lives and farming practices of inhabitants of Dartmoor in the past. Part of the large area, including the Medieval Village and associated field system, is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (see plan).

Here Medieval farmers had reused and incorporated prehistoric hut circles into their farmstead. One of the hut circles was used as the foundation course for a medieval stone building. A well-preserved longhouse, along with other stone structures, enclosures and passageways are also present. Parts of the site were excavated in the 1960s by pioneering archaeologist Mrs. Minter (whose work on Dartmoor made a huge contribution to the understanding of medieval archaeology). The areas then excavated were not backfilled, so the original Medieval walling is still exposed.

Despite an extensive clearance in 2012, by 2025 bracken was again very dense. Dartmoor National Park Authority archaeologist Andy Crabb is currently working with local landowners and graziers to put more stock on the area to help keep the bracken down. In May 2025 DNPA Youth Rangers cleared a large area but, by late June, regrowth had again made the features hard to find. So in June and July DPA volunteers removed bracken during its main growth season, plus we have planned more visits over the autumn. As bracken takes years to be controlled, continuing involvement by both volunteer humans and stock will be needed, so that in time Hound Tor 2 can be as clear as the main Medieval Village and the Buckland Common site, where DPA volunteers began work in 2016.

Volunteer Co-ordinator Sylvia Hamilton said: ‘The bracken in the area is incredibly tall so it was a challenging task. We surprised ourselves with how much we managed to clear. It was very satisfying to see the walls of the longhouses and a substantial roundhouse beginning to appear. We will return in the autumn to tidy up and leave the site clear of gorse and dead bracken.’

Our DPA Conservation Volunteers are a dedicated and friendly group, who are keen to welcome new faces on their Dartmoor workdays. Find out more about how to join them HERE.

Image: Andy Crabb/ Sylvia Hamilton