Black Rock Walk looking to Widgery Cross

Georgina Tomkins • 1 March 2024

This is a circular route from High Down along the River Lyd to the Black Rock Memorial with views to Widgery Cross

No matter the time of year or the weather we encounter, this meandering circular route down to the River Lyd, looking east towards Great Nodden, Arms Tor and Brat Tor, topped with Widgery Cross, is always full of wonderful sights and the enchanting sounds of nature. There are many paths to the surrounding Tors if you'd like to be up high, or down to the valley and river, which can be crossed in several places, whether across the footbridge, stepping stones, or narrow bands of river where you can carefully pick your way across the stony shallows. 
  • Setting off from High Down car park, with Great Nodden, Arms Tor & Brat Tor ahead

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    Setting off from High Down car park, with Great Nodden, Arms Tor & Brat Tor ahead

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  • Footbridge across the River Lyd to Brat Tor and Widgery Cross

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    Why use the footbridge when you can have fun and take the stepping stones

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  • A path downstream of Black Rock, making its way to an old ford, remnants of the Wheal Mary Emma tin mine workings from the 18th century

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    A path downstream of Black Rock, making its way to an old ford, remnants of the Wheal Mary Emma tin mine workings from the 19th century

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Making our way to the Black Rock Memorial above the river and pausing to read these moving lines, written by Captain Nigel Duncan Ratcliffe Hunter. There is an oak bench below the plaque where you can take in the beautiful views that inspired such insightful and thought provoking words. 

We captured this shot of Black Rock Memorial with the buzzard perched on the rocks above one November morning. Glancing down to Black Pool, one of our favourite pools for a quick dip at any time of year.

Another of the captivating aspects of this walk, along with so many other walks on Dartmoor, is the opportunity to encounter some of the rich and varied history of this remarkable landscape. Walking up the river on both sides of the valley are numerous remains from the Wheal Mary Emma Tin Mine, which you might be interested to explore yourself as you wander along.

  • A November visit captured this buzzard perching above the memorial

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    A November visit captured this buzzard perching above the memorial

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  • Black Pool, very popular with wild swimmers throughout the year

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    Black Pool, very popular with wild swimmers throughout the year

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  • Black Pool and the memorial viewed from east of the river

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    Black Pool and the memorial viewed from east of the river

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Heading back to High Down on a February visit the skies cleared and we were even able to spot the highest peaks on Bodmin Moor, with Bren Tor also visible. Capturing the cycle of nature in all its intricacy and beauty - Turkey Tail fungus, Pixie Cups and Star Moss make a home on this ageing hazel stump.

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    Turkey tail fungus, Pixie Cups & Star Moss

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    Far reaching views to the West with Bren Tor and Bodmin Moor in the far distance

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    High Down car park, just off the A386 near the Dartmoor Inn

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If you'd like to explore more activities and experiences whilst staying in one of our Higher Kellacott Holiday Cottages, click here

A Walk In Burley Down Woods

by Georgina Tomkins • 7 February 2024
We recently discovered this lovely peace of woodland, just a 15 minute drive away from Higher Kellacott, and found it to be a wonderful place to enjoy a mindful walk amongst nature. There are loads of paths to choose from, which take you through various sections of coniferous forest with smaller pockets of deciduous trees. There is a peaceful atmosphere and we were particularly struck by the green carpet of undergrowth, which seems so unusual for coniferous woodland, as you can see from the images and video clip below.

Morning nature walk at Meldon Reservoir

by Georgina Tomkins • 4 February 2024
Walking from Meldon Quarry car park, we crossed the West Okement River footbridge and took a woodland walk up the wooded valley towards the Meldon Reservoir car park, passing a favourite cathedral like line of beech trees and finding a wonderful collection of mosses and lichens, in large carpets on the ground and on the barks and branches of trees and shrubs. Although we haven't identified them all yet, we have samples of the beautifully names Swan's Neck Thyme Moss and Rough Stalked Feather Moss.