Outdoors

Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers

An easy 4¼-mile walk on the edge of the moor with John Noblet of Tavistock Ramblers.

We walk over Plaster Down, following an old leat, once the water supply to the medieval manor houses of Grimstone and Sortridge, before climbing (gently) up to Pew Tor, one of the finest viewpoints for miles. A quiet lane then takes us to the pretty village of Sampford Spiney. A mix of open moorland, lanes and footpaths. Start at a small car park beside the leat at SX517719. Approaching Plaster Down from either Whitchurch or Horrabridge take the turn signed to Whimington and the parking area is 50m on the left. Walk away from the road with the leat on the left. Keep close to the gently flowing water and notice an old milestone showing that it is 12 miles to Plymouth. Why it is here, away from the road, is anybody’s guess. Cross a lane and continue towards Pew Tor, still with the leat on the left.

Splash through a ford across the leat (or step across a little further down) and turn right onto a second lane. Almost immediately (before reaching a metal gate in the wall on the right) go left on a wide grassy track towards Pew Tor itself.

At the top, you can if you wish, climb between the two main rock piles for a stunning view. North is open moorland with the Staple Tors, (Great, Middle and Little), North Hessary Tor and Vixen Tor whilst to the south Plymouth Sound and the Tamar can be seen. After taking in the views, go due south on a wide grassy path (towards Plymouth Sound in the distance). When you reach a rocky

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area go left towards a pair of houses (one white, the other not) to follow a lesser path through the bracken to reach a lane.

Turn left and shortly afterwards go right at a junction. Follow this lane to reach Sampford Spiney. In the churchyard is the Godden family mausoleum. John Godden made his fortune from trading guano on the Dutch island of Curaçao (off the coast of Venuzuela) and then for good measure married the governor’s daughter. There are also a number of fine slate gravestones to see around this lovely old church, one of which is a very unusual ‘double’.

From the church, walk down the village green past the old village cross and the Tudor manor house. Cross the lane (and a small stream), to go through a wooden gate signed as a public footpath. Follow the path through two fields (the second of which may be muddy) to reach another lane.

Turn right and walk up the hill. When the lane reaches open moorland, turn left. Walk across the open grassy area staying close to the wall on the left to get back to the car. Before leaving, note the post with a small memorial to an RAF crew whose Liberator bomber crashed near here in 1942. Tavistock Ramblers usually walk on Saturdays and Sundays and some Wednesdays. There are normally a variety of walks from short strolls to all day hikes. On the assumption that no further Covid restrictions have been put in place, details of all walks on offer can be found at tavistockramblers.org.uk. Check the Tavistock Ramblers website for the up-to-date situation and for a selection of local self-guided walks to enjoy.

AUTUMN

It’s time to prepare your wildlife habitats, feeders and drinkers for your autumn and winter visitors We have all you need at Ron’s Pets to keep your wildlife happy throughout the more difficult months