Tag Archives: Dartmoor

RAYBARROW POOL –  described as a Little Tarn, a Mere, a Mire, and more commonly a Pool which probably is the most unlikely descriptive of them all. Just like Cranmere Pool do not expect to see a body of shimmering water or expect a ‘Wild Swim’ (that is available further …

In the July of 1916, the Government introduced the Home Office Scheme whereby Conscientious Objectors were given the chance to leave prison and work at designated labour camps called “Work Centres.”. It was announced that from the 1st of March 1917 “Dartmoor Prison will be closed for convict prisoners and …

“Sir Thomas (Tyrwhitt) may be regarded as the founder of Princetown, since it was through his instrumentality that the war prison, which called the town into existence, was erected on the Moor. Many houses were built in the neighbourhood of the prison; a mill and bakery were established at Bachelor’s …

WHO IS POSSIBLY THE MOST HATED LANDOWNER IN BRITAIN TODAY? – In 2011 Alexander Darwall, a hedge fund manager of Devon Equity Management purchased the 4,000 acre Blatchford Estate on Dartmoor in 2001 which then made him Dartmoor’s sixth largest landowner. Along with Blatchford Estate Darwall also owns the 16,000 …

In 1831 Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of England stated that the parish of Christow “contained 531 inhabitants.” Nineteen years later Whites Devonshire Directory noted that there were “624 souls” living in the Parish.  It also listed that there was a school mistress/postmistress, a blacksmith, a cattle doctor, a …

In the Autumn of 2022 the Devon County Council submitted a Strategic Outline Business Case for re-instating the old Plymouth to Tavistock railway line. At onetime this service was run by the Great Western Railway Company and provided a vital link for people wishing to visit Dartmoor from Plymouth and …

East Dartmoor’s Lesser-Known Tors and Rocks. Published Date – 2022. Published by – The Dartmoor Company. ISBN – 978-0-9956902-2-6 Presentation – Soft back Price – £24. (including postage) Available from The Dartmoor Company, Amazon, etc. It is said that the word “Tor” derives from the old Celtic name of “twr” …

The Oxenham Arms at South Zeal is a fascinating place full of history and archaeology along with some notable literary connections. Today the establishment is rated as an AA 4 Star Gold Premier Collection Hotel with AA Rosette Culinary Excellence which is a far cry from its humble beginnings. The …

Just south-east of Princetown is the eminence of Royal Hill which at its height reaches 402 metres. Dotted all around the hill are various Bronze Age cairns and kistvaens. Clearly at this time the hill was regarded as a special ritual centre. Some 360 metres north-north-west of the head of …

Without question there are numerous picturesque and magical places on Dartmoor. Over the years such places have come and gone out of vogue. Tavy Cleave has always been a favourite as has the Fingle Gorge. One that seems to have slipped down the league table is the West Okement Valley. …