Late October, and when the weather is as good as this, it would have been a serious error not to head out and walk on Dartmoor. This despite us being in the middle of packing ready to move house a few days after this (the results of the packing can be seen on the previous walk around Fingle Bridge), sometimes you just need to outdoors to help give you a bit more energy, knowing that it could be a few weeks before your next walk. With all the packing however, it meant we didn’t want to travel too far, so the south west corner of the moor is perfect for a quick drive. Cornwood village would be our starting spot, heading up to Stalldown Barrow, along the lanes. This would be walk 63 of a packed Dartmoor 365 bagging outing on Round 2, and ticking off squares U10, U11, V9, V10, V11, W9 and W10. Our route back would be along more of those lanes, so I decided to try and pick up a path that headed roughly towards Cornwood. It started well (you know what’s coming next when someone starts a sentence with that!), however we should have taken a path running downhill, but we weren’t sure it was permissive, as it looked like a driveway and looking at it now I’m still not sure. So it meant a slightly longer detour back to Cornwood, via Moor Cross. Still even this didn’t detract from the stunning weather and some lovely colours on the trees, which always look better with some sunshine shining through the autumnal leaves.
Starting out, we’d parked by the school and being a Sunday there was plenty of space. Blue skies overhead promised some stunning viewsCornwoodLooking towards Stalldown Barrow, looking lovely in the sunshineWisdome Bridge and the River Yealm passing under that. A Dartmoor 365 square alongside Cornwood itself. In fact there would be 7 in total on this walk.Wisdome Bridge aka Vicarage Bridge, as per the sign. The name of this bridge is likely to come from Glebe House, the 18th century house which was once a vicarage. The bridge was also know as Parsonage Bridge before that.Some stunning countryside here, if you are one who like fields criss-crossing each other and leading onto moorland, then this is a great area for you.Views up to Lee Moor across some of those fieldsThe greens of teh fields set off by the azure blue aboveLooking back along the road to New Waste. There used to be parking here, then someone (possibly the water board put a gate up to stop cars. Its a couple of miles walk from Cornwood to here.Looking out from New WasteReaching Stalldown Barrow, which heads up to the right here, we look across to Penn Beacon and Lee MoorAnd the other way is the English ChannelIt was a tough climb up to Stalldown Barrow for some reason, lack of hill fitness probably. This is the start of Stalldon Stone Row. One of the best of the stone rows of the moor, due to the size and amount of the upright stones.Looking back down the rowThe taller stones are at the higher end, this is one of the final ones, with views into the moor. The River Erme is wriggling through the centre of the photo.Not far from the stone row is Hillson’s House. Three Barrows on the left at the backInto the moor from Hillson’s HouseLinda shielding her eyes from the sun, we are heading that way next, the sea in the distanceBurford Down is ahead, we head that way towards Tristis Rock, the River Erme is down to the leftNearing Burford DownLooks a bit like a Meadow waxcap but the colour seems too orange and pinkBurford Stone Row, or the far end of it by Tristis Rock, looking back at Stalldown BarrowOn Tristis Rock we had our second stop of the walk. Stalldown Barrow up to the left and Three Barrows on the right. The River Erme between them bothLooking out of the moor from Tristis RockThe village of Harford hidden in the trees, Western Beacon up to the leftLovely autumn colours around this corner of the moorHall Farm, our last 365 square todaySeem to remember the Stereophonics did a song Yesterday’s, tomorrow, today.The lanes around Hall Farm had lenty of yellow and orange leaves catching the sunshineI find identifying mushrooms almost impossible, not sure what this one is.Stunning views to Lee Moor as we pickup the lane to Moor Cross, hoping to cut off towards CornwoodTrees, fields, sunshine and blue skiesWe either missed the path we should have took to Cornwood, or we couldn’t go that way because it was someone’s driveway. Either way we ended up adding a mile to our distance and walking to Moor Cross before heading back to Cornwood. this is the pub in the village, however today we needed to head home for further packing.Last photo of Cornwood, the hour had changed on the clocks so it was getting dark at 4pm and would be dark shortly after 5pm. Mental note made to look at walk lengths so not to get caught out.
14 thoughts on “Cornwood, Stalldown Barrow and Tristis Rock”
I really enjoyed that breath of fresh air with you. The lanes and moors look glorious with their golden hues. Good luck with the move- are you moving far away?
Move is all complete, just a bit more unpacking of a few boxes to do. Not moved too far, just to the edge of Plymouth now, so green fields nearer to our door. 😁
Oh for those happy days when you could park at New Waste! Incidentally, back in the 70s Tristis Rock was considered out of bounds by the landowner – not that we took any notice.
Blue skies and gorgeous autumn colours! Looks like you got a well-needed break. Fungi are so hard – there are so many UK species. Spore prints are often needed apparently and that’s a step too far for me!
treksandtors 
I really enjoyed that breath of fresh air with you. The lanes and moors look glorious with their golden hues. Good luck with the move- are you moving far away?
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Move is all complete, just a bit more unpacking of a few boxes to do. Not moved too far, just to the edge of Plymouth now, so green fields nearer to our door. 😁
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Sounds ideal. Happy first Christmas in your new home!
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Definitely the perfect day for a walk. I expect your all packed and moved by now. 🙂
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Definitely moved, but not quite unpacked 😁
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Oh for those happy days when you could park at New Waste! Incidentally, back in the 70s Tristis Rock was considered out of bounds by the landowner – not that we took any notice.
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A spectacular walk by the looks of it! We have been quite lucky this October. I’ve been surprised by how many good days we had for walking 🙂
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Yes October was a stellar month for the weather and made up a little for the poor summer
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Blue skies and gorgeous autumn colours! Looks like you got a well-needed break. Fungi are so hard – there are so many UK species. Spore prints are often needed apparently and that’s a step too far for me!
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That’s some level of nerdiness that I’m not willing to undertake
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You were very lucky with the weather indeed. It looks like a great walk.
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On of the best walks for the weather we’ve had this year
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Stunning day with beautiful autumn colours. Classic Dartmoor scenery as well
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It was some of the best weather that we’ve had all year. Superb day to be out
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