This cache is the 6th point on the Dartmoor Forest boundary, as established by the 1240 Perambulation. More details about the Perambulation can be found on the cache page for the Dartmoor Forest Bonus. On the front page of the logbook is an adjustment to be made to the Bonus co-ordinates, which you will need to find the Bonus.
The Heath Stone is thought to be the Langestone mentioned in the 1240 writ, although there is some doubt about this. The Heath Stone itself bears the crude inscription: “Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life S.E.P. 1970”. It was one Sidney E. Potter, superintendent of the reservoir, who felt the need to etch his thoughts on the ancient stones of Dartmoor in this way.
To reach this cache from Longstone on Shoveldown, walk downhill to Gate 1 (waypoint below), then contour round the hill to Gate 2. After this gate you come quickly to a tumble-down bank. Go through this bank and follow the track nearest to the fence on your left hand side. This takes you to a marked footpath through the ravaged rhododendrons and down to a footbridge. Cross the river and head back up to the visitors’ car park. Exit the car park and turn left up a short stretch of road.
If doing this cache as a standalone, the closest parking is in the reservoir visitors’ car park (waypoint below), which is pay and display. If doing the Perambulation as a route, the next point on Boveycombe Brook. Follow the track up the side of the forest until you can get past the headmire of Metherall Brook. The route then crosses the “Turbarium de Albersheved”, where commoners were granted privileges to cut turf for fuel.