Into October now and the weather turns a bit, September, and to be fair the rest of October was very good weatherwise. As a result we got out for some very good walks in some decent weather. This weekend, in early October, turned to be a bit drab, with plenty of rain. We managed to fashion a walk in out out of woodland, to do our best to avoid the worst of the wet stuff. This walk is solely one for the Dartmoor 365 squares, but arguably is the best of this type of walk, due to the history on offer. This was walk number 61 on my Round 2, and passes through squares O2, O3, P2 and P3. We started off in the village of Horrabridge, a square in itself as we headed off towards the Dartmoor Way and the cycle path which would take us towards the outskirts of Tavistock. We would cross two lovely bridges, of completely different age and style, before heading through a tunnel built by Brunel. Then up through a lovely village to the marginals of the moorland. Here we passed through fields, around fields and lanes and on to Plaster Down and the Grimstone and Sortridge leat, a rough sounding waterway, but infact one that passes through the gentle lands on its way to tiny hamlets. All that is left here is to descend down the tracks to Horrabridge and the car via the pub. A superb walk of constant interest, perfect for a poor weather day.
Starting off in Horrabridge and passing the Anglican church firstReaching the A386, which we would walk along uphill to the cycle path, we first hit this tiny house/art studio. This reminded me of the Bridge House in AmblesideNormally views to Cox Tor and the Staple Tors. But not today with the low cloud.Horrabridge signThe start of the cycle path and enough signs to confuse the most clued up localMagpie Bridge the old railway bridge from the 1850’sThe view from the bridgeAlong the old railway line/cycle pathThe 2012 Gem Bridge, running high above the River WalkhamOut along the canopy from Gem BridgeNot long after Gem Bridge we reached Grenofen TunnelInside the tunnelLinda at the end of the tunnel, it had started raining whilst we walked throughHeading into Whitchurch now, the rain was getting heavierWhitchurch Inn and behind it churchWhitchurch Church, St Andrew’sInside St Andrew’s. We stopped to eat lunch in the porch out of the heavy rain, we missed at least 30 minutes of an hour or more of rain luckily.
Vicars back to the 1300’s
Heading up to Plaster Down you pass through some lovely lanes and passagesPlaster Down, cloud still down in the distanceThe bracken is dying off thankfully as we walk across the DownThe Grimstone and Sortridge leat. Pew Tor would be in the distance but its head has been cut off by cloudWe would follow the leat towards the trees on the rightWar memorial on Plaster DownAs we entered the trees and lanes back to Horrabridge we can see that the weather has started to clear a bitInto Horrabridge now and the Leaping Salmon pub on the left and the River Walkham The weir on the Walkham in HorrabridgeThe sign for Horrabridge, we would take refreshments in the London Inn up there on the leftRefreshments and as you can see even in early October they had the Halloween items out! A good walk this one and plenty of interest to keep things going.
15 thoughts on “Magpie Bridge, Grenofen Tunnel and Plaster Down”
I really enjoyed this one, despite the weather. Partly because I have a friend who lives in Tavistock and I could picture her walking here. I’d like some sunshine though- I’m greedy!
I would’ve enjoyed the walk, too, as Devon holds much sentimentality for us. Your blog is going to be a future place to refer to for walks if I get the chance to return
A well earned refreshment! I wish more disused railways would be converted to cycle paths, they always make fab routes. Interestingly, we have a Whitchurch up here too!
This one was built with some EU money a while ago, with the idea of creating a cycle route from France, through Plymouth and on to the North Devon coast
Yes it is complete, the England section goes from the North coast of Devon to the south coast at Plymouth along Route 27 (80odd miles) then heads over on the Plymouth/Roscoff ferry and joins the Velodyssey along the west coast of France to the Spanish Border
That dreary grey weather seemed to last for eternity through October and November. Dartmoor looks to be the perfect place for walks on days like that with lots of interest when a day on the fells or moors would become a bit of a grind
There’s some very good spots around the edge of the moor, with some lovely villages, lanes and bits to see. Will be looking for another of these tomorrow
treksandtors 
I really enjoyed this one, despite the weather. Partly because I have a friend who lives in Tavistock and I could picture her walking here. I’d like some sunshine though- I’m greedy!
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Despite the rain this looks great and really enjoyable to read. Dartmoor places have such great names, it’s all very pagan sounding!
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My favourite name is Cowflop Bottom 😂
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I would’ve enjoyed the walk, too, as Devon holds much sentimentality for us. Your blog is going to be a future place to refer to for walks if I get the chance to return
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A well earned refreshment! I wish more disused railways would be converted to cycle paths, they always make fab routes. Interestingly, we have a Whitchurch up here too!
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This one was built with some EU money a while ago, with the idea of creating a cycle route from France, through Plymouth and on to the North Devon coast
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That would be an incredible ride! I presume it was never completed?
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Yes it is complete, the England section goes from the North coast of Devon to the south coast at Plymouth along Route 27 (80odd miles) then heads over on the Plymouth/Roscoff ferry and joins the Velodyssey along the west coast of France to the Spanish Border
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Oh wow I bet that’s a great ride! 👌
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The tunnel looks scary. Nice walk shame about the grey sky.
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Its unnerving when bikes are hurtling towards you as you can’t see them apart from their lights
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I can imagine.
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That dreary grey weather seemed to last for eternity through October and November. Dartmoor looks to be the perfect place for walks on days like that with lots of interest when a day on the fells or moors would become a bit of a grind
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There’s some very good spots around the edge of the moor, with some lovely villages, lanes and bits to see. Will be looking for another of these tomorrow
LikeLiked by 1 person