Dartmoor 365

On the way back from the three reservoirs we stopped at Buckfast Abbey.  It seemed so peaceful! An ancient cross from the National Park, which is older than the Abbey An ancient cross in front of the Methodist Chapel The Sensory Garden - the perfume from the roses filled the air. The giant Sequoia, older than the Abbey

It was forecast to be a hot day so I wanted a walk in the shade.  We therefore decided to explore the three reservoirs outside Bovey Tracey.  The road up to the reservoirs was scary.  It was a steep, windy single track road.  When there was grass in the centre of the road I wondered if we had gone the wrong way.  However, we eventually came to the car park at the edge of Trenchford Reservoir. We walked around this reservoir, admiring the reflections in the lake. When we reached Tottingford Reservoir we walked along the side of this reservoir.  It seemed to get even more beautiful! At the end of this reservoir we came to Kennick Reservoir. We were not able to walk around this reservoir as it is restricted to anglers.  We did walk along the road for a bit so we could see more of the reservoir.  There was one angler, but we did see some fishers. On our way back we walked along the other banks of the reservoirs.  This meant...

We parked in the forestry car park, just before you get to Postbridge.  This not only saved us the car parking fee but it was  more pleasant to park under the fir trees. We walked down to the bridges at Postbridge.  It was very busy with people enjoying the river on this warm Bank Holiday Saturday. As it was getting quite hot we thought a walk through the forest would be good.  I hoped I might catch sight of the Hairy Hands.  However, the gate leading to the forest path parallel to the road was locked, so we were not able to go that way.  Instead we decided to drive to the car park at the other side of the forest and walk from there.   As I drove along there were several patches of purple ling brightening the roadside, but no hairy hands. We were able to walk into the forest from the second carpark, although the gate leading to the river and bridge was padlocked.  We did not see any Hairy Hands in the forest, but the roots of a f...

I had only recently heard that there was a craft centre and cafe at this pottery, so I was eager to see what it was like.  The exhibition of craft work was small, but good, although expensive.  The cafe had a limited menu comprising mainly of tea/coffee and cake and as it was lunchtime we decided not to indulge.  There was a very interesting exhibition regarding the Dartmoor Hill Pony, explaining their history, uses and problems they face, which had been put on by Friends of Dartmoor Hill Pony. We were hoping to walk around the wider site, but the gate leading to the chimney was padlocked.  I was only able to photograph it from a distance.

We parked at Four Winds Carpark and followed the stream until we came to the double rows of stones. It was easy to find the Kistvaen which was just south of the stone row. The menhir was also very obvious as it is so tall.  By the side of it was a stone circle, but it was difficult to photograph it to show the circle. As we walked back to the car we walked slightly to the south of the leat and passed a route marker.  On one side a 'T' was inscribed and the other side 'A'.

We parked the car at Norseworthy Bridge and after unsuccessfully looking for the Blowing House (Q6) we climbed the path towards Middleworthy Farm and Deanscombe Farm.  These are the ruins of two old farms that were closed when Burrator Reservoir was opened. Just after the ruins of Deanscombe Farm there was a stream and very boggy ground.  We could see Cuckoo Rock but were not sure if there was a possible path the other side of the stream.  So we photographed Cuckoo Rock and turned back.

In the past we have walked along this railway from Princetown and around Kings Tor but today we parked the car at the car park at the foot of Sharpitor and cut across the base of Leeden Tor to the railway.  The path went around Ingra Tor and we then came to the bridge mentioned in  D365. In the past from this bridge we have climbed up Leeden Tor and then back down to the car, but today we just turned around and retraced our footsteps.

We were heading for Dartmeet to have lunch at The Badgers Holt.  En route we stopped at a marked car park above Dunnabridge Pound.  When we had walked down to it we discovered there was space to park right there!  It was behind a stone wall and we have driven past it hundreds of times, never being aware of its presence. Before stopping for lunch we drove up the hill from Dartmeet to the car park at the top of the hill.  The views were magnificent.  Before walking down the road to find the Coffin Stone we followed a path up the hill.  The views were enhanced by the heather that was in flower. We walked back to the road and then along the verge until we came to the Coffin Stone.  The crack in the stone has now been filled with earth and has vegetation growing from it. We drove back to Dartsmeet for lunch but The Badgers Holt is now a licensed tea room and only doing snacks for lunch.  We decided to return to Princetown for our lunc...

We started our day at Princetown having coffee and a warm scone at Fox Tor Cafe.  On our way to visit other squares in D365 we stopped at a layby just outside Princetown and walked down to Ockery Bridge.  You cannot see the clapper bridge as you drive over the road bridge. We had planned to stop at Two Bridges and walk from there, but the car park was full, so we drove on to Prince Hall.  We stopped at the side of the driveway to the hotel and walked down the private road to Prince Hall Bridge. It was interesting to see the square tunnel at the side of the bridge.  I assume this might be to drain off excess water and stop flooding.

We started by walking around Cornwood looking for the items mentioned by JH in D365.  It was the wrong time of the year to see the Three-cornered leek in the churchyard. We followed the path past the Village Hall that rejoined the road just before Wisdome Bridge.  This was a pretty spot.  I was able to walk down by the side of the river through woodland for a while and the water was rushing along over waterfalls making a delightful sound. We followed the path at the side of the river and this went gently up the hill to Cornwood.  It made a pleasant short circular walk.

We parked in the large car park on the Tavistock to Princetown road.  This car park must have the most extensive views in all Dartmoor.  We walked along the road towards Merrivale until we came to a stream.  We followed this then crossed from it to the leat and we walked along it until we came to the Wheelwright's stone. We continued along the leat until we came to Windy Post.  I had been here before but I had not noticed the 'inch hole' in the boulder as described by JH in his book. We then walked back across Whitchurch Common to the car park.