My first walk of 2020 and I wanted to work my way back into walking. I hadn’t walked properly since the day before the general election (the 11th Dec), not for any protest reason, but because the weather was very poor in that time and I had been rota’d into far too many shifts for my liking over Christmas. Well no more of that for me as I start a new job in the first week of the new year! This walk is a simple one, with a bit extra, the walk up Brent Hill is very simple, up the lane on the west side of the hill, hang a right up a track when you are level with the summit and then enjoy the view. Well the weather was pretty gloomy, making any distance views a no go, instead on the way down I picked off Lutton Tor and Underhill Tor to make it a bit more interesting, before joining an old path on the eastern side of the hill which is either out of bounds or the farmer wants to persuade you not to go that way anymore, hence the tying up of the gate at the summit. However as you can see from my photos the path is clear on that side and it continues to the road at the bottom. After this walk I felt really good and planned two more walks for the next two days, I’d got my walking mojo back.
| Start – South Brent |
| Route – Lydia Bridge – Lutton – Brent Hill – Lutton Tor – Underhill Tor – South Brent |
| Distance – 2.5 miles Start time – 11.30pm Time taken – 2hrs Highest Point – Brent Hill 311metres |
| Weather – Cold, damp, drizzle, misty |
© Crown copyright 2019 Ordnance Survey FL 2019 SF
South Brent church, St Petroc’s. That’s Ugborough Beacon back right. Probably the hill most in view on this walk
Cross over the railway line, then drop down to the left, or go under the tunnel below the line
I’d followed the river Avon for a short distance after crossing the railway line in order to arrive at Lydia bridge. A very pretty spot in summer with the sun shining
I’d climbed up on to the bridge road to take this photo of the waterfalls beyond the bridge
I walked back along the road then turned left and uphill. Before long a gateway gives you a view to Ugborough Beacon again
Further along and a view along the Avon valley. That’s Grippers Hill at the far end
Turning right to go up Brent Hill I pass these cows.
This photo is taken looking back down the track to Brent Hill. Three Barrows is back left
To the north east towards Rippon Tor
I’d hopped over the fence to take this photo of the trig and the views into Dartmoor
That’s the remnants of the old iron age fort on the left. South Hams stretching away beyond
Back on the west side of the fence and dropping down now. Again the Avon valley cuts from bottom left across to the right on the photo. And a rain shower passes across Grippers Hill
Not far from the summit of Brent Hill and just after the lower outcrop of Brent Hill is this tor. Lutton Tor sits just inside the trees
Lutton Tor
Dropping back down from Lutton Tor, turning left and following the path to a broken gate, pass through that and after 50 metres up into the trees brings you here. This is Underhill Tor and if you climb up the outcrop
The top rock of Underhill Tor and the misty view north east
That’s South Brent down there. You would normally see Plymouth from here as well, but not today
Now running through the middle of Underhill Tor is a wall. I got down from the tor then went over the wall, a short distance after that was a fence, over that brings you to this path. As you can see it is well trod, and is a path, follow it all the way down and left to the road gate
A train on the track
Once back down you pass this fine house. The river Avon and the path I took to Lydia bridge is just left of the house behind the bushes
Back at the railway. The car park is behind the building on the right. A fine walk and I was ready for more by the time I got back to the car. At home I’d planned two more walks over the next two days. Bring ’em on.
treksandtors 
Brilliant photos of Lutton and Underhill Tors, Stephen! I love both of them and you did them justice. Cheers Max.
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Thanks Max, those two are great for winter walking, you can see them better in the woodland without the leaves getting in the way
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Lovely photos.
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Nice little walk and great to see you back in the walking groove! 🙂
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Think I’m on 5 walks now this year, couple still to write up. Planning one for saturday with the boys which might be coastal.
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Done this today – went up from under hill and came down at Luton. Despite South Brent being our nearest shops, I haven’t climbed Brent Hill in years , since the children were small . I remember it as easy up to the top but a difficult hill to find your way down and a tussle with the scrubland trees. Today could have been the same but we were able to follow some people who knew the way well
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Its a lovely hill and gives great views over South Hams. Its a good hill for the winter for me when time is short and the main moor can be a bit boggy
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