WW 25th February 2026

 

Always an adventure to set out from Whiteworks on a winter's evening. A real pea souper so those pesky piskies were well up to their tricks.

Down by the huge boulder and wanderingly about to the vital gate. Into the mire and a new stream crossing point - pretty good with a nice rock to help. Up the pony track, who knows where into the gloop. Surely Goldsmith' s must be there somewhere - but no, must have gone for winter maintenance. Up and over the wall and into the gert to seek shelter for a cuppa. For a brief moment it appeared as if the mist was lifting - but not to be. Round and tussockly about to Whealham Bottom Cross then steadily up to Hand Hill - always a nice find. Down back to the Nun's Cross track, over the leat and even more wanderingly back. Into Princetown where all was shut up as usual.

A proper Dartmoor evening.

TWW 24th February 2026

 

For a change it was over the Tamar and into Cornwall for our walk starting in Rilla Mill to explore the River Lynher, the Colquite Woodland, Stara Wood, Sutton and Plushabridge.

We were fortunate to have a day without rain, something unusual this year. Our walk started through the Colquite Wood looking down on a very full Lynher down the valley passing old quarries climbing to Uphill having passed Westcott House. The roadside adorned with snowdrops and the occasional daffodil. It was then down through the wood to the bridge crossing the river allowing us to explore Broad Wood and climb to the shelter where the volunteers gather who maintain the community owned woodlands, where morning coffee was taken.

It was then down again to the bridge to cross the river and continue through Stara wood until we reached a County Bridge which we crossed and then we mounted our first stile to allow us to follow the river along it on the righthand side which eventually took us back into Rilla Mill.

The walk continued  climbing short but steep steps and the increasing number of stiles to take us out of the valley again, as we crossed three fields to enable us to

walk through Sutton, passing Sutton House, and the through the fields to drop down to Plushabridge before crossing more stiles and fields to return once more to Rilla Mill and The Manor House for lunch.

Peter M

TWW 17th February 2026

 

Ten intrepid souls met up on a cool but dry day.  First stop was Cadover Cross for a photocall and then we were off on the search for lettered stones and, of course, longhouses (this is my walk after all).

Around and along the ridge, of Wigford Down, searching vaguely for the first ‘L’ stone which didn’t seem to be where it was supposed to be so we settled for a rather fine cairn and cist instead.  Onward then to cross over the Neolithic enclosure banks (yes I know, everyone thinks it’s an Iron age Hill Fort, but it now seems it’s not!) and out to the Dewerstone Hill Tor.  The weather was even fine enough for a clear view of the sea and the Plymouth Breakwater.

Some very interesting carvings on the tor – examples of early graffiti maybe, though one says “Carrington – Obit Septembris MDCCCXXX”.  – Dartmoor Poet Noel Thomas Carringotn who wrote ‘The Banks of the Tamar’ and ‘Dartmoor’.

Back along the ridge to finally find a ‘L’ stone.  L for Lopes recording the boundary between Lopes (Maristowe) and Scoble land.  Following these through some lovely gorsey brush we then emerged at ………   wait for it…… a longhouse.  Coffee had been ordered but there was no one home so we had to resort to sitting on the banks and enjoying what we had brought with us.

Feeling refreshed we attempted to find some more ‘L’ stones whilst wading through some gloriously muddy boggy bits.  Pausing only to give Urgles Cross, in the distance, a quick wave.  Having reached the road we had another vain search for a bench mark before heading down the road to find the first of the next lot of stones ‘BA’.  We followed these up the hill and visited a second Longhouse (someone got really excited!).

The “Peak” of Wigford Down was reached and another fine cairn visited.  No more Ba Ba stones (not a black sheep to be seen) – BA for Buckland Abbey – not the ancient variety of Abbey but marking the boundary of the Drake family’s ownership of Buckland Abbey.

It was then a straightforward meander down, past the old clay pits, now fishing ponds, and back to the cars.  And onwards to the Walkhampton Inn for another fine lunch.  The weather had been good to us with no rain, but no sun until we were sat in the pub, but we were grateful that we only had wet feet and the rest stayed dry.

