Stroll around Belstone on a summers day and it's a perfect edge-of-the-moor village. Thatched cottages hewn from the local granite are sprinkled round the village green, where you can also find a set of stocks and a small enclosure where lost animals use to be kept until their owners were found. Just off the green … Continue reading Belstone Tor and Irishman’s Wall
Outdoor Life
Cox Tor
Weather-wise, the last couple of weekends have been pretty horrible. In theory I'm happy to go for a walk or