So our first walk of 2026 and we headed, as we normally do, to Dartmoor. We only wanted a short walk, nothing too challenging, but away from the crowds that may well still be out in the holiday period. The area around Arch Tor is normally very quiet, most will head into Bellever Forest when starting out around this area. As a result, Arch Tor, must be one of the least frequented of the named tors on an OS map, especially considering it is visible from the main B3212 and a short stroll away. We looked to park by the Higher Cherrybrook Bridge, but those spots were taken, instead we carried on towards Postbridge, to a handy layby located up the hill from the bridge. We booted up a walked 50 metres along the road to a gate on to the moor proper, crossing boggy land on a well made path had us at the short pull up to the tor. We probably made the tor in 20 minutes from the car. After a few photos in the cold wind we headed off towards Powdermills. I’ll admit I have never properly looked around this area, and today I was putting that right. We had lunch in the sunshine looking beyond one of the chimney stacks and with a view along the Cherrybrook valley, but we didn’t stay long as the wind was cold. We walked out along the path, passing the Powdermills cottages, bunkhouse, pottery shop and Dartcom weather station. Joining the B3212 we turned left and headed for the Higher Cherrybrook Bridge, crossing that and reaching the car with views towards Assycombe Hill and the passing hail and snow showers. A few hours later Dartmoor was covered in snow, but for us we got out before seeing any of it. A fantastic little walk to start the year, and one that could easily be extended into Bellever Forest or along the Lych Way to Longaford Tor
Sunny blue skies above as I look from the layby, where we parked, to Assycombe Hill and Fernworthy Forest. Bellever Forest is on my right here and the hill holding Arch Tor is on the leftThe dark blob of Longaford Tor and Higher White Tor to the right of thatWe were nearly at Arch Tor when I turned to take a photo back into the sunArch Tor with Fernworthy Forest on the left and Hameldown the flat topped hill on the rightA couple of rock basins forming on Arch Tor as I look in the direction of Powdermills (trees to the right of centre)Powdermills, or one of the incorporating mills. The whole place was established in 1844 to provide gunpowder for the navy, likely at Devonport Dockyard and the quarries taking granite from Dartmoor. The incorporating mill was were water was added to the green charge. Water came along leats from the Cherrybrook and the East Dart River. The walls on the building are very thick and it had a canvas roof, any accidental explosions would take the roof off first and direct the blast up and away from peopleHow they made itInside the incorporating mill, there were two rooms like this and between them the water wheel in a trenchThe chimney for the drying house, which was just below it. Here the gunpowder was dried before packing.The Lych Way runs through the siteCharge magazine building 4 is near the drying mill and chimney. We sat here for lunch. Back in 1850s it would have been a store for the gunpowder (Green Charge) before being worked in the incorporating mill number 4We walked out along the path, passing the Press House, Corning House, Pressing House and Preparation Rooms. All used in the gunpowder process. The chimney opposite is part of the Stoving House, possibly for making charcoal although it is contested what the reason for this building was.Looking back along the CherrybrookFrom the Stoving House to Powdermills CottagesLooking back from the outbound track to Bellever Forest and where our car is parkedThe cafe here has a board marking all the different ways to say WelcomeLooking back to PowdermillsAnd towards our carLinda starting out along the B3212, looks cold, and it was coldThe Higher Cherrybrook Bridge and the story of the Hairy Hands comes from this area, were on dark foggy nights, mysterious hands steer cars from the road. It might just be the adverse camber on the road crossing the bridge, but let’s not get in the way of a good storyHigher Cherrybrook Bridge. Bellever Forest behind and plenty of pine plantation trees have been felled hereAlmost at the car and the hail and snow sweeps through in the distance. A few hours later the area was turning white. We would be back out on Dartmoor two days later, did the snow hang around and last for us? Next time!!
Interesting to read about the gunpowder manufacturing process. I was reading about while looking around one of the castles in Malta and how it had be (obviously) very carefully looked after.
treksandtors 
Interesting to read about the gunpowder manufacturing process. I was reading about while looking around one of the castles in Malta and how it had be (obviously) very carefully looked after.
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