Christmas Cadover Bridge to Shaugh Bridge walk

/ 28/12/2024

This year we were pretty active between Christmas and New Year, heading out for a walk on 3 days, one day in work, one day a party and one day lying around lazing (New Year’s Eve). This was the second walk of the three and the boys joined us for one of my favourite walks, whatever the weather. The conditions were low cloud, mist and clag, obliterating views in all directions but no rain at least. Its a short walk of 4 miles, but packs in plenty of interest, with two bridges, a cross, huge tors, woodlands, two rivers, clay settling tanks, a quarry and some lovely open moorland which gives some fine views, normally! We parked at the Cadover Bridge car park, booted up and headed into North Woods to follow the clay pipe path to Shaugh Bridge, you can branch off this path to pick off Shaugh Beacon, but today, with the cloud down, the views weren’t worth the detour. Before long we reached Shaugh Bridge, were we sat for a coffee at the confluence of the Meavy and Plym rivers. Next we headed steeply uphill to the top of the Dewerstone, a massive rising pile of granite which sticks out the top of the trees, culminating in a further pile called locally, Devil’s Rocks or Carrington Rock. Next we headed straight out across Wigford Down, passing Cadworthy Tor (Oxen Tor) before reaching Cadover Bridge and the car. We missed out the top of Wigford Down with the views, normally so good to Sheeps Tor, not being present. So another nice little Christmas walk and enough to warrant an extra mince pie 😋

Start – Cadover Bridge

Route – North Wood – West Down – West Down Rocks – Shaugh Bridge – Dewerstone – Cadworthy Tor – Wigford Down – Cadover Cross – Cadover Bridge

Distance – 4 miles  Start time – 11.45am  Time taken – 2hrs 40mins Highest Point – Wigford Down 250 metres

Weather – Low cloud and mist

© Crown copyright 2024 Ordnance Survey FL 2024 SF
Just entering North Wood and I look back out, along the river Plym towards the car park and Cadover Bridge
Off into North Wood
Linda following the clay pipe path
Misty trees, mossy rocks
After North Wood you head on to West Down, more woodland here but you can head up from this sign to reach Shaugh Beacon
Or look right to see the Dewerstone across the valley
West Down Rocks are also beside the path
As are these tanks, used for the clay works
Misty views towards Bickleigh
Down at Shaugh Bridge car park, the clay settling tanks on the right
The River Plym passes beneath a wooden bridge
Shaugh Bridge, the pillars are 17th century but the bridge arches were washed away in 1824 in a huge thaw, it was rebuilt in 1825 and has stood since. We sat here for a coffee with the River Meavy on our right here and the Plym to the left, beyond the confluence it is the River Plym down to Plymouth.
Boys
Heading up the steep cart path, which would have been used to bring the quarry stone down to the bridge and on to the road/railway
Linda clearly fitter than myself. We normally would hang a left and head around towards another cart path, but instead today the boys decided the more direct approach of the top rocks was needed.
The Dewerstone Rocks, or at least part of it, lots of climbing routes on those rocks, not for the feint hearted
Dewerstone Tor, Devil’s Rocks, Carrington Rocks. Whatever you wish to use, this is the top and worthy of a sit and a sandwich. Views are normally superb from here, just not today
The Plym Valley to the right, that’s North Wood on the other side
Mist rising along the valley
Cadworthy Tor looking back to the Dewerstone
Ponies
Looking through the mist towards Cadover Bridge
Cadover Cross, one of the many across the moor used by the abbots heading between the churches, this one marked the route from Tavistock to Plympton Priory. In the trees to the left is the Counting House, where the clay workers would be paid.
Finally Cadover Bridge, come back here in 6 months and you will see young brave folk jumping from the bridge into the Plym! Hope you’ve all had a lovely festive time this year as we run head first into 2025!

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13 thoughts on “Christmas Cadover Bridge to Shaugh Bridge walk”

  1. We always used to like to get out for a walk in those in between days. Not so different now, except that we’re generally walking in bright sunshine. I can see that this would be spectacular with blue skies.

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    • Its my favourite walk on the moors, I can change it with 3 or 4 variations. It was nice to do the direct route up to the rocks, although it did leave me out of breath a little (Christmas excess!)

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