South Hessary Tor and Nun’s Cross

/ 31/03/2024

Easter Sunday and we were out again, keen to make up for a sluggish start to walking in 2024, with 2 walks in 2 days. This was was a bit more leisurely than the previous days efforts, when we headed up to Hare Tor. This would be walk number 50 in my attempt to bag all of the Dartmoor 365 squares, picking up O8, P8 and P9. Here we walked out along the good path to South Hessary Tor and Nun’s Cross, before following the Devonport Leat for a section. We then headed uphill to the trig point near to Cramber Tor and Cramber Pool before returning to South Hessary Tor and then Princetown. Just a short walk this one, and the weather had changed somewhat to grey and overcast. Gone was the warmer sun of the day before, but the cold winds had stayed, meaning hats and gloves were needed. At the end it was nice to see the Plume of Feathers pub open again, after closing for most of last year, we didn’t head in this time but will almost certainly on our next visit to Princetown.

Start – Princetown parking

Route – South Hessary Tor – Siwards Cross – Nun’s Cross Farm – Devonport Leat – Devonport Leat Cross – Older Bridge – Cramber Pool – Cramber trig point – South Hessary Tor – Princetown

Distance – 6 miles  Start time – Midday  Time taken – 3hrs  Highest Point – South Hessary Tor 445metres

Weather – Grey and overcast, cold in the wind

© Crown copyright 2024 Ordnance Survey FL 2024 SF
Starting out from the parking spots just outside of Princetown. The whisky distillery seems to be coming along nicely, they say this will be the highest distillery in Britain at around 420metres.
We headed for the path out to Nun’s Cross Farm, with views back to North Hessary Tor and the mast
The granite post which mark the Plymouth water (PWCC) collection area for the water heading to Burrator
On South Hessary Tor, with Leather Tor and Sharpitor on the left at the back
Our track to Nun’s Cross
Out the back of South Hessart Tor is the north moor, looking gloomy and bleak today
Eylesbarrow up to the right as we follow the track, once you pass South Hessary Tor less people will be seen, as they normally do an out and back to South Hessary and head back to a pub in Princetown
A glimpse of Burrator reservoir away in the distance, flanked by Sheeps Tor left and Peek Hill/Sharpitor right
Looking back to South Hessary and a digger!
Nun’s Cross Farm, the path to Eylesbarrow up to the right. Off to the left here is Fox Tor Mire, or Grimpen Mire if you are a fan of The Hounds of the Baskervilles.
Siwards Cross and the farm behind
Heading for the Devonport Leat, I liked the position of the tree, shortly to start gaining leaves as the warmer spring weather arrives.
Under the tree is some tinners workings, fire place in the back corner
This is the point where the Devonport Leat pops out from its tunnel, which started just the other side of Nun’s Cross Farm. About 500 metres away.
The leat as it leaves the tunnel, not bad considering it was built in 1800
Devonport Leat Cross, sits as it suggests by the leat. Peek Hill/Sharpitor in the distance
Across the leat looking to the valley of Newleycombe Lake
Older Bridge, the path crosses the leat here
Sheeps Tor stands highest above Down Tor as we climb up towards Cramber Pool, there isn’t much height difference however in the two tors
Cramber Pool looking a bit sorry for itself
A picture of the pool from a few years ago and considering the amount of rain we’ve had I’d expect it to be higher on this visit as this photo is from the summer
This appears to be the culprit, they are looking to hold back water in an attempt to re-wet some place. Will be interesting to visit again in a few years as the area was rutted with digger tracks and looked a mess.
We didn’t head to Cramber Tor this time, instead we turned for the trig point and the long distance views to Plymouth Sound.
The mast at Princetown was in and out of cloud, luckily for us Linda points the way for us to go.
A wet spot below is the start of the Hart Tor brook, Leeden Tor is back left
Back at South Hessary Tor now and all we have left is the walk along the path to Princetown
Looking back to South Hessary Tor as the clouds starts to drop and get gloomier
The mast has completely gone now
Into Princetown, the Plume of Feathers has reopened now, which is great to see. The Railway Inn to the right is still a B&B, the pub closing many years ago now.
The National Park visitor centre
And the Plume which is opposite, next time we are here we will visit. Its a great area for walking with so many routes from here so we are bound to be back.

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9 thoughts on “South Hessary Tor and Nun’s Cross”

    • Yes it was good to see it back open with the campsite open as well, not sure about the bunkhouse though. I believe the East Dart inn in Postbridge has also opened a bunkhouse and is talking about a camp site as well to help give more places to stay in the central moor

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  5. Much like the previous post and comments, so much to see of. Ans influence on the landscape but still fascinating. I love the leats, a real marvel of engineering of its day, and an interesting feature to follow on a walk.

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