Another day out on the edge of the moor, the north eastern corner of the moor to be precise. I’ve done lots of this walk previously (here), that time I headed straight from Christow up towards Kiln Down and then up towards Bridford. This time I added a section further south to pickup my last two Dartmoor 365 squares in this area. I wasn’t 100% sure of the path south of Canonteign House and falls, but it does head into the woods and there is a gate on the right, through that heading uphill you reach the main track/footpath which runs through the woodland to Shuttamoor. On this walk I must have disturbed 4 or 5 herds of deer in woodlands and as the weather starts to warm I saw plenty of butterflies here as well. There are some tors on this walk as well, spread out admittedly but the Kiln Down one is pretty good, although Rowden Rock was pretty covered in greenery, wrong time of year for this one. By the end of the walk the blue skies were out and it was getting warm, and a pint in The Artichoke is always a good place to finish a walk in this area.
Starting out in Christow, this sign is opposite the car park and fields in the villageThe church in ChristowStarting out along the lanes, there is a bit of grey cloud above but there are breaks which bodes wellLooking down to the Teign Valley golf course and a lovely view north eastA Green Carpet mothThrough the lanes and woods there was still a strong smell of wild garlic
The first of the Dartmoor 365 squares, Wheal Exmouth
Now a house, but both chimneys are still up including the octagonal one on the right
Shortly followed by Dartmoor 365 square number 2 in Canonteign Falls
You can see part of the falls from the road, centre ish of the photo
In the woodlands bluebells were out, think I’d disturbed at least 2 lots of deer in this sectionHeading for ShuttamoorNearing Shuttamoor and downhill through some bluebellsWhilst I was in the trees the skies have gone a bit more blue, which is niceStopped here for a brew with a nice view to Black Hill and HaytorI only touched the edge of Tottiford reservoir but it was niceHeading towards Moor Barton now and some hissing geese, who were protecting their brood. The gorse was smelling fantastic through hereCommon Blue butterflyAnd a Peacock looking very resplendent Kiln Down next for me having come from Moor BartonKiln Down Tor and another batch of deer scattered as I entered the copse which holds the outcrops, there are 3 or 4 big piles of rocks in here, not a bad tor at all this one.After having to head away from the path off Kiln Down due to young cows taking far too much interest in me for my liking, I joined the lane towards Hole before turning off towards Rowden Rock. Bridford is just out of shot to the left here as I look east.Covered in greenery is Rowden Rock, this one is officially out of bounds but there is a great path here from a gate and its easy to get hereHere is the pathChurch is Bridford, I’d passed the pub deciding that the one in Christow would be a better option, the sun was cracking the flags now and warming up nicelyI stayed this side of the gateLovely vistas east as I head along the road towards Copplestone RockSpeckled Wood, always very common in these partsCopplestone Rock, right by the roadArguably one of the prettiest house in Devon, well in my books anyway, Copplestone CottageA lovely pathway of bluebells and views across the Teign Valley
The chimney at the Birch Aller Mine
And the plaque on the chimney. The mine only lasted 5 years here, its seems that all along the Teign Valley they searched for lead and silver looking to pick up that huge lode to make a fortune, this one wasn’t a successRookery Brook TorAnd finally back into Christow and a well earned cider in The Artichoke, fab end to a fab walk around a neglected corner of Dartmoor
I normally head into Holwell Lawn for the proper amazing display but I wasn’t quite on it this year, this walk however was a lovely surprise of purple colour
Lovely photos of the bluebells and the trespassing sign is funny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some lovely bluebells here. I seemed to have missed the best of them round my way this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I normally head into Holwell Lawn for the proper amazing display but I wasn’t quite on it this year, this walk however was a lovely surprise of purple colour
LikeLike
Holwell Lawn! We were lucky enough to see it in full bloom a couple of years ago. Still, easily the most incredible display I’ve ever seen
LikeLiked by 1 person