History

Above and beyond at Cadover Bridge

The view from Hen Tor across the china clay works to the sea

You have probably taken your children to Cadover Bridge in summer to paddle and picnic. Why not park half a mile further on and walk on up to park half a mile further on and walk on up to inspect a Bronze Age settlement; late medieval inspect a Bronze Age settlement; late medieval pillow mounds built as rabbit warrens to feed pillow mounds built as rabbit warrens to feed tinners; the interesting stones left by 19th century tinners; the interesting stones left by 19th century quarry men, and a leat still actively carrying water for the clay pits at Lee Moor?

Dartmoor is emptier now than it ever was in the old days. I must hire a Tardis from the BBC one day to go back and see exactly what was going on then. Immediately on the Plymouth side of Cadover Bridge, a tarmac road leads off paralleling the river. When it veers off up the hill, take the very bumpy track on the left, and park after 200 meters in the last small parking area by the river on the left. GR 563644. Walk on up the track, swinging widely round Trowlesworthy Warren Farm to avoid the muddy area. The long mounds you pass are pillow mounds. Beyond the farm, take the track leading uphill. Soon you will cross the leat. Now keep 100m or so above the leat to fi nd numerous traces of Bronze Age settlements. From these you must head up hill again to Lesser Trowlesworthy Tor and directly on towards Greater Trowlesworthy Tor. What directly on towards Greater Trowlesworthy Tor. What a fantastic view in all directions! North you see the claypits and beyond them Plymouth Sound gleams in claypits and beyond them Plymouth Sound gleams in the sunshine if you are lucky. Between the two tors note the sunshine if you are lucky. Between the two tors note the partially prepared pieces of reddish granite. The big round slice was supposedly to have been the base of a fl agpole in Devonport. This alone may satisfy you. If you feel emboldened and it is a lovely day, do go on to Hen Tor and the hidden gem of Shavercombe Waterfall. This is crossmoor with few if any signs of actual paths. I have done the route several times with various happy groups, always fi nding a diff erent set of tussocks and bogs to negotiate! I suppose I must recommend staying a little below the direct line to Hen Tor looking to fi nd a path going diagonally up right to swing behind the Tor. The view from the top is stunning, across swathes of Moor past Ditsworthy Warren Farm on the other side of the Plym. Stephen Spielberg used this farm as a major location in his fi lm War Horse.

There is a path the other side of the Tor. Though is seems to lead too far left, apparently missing Shavercombe, it is wise to follow it down before swinging back right to the narrow cleft carrying the stream and then going upstream to the waterfall. A direct line crosses interesting tussocks with bogholes between. The return is slightly shorter. Stay at the current height above the Plym, losing height gradually across rough ground. You will intersect the Lee Moor China Clay leat as it zig-zags to cross a stream amusing called Spanish Lake. A very rough path on its lower side leads back to above Trowlesworthy Warren Farm. Warning! If there is any likelihood of mist, do carry a compass, especially to get you back down in the right direction. Do join in with longer walks with either the Dartmoor Rambling Club (DRC) or Plymouth Ramblers. We know the Moor, the coast and all parts in between. Phone Ron Smith on 07780913546 for DRC, or Google ‘Plymouth Ramblers’.n

Walk start: SX 55446 64499 expectant.broken.drones