So another trip to Dartmoor but without driving too far, also somewhere I haven’t been around these parts since 2021, so they were due a revisit. Linda hadn’t been to either of these tors, nor the Dartmoor squares involved of Corringdon Ball and Henchertraw, so with the decision made and the weather set fair (and certainly better than our last outing around Whitchurch Down), we headed out. Parking can be busy in South Brent, especially if there is a church service on, but we found a safe spot and started off for Lydia Bridge and the first couple of miles along the lanes. Before long we were handrailing the River Avon, with a healthy amount of water in it, after the recent rains. We turned uphill, climbing a path steeply to Hickley Plain and a stop for coffee, with good views to Brent Hill. We continued to head uphill, crossing the top end of Henchertraw, a narrow wooded ditch which climbs away from the Bala Brook. Next we walked across to Old Hill (feeling a bit over the hill on arrival!!) and found the small tor on its flanks, with some lovely views along the Bala Brook valley greeting us, with South Hams stretching away beyond. We turned and headed for the best named tor on the moor, Wacka Tor, a number of outcrops here, and one shielded us from the wind as we ate our lunch. A simple descent down the front of Wacka Tor had us at Corringdon Ball Gate, a grand looking gate in a wild spot. We next followed the lane after the gate, dropping down to Aish and the lane back to Lydia Bridge and South Brent, popping into the church to have a look around before heading home. A lovely walk, stayed dry throughout and a good length of walk for the shortening days. More of this through the winter please!
Starting out I look along the main railway line, I’m looking in the direction of Totnes and Exeter, behind me a train would come from Plymouth to get hereThe small waterfall as I look down from Lydia BridgeGrand views to Brent Hill, the sun trying to break through across this autumnal landscapeAlong the lanes to Binnamore, this lane also leads on to Avon ReservoirAnd here is the River Avon with some nice dappled sunlight lighting up the treesEdward 7th post box, only 171 of these left in use so nice to see one near to DidworthyWe’d climbed steeply to this point, the views open up nicely for us, giving us views to the Avon valley and up to Eastern Whitebarrow (back left)Coffee stop with views to Brent Hill, we were hiding behind a wall here as there was a keen windThe top end of Henchertraw, the Red Brook flows down through it to the Bala Brook at the bottomOld Hill Tor, only a small outcrop but great views across South Hams from hereLinda enjoys the views from Old Hill TorBack over the Red Brook on the way to Wacka TorOn the climb to Wacka TorOutcrops ahead backed by Ugborough Beacon and Butterdon Hill to the right. The sun is glinting off the sea in the far distanceWacka Tor Looking up to Three BarrowsWe’d sheltered behind one of the bigger rock groups on top of Wacka Tor to eat our sandwiches, now we were descending to Corringdon Ball Gate, with views across to Ugborough Beacon and Butterdon Hill. Corrongdon Ball (the hill) is bottom leftBrent Hill again in viewWe’d walked through the gate and I’d forgotten to take a photo of the long barrow on the other side, so I took this one looking back at the gate with the terrain behind rising to Wacka TorBrent Hill is a popular view on this walkSouth Brent isn’t too far away nowQueen Victoria post box, see lots of theseNot having much luck with taking photos of bridges recently (see my last walk where two bridges were covered by trees). This is Lydia Bridge and the River AvonSt Petroc’s in South Brent, an old Saxon church a 12th century tower and more added in the 14th and 15th centuriesInside the church which was in very good condition. So the end of the walk and a lovely round which was ideal for the time of year. Hopefully more of the same in the coming weeks.
treksandtors 
I tend to forget until I read your posts just how many gorgeous churches you have in Dartmoor. A much drier walk than the last one!
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Pretty much most of the walks we do now will pass a church or two, certainly across the next few months as we stay away from the centre of the moor
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I guess the centre of the moor can be a bit damp in the winter
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Moderately moist to definitely damp
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An enjoyable day out, Steve, and the weather cooperated xx
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It was a relief to see a bit of sunshine and the odd speck of blue sky
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Seem to recall there was an access battle on the Ball around 50 years ago. I know we won. Can you still park at Brent railway station?
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Yes John you can still park at the station and the road outside as well, but it gets very busy there especially when the church services are on
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