Jane

WW 11th February 2026

 

Well that was a" stilish" walk, and by that I mean too many of them, wet, slippery, rotten and wobbly!

Are they really all necessary?
Anyway through the slippery, Spidey woods, the Cowsic river raging just below until out on the track to Beardown farm, past the empty and very dark campsite and up to the rather smelly woods and past large smelly cows.
All's well and out to the moors, a track was chosen and followed.
The dark seemed to get darker and there was a bit of confusion as to which direction we needed. As you know I only like "Down"!
A bit of toing and froing we found the desired gate, in the middle of a bog and from there the foot bridge over the leat.
Following the path, very reasonable condition considering past weather conditions.
This is another path that seems interminable until reaching woodland above Crockern cottage.
Finally out on the track past the farm, deciding to "trespass" on their very potholed driveway and back to the cars.
Two Bridges Hotel in total darkness, both entrances barriered off, no geese to be seen.
So, one shut, two to go, on to the Plume, also shut. On to the Prince, always open, No also shut!!
There's definitely something wrong with the country if all the pubs are closed.    HELP !!
Brenda

TWW 10th February 2026

 Will we be back in three hours? That’s the limit on the car park unless you pay double. Ever confident I said yes.

Quite a pleasant morning, not too windy and some blue sky in evidence. Off over the dam where we could see a couple of men in an inflatable doing work on the reservoir outlet. Round the path on the south side of the reservoir and on past Vellake Corner where the Okement was thundering spectacularly down the ravine. Past the enclosure and on towards Black Tor Copse. The selected path up toward the tor was so wet it was easier to walk in the tussock at the side. A stop for coffee in the lee of the tor, then pressing on ( ever conscious of that three hour cut off ) along the rocky track which was completely submerged in places. As we rounded Longstone Hill the rain which up toward then had been quite light, suddenly turned very heavy, fortunately it was mostly behind us. Down the steep path to the dam which at its steepest was slippery enough for Olympic snowboarding.
On to the White Heart which was very welcoming with good food and busy with locals - just what we needed.
Mike

WW 4th February 2026

 

Now that was dark, I mean really really dark, d-a-r-k. And windy, I mean really really windy, w-i-n-d-y. But, somehow, the promised rain never turned up. 

Out from Ringmoor and round by Brisworthy Plantation to the wall. Along, along seeking out the track when the stone circle popped out - that was nice. Following the track faithfully, over the ford and by the wall to seek out the vital gateway. Up to Legis which just about emerged from the blackness. Over the fence by the wobbly, pony eaten, stile and on straight into the easterly. And over to Ditsworthy Warren, the only place for shelter and a warming cuppa. The moon was scheduled to rise but not a peep, not the faintest glow. Along the refurbed track and up to Gutter. No sign of soldiers this evening, must be just too dark and windy for them. Along, along and a lot more along the interminable track back to the cars.

On to the ever reliable Burrator Inn - which was shut. So on to the ever reliable Rock which was welcoming and open. 

And then as we left the pub the heavens opened yet again. A grand evening to be out on the moor.

TWW 3rd February 2026

 

13 people braved the weather today. With heavy showers forecast, a leaden sky & very squelchy under foot we headed around Cox Tor towards Peter Tavy with a very slippery, muddy descent towards the disused Peter Tavy swimming pool where we celebrated Colin’s birthday with wine & muffins. To our consternation we learnt that the footpath via Godsworthy farm was a quagmire of cow poop so a quick re routing steered us clear of that navigational nightmare. Still a lot of water & mud on the ground after 2 months of rain & storms but we managed to cross the streams though not everyone kept their footing on the downhills. The last stretch was up the flank of Cox Tor where the wind caught us full on & a nicely refreshing rain shower to finish off. The day rounded out nicely with a visit to The Old Police Station in Princetown for mammoth portions of fish & chips.

Amber & Colin