Winter walking high above Burrator Reservoir in the Yelverton area.
Jill Pendleton's notes of a cold but sunny Dartmoor walk taken on Sunday 23rd January 2011.
You know how it is when you go out for a walk because you feel you have to rather than you want to ? Yup ?
Well I had been wittering on for months about going to Burrator Reservoir not far from Yelverton, and Rob, reaching the end of his tether with me, issued instructions to get making a picnic. Today would be the day. The chap on our local weather forecast told of a dry but cold day with no rain. But 15 minutes into the journey we were tempted to give up.
The clapper bridge at Postbridge was deserted and there was very little in the way of traffic on the roads. Not many folks about at all. We pass the Warren House Inn in what looks like low cloud, and at Princetown, the prison is looking mean and moody. Pity the poor workmen currently working in the cold on scaffolding on the southern end of the building.
We have made plans to call in on Trevor and Sue who run Pixeycombe B&B at Meavy. Trevor suggested that we leave the car here and that he directs us to one of his favourite walks in the area that has a good view of the reservoir and dam.
Sue takes the young horse off on a lead rein to get her used to traffic. By now the sun is shining and because
Pixeycombe is sheltered from the wind, it feels more like a pleasant Autumn day.
Trevor walks up the road with us and sets us off in the right direction, telling us a little of the history of the
now disused railway line that once carried granite off the Moor from the now abandoned quarry.
To start on this walk without calling in at Pixeycombe, you can find space to park your vehicle at the second turn on your left, immediately after the houses fade out on the road to Burrator from nearby Dousland. Ref SX 542 678 and if you do have a map you will easily see the dismantled railway running parallel and the immediate north of the access road.
The old track is clearly found and provides a wide open space and direct route in the direction of the reservoir.
Take time to turn around and check out the view behind you, way out over the Tamar estuary and littered
with vapour trails all going in one direction to a point on the horizon over the sea.
At the end of the straight track, you will see in the distance the tower of St. Leonard's church looking small below the upwards slopes of Sheeps Tor, easily the most impressive tor in the area, standing high and proud above the water.
The church dates back to the 15th century, and like so many of the Dartmoor churches is reknowned for
it's impressive rood screen. One day I will have time to visit all of the Dartmoor churches, but not today.
No wonder this girl is smiling. The view here takes in the south face of the dam with the water shining blue beyond.
Anyone with a camera will want to snap the view.
The reservoir was opened on the 21st of September 1898 flooding 117 acres of farmland. It took 7 years to complete.
As we leave the railway track and carry on along the cycle track the view gets more and more impressive.
The cycle track loses height at this point, and the railway track climbs, so we head off through the undergrowth and regain the track being amply rewarded with the view from up here. Sorry for the shoulders of the wide angle lens.
Another marble bench is in place here and Rob suggests that we have our lunch. This surely is the best view of all to picnic on Dartmoor? Apart from the freezing cold wind that Rob sits with his back to. I sit on my rucksack to keep me from the icy cold of the granite and Rob sits on a collection of the gloves and the map, as we promise ourselves a return visit in the summer with the family. Various dog walkers go past some with bikes too. Everyone is drawn to this magnificent view of the bluer than blue water below. Looking at the map, I think we can see South Hessary Tor (or is it Leather Tor ?) on our left (pic above dog), Combshead Tor just to the right of the dog (above) and fabulous Sheeps Tor dominating the scene. How I wish we had a local know it all here, to tell us for certain which is which !
This is perfect weather for good photos. This old kissing gate once did service at the side of the line at Burrator Halt.
If we carry on we shall enter woodland at what shows as Burrator Lodge on the map. It is possible to drive around the reservoir and across the dam, where an ice cream van is on offer. But the sun is losing height quickly now and the
temperature drops rapidly as the sun disappears out of sight. We decide to start the walk back as more cyclists arrive.
Clearly this area is full of history, not just the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway which used to run from Plymouth . The map is dotted with settlement field systems and hut circles, tin workings and disused tin mines. With romantic names such as Feather Bed, Yellowmead Down, Middlewort Plantation, Yennadon Down and Ringmoor Down. History buffs would love the ancient stone rows and settlements.
This is my favourite picture of the day. It looks for all the world as if Rob has an old man's staff in his hand,
but look closely and you will see that it is one of the telegraph poles that trail over this landscape.
The ice in the puddles hasn't managed to turn back to water today and I'm glad of my many layers of clothing.
Far more cars are about on the journey home and as the sun throws out it's last strong beams, I just can't resist taking yet more photos of this wonderful barren landscape as we climb up to Princetown, the highest town in England.
Dartmoor has so much to offer for fans of the Great Outdoors. If you haven't yet seen Burrator, I can recommend it.
Accommodation within walking distance of this walk - Pixeycombe and The Old Dairy and Barnabas House
Go back to Jill's Dartmoor Accommodation home page.
