TWW 27th January 2026
Divide and Conquer ?!
Not the usual start from Sourton Church, but instead heading south down the A386 a short way before crossing the fields to Cleave and the old A30. The stile here provided a bit of a challenge to those of lesser stature and mobility! A short way down the road we turned onto the lane past Quarry Cottage to Sourton Quarry. This limestone quarry originally produced building stone but in the 19th, century was producing quick lime for agricultural use. The quarry was abandoned in 1906 when it suddenly flooded, and it is now a nature reserve leased by the Devon Wildlife Trust. Onwards and upwards till we reached the road and headed for Lake. Crossing the A386 and followed the footpath under Lake Viaduct where we found a sheltered spot to stop for a brew.
Suitably (?) refreshed, we set off to ascend Lake Down. However, some found the climb a little too challenging and opted to return to the cars via the Granite Way. Others carried on up to the ridge and then on to Sourton Tors. The wind was really beginning to blow at this point and the short hail shower was really quite uncomfortable, though at least the wind was more or less behind us. From here, some opted for the direct route back to the cars while others (well one of us) followed the planned route via the ice works to reach the cars not long after the others.
From there it was a short drive to the Fox and Hounds for a well deserved lunch.
Phil
WW 21st January 2026
It’s so much harder in the dark!
Just do my familiar route from Merrivale the opposite way round I thought. Easy!
So up to the end of the stone rows. Why is it so rocky and hut circles? We got there but at the other end. Then by a circuitous and very soggy route down to the stream which tonight was a rushing river. All made it across safely and on to the wall to lead us to the path up to the railway line. Missing out the planned climb up to King’s we went west to find Hucken. The Piskies were at it again so we missed the main bit but found the ladder over the wall into the fields to explore the rest of the dramatic rocks that make up the Tor. Down through the woods we heard the roar of the river Walkham long before we saw it. Along the track which was more stream than path. It was good to see lights on in Longash Farm with warnings of children and animals but nothing about naked men!
We soon saw the blazing lights of the Dartmoor Inn. Not worth seeing if they were still open at 9.15 so on to the Whitty which was open after their New Year break.
Very Nice.
Stella
TWW 20th January 2026
Well, that was wet, wet and even wetter. T'was windy, windy, and more windy at the top of Bellever Tor!
We do seem to pick days to walk that nobody, nobody in their right mind would ever do. Do you think "age" is making us a bit stupid ? Or is it because we've seen it all, done it all and just don't care anymore? I think we just love a challenge and to be outside whatever the weather. Of course we like to be "alone" on the moors too, don't we?We parked up at the incredibly small car park and struggled up the waterlogged track, surrounded by fallen trees, chopped down trees and mud, mud and more mud. Finally out on to the track that leads to southern boundaries of Bellever Forest, a little respite here from the wind and out to follow the track/wall to the large galvanised tank that always has the most clearest of water. Small delay whilst Huey negotiated the locked gate and off up the track to Laughter Tor. Not the way I wanted to go but silent glum faces and a mutinous atmosphere made me aware I'd better watch it !!
Quick photo call and glancing look at the two memorials and we turned down again by the wall to get back to the relative calm of the forest. Found a lovely damp mossy bank to have a belated drink before setting off up the slippery steps and up the track to the most beloved and popular tor on the moors. Don't think the spiritual gods of Bellever wanted company today. It did it's best to blow us off. Back down the well worn track and back to the relative calmer forest.
Getting back to the cars just as it started with horizontal hail turning to sleet.
Back to the near empty PofW. They did their best to please us, but we were still wet and cold so left the socialising to those that only joined us for lunch!
I've decided against doing any more walks this winter!!!!!😉😜
Brenda
WW 14th January 2026
A True Classic: Cox, Dip, Roos, Great, Middle, Little.
Well, it seemed as though it would be another damp, gloopy, misty evening. But at Pork Hill a few brave stars had popped out, a gentle southerly breeze and quite good visibility. Up to Cox, always a nice spot although usually a lot windier. Down through the thufurs to Beckamoor Dip - a sacred pool. Nice views with just a tinge of light. Round and up to Roos without its red flag. Great Staple Tor clearly visible with the lights of Plymouth behind. Up and on to Middle. Some plinky plonky rain tried to arrive - you know the sort of rain you can really only detect with your hood up. Over to Little and across the brook and back. Just as the proper rain started to arrive.
All in all, rather a pleasant evening to be out to all the so, so familiar places.
TWW 13th January 2026
Another rainy day loomed and hoods up as we left the Arboretum carpark and trudged towards the first farm at Narrator. Mossy shapes below the dripping trees revealed more questions than answers. Who was WIFF, letters carved on a boulder, above a small incised cross in what would have been a garden plot ?
Was it "wife" ? Or a pet. Or maybe the unfortunate son William Jackman struck by lightning in 1882. The last family to live there were the Watkins. They supplemented their income greeting summer guests. They reported an abundance of snakes, indoors and out ! No connection to guests!!
Here too the last known pine marten in this area was seen in the1950s.
Moving on now past the low ruins of farm buildings and the upturned granite trough and up along the grassy track beside the Roughtor Plantation and with Sheepstor behind us. The weather had brightened nicely and using committee guidance we picked our way down into the Narrator Brook Valley floor and over the stile at the bottom and a faint track up into the complex of Outholme/Outcome Farm unmarked on the map except for "blowing house". Lived in by Crebers 1741 'til 1849. This was a lovely spot for birthday flapjack and cuppa, lichen bunting all around and low walls on which to pitch. (Dartmoor Explorations gives a detailed photo essay on this intriguing site, unbeknown at time of visit.)
Along the Narrator Brook valley side and over the lively flow up to the diminishing Combeshead Farm with its sturdy convenience !! Last inhabited farm in Burrator catchment. William Pengelly refused to leave until he died in 1931.
Across to Deancombe now where enough evidence of buildings for a good sized hamlet were found.
Staddlestones, a knife grinder support and a trough suggest a thriving community. Farming and tin mining supporting generations from the 14th century.
Off along the track now to the well preserved barn at Middleworth Farm and to finish the walk off, a quick scramble up to the stunning tors of Little Down and Snappers and their beautiful views across Burrator Reservoir.
Still dry we drove off down to the Walkhampton Inn where we had a lovely lunch and 10 clean plates showing our appreciation !!
Anne
WW 7th January 2026
Now that was quite a change. After four days of lying snow and ice all back to normal. Nice and misty and gloopy to set out from Oakley Cottage. All the snow has gone - who knows where? Steadily up to Pew, which loomed large, and down the track, across the leat to Feather. To Windy Post - always a nice spot whatever the weather. Along the leat for a nice cuppa sat on the wheelwright's stone. Round the bend by the aqueduct. Perhaps crossing the leat a bit too early as the pixies tried their best. Windily down to the Vixen Tor ramparts where the super strong locked gate could easily be opened. But no; down and round. Must have gone underneath Heckwood I suppose. Dim lights of Pew Tor Cottage showed the turning point back to Pew and down. So, goodly time for a refreshing pint in the Whitty. But, NO, all well shut up for a winter break.
A pleasant, mild, proper Dartmoory evening.
TWW 6th January 2026
What a lovely day for a walk. Cold but sunny, and crunchy underfoot with a sprinkling of snow on hard frosty ground. Five healthy souls gathered at the Tamar Trails Car Park having negotiated slippery roads and driveways to get there.
Taking the first left we descended steeply down uneven steps through the remains of the Bedford United Mine. Interesting holes and tunnels. Through beautiful mixed woodland. Still and quiet, very different to when it was working in the 1800’s.
Popping out on the nice wide path with icicles hanging from the rock face along the river past Blanchdown Farm. Then turning right onto an unmarked track we climbed up into the sun and out on to the bare arsenic spoil heaps. Lovely views over surrounding farm land but not a place to stop for coffee so on up to the main path to find a welcome bench. Then despite the dire warning of death we explored the Weal Anna Marie Calciner Complex.
Then on up to find Jon’s swing. Wonderful!
Back down for a quick stop at the Old Mine Office with a photo of my lovely, late next door neighbour Phil Hut who was head forester for the Duke of Bradford. He and the Earl developed the Bradford / Hut planting plan so that there was continuous cover in the forest despite regular commercial felling. He was a prisoner of the Japanese working on the Changi Railway in the war. An amazing man. He was determined to live to 104 like his mother but disappointingly died just before his 100th birthday.
Back to the car park in good time and on to a very nice lunch at the Blacksmiths.
Stella
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