Rough Tor - No1: Showery Tor, via the Rough Tor 'Bank Cairn', Bodmin Moor, Cornwall

Rough Tor (1,313ft) - pronounced locally as 'Row-tor' - together with its slightly taller neighbour, Brown Willy (1,378ft), forms the highpoint of Bodmin Moor, and thus Cornwall. It is crowned by two granite rock formations, or 'tors': Rough Tor, to the southwest, and Little Rough Tor to the northeast, the ridge encircled by the tumbled drystone walls of a Neolithic enclosure topped by Bronze Age cairns.
Copious Bronze Age round houses, more cairns - and even two stone circles - grace the moorland below. However, arguably the most enigmatic feature of all was not erected by man: the great tor surmounting Showery Tor to the northeast....
The Citizen Cairn approaches via the great 'Bank Cairn' which, while artificial, nevertheless runs the tor pretty close in the wonder stakes. The subject of a legendary 'Time Team' excavation, this mammoth linear stone pile heads uphill aligned upon Showery Tor, prior to veering for the main entrance to the Rough Tor enclosure. Coincidence?
As for Showery Tor, this rocky outcrop - enclosed by a prehistoric 'ring cairn' - has to be the most moving, aesthetically pleasing piece of sculpture I've seen - naturally occurring or otherwise. Shaped by millennia of vicious Bodmin Moor weather, it seems inconceivable that this just... sort of... er, 'happened'? Talentless so-called 'artists' such as 'Banksy', take note... and go back to the drawing board.
Part No2 - featuring a diversion to Showery Tor Downs before venturing to Rough Tor itself - can be seen here:
@ • Rough Tor - No 2: Roug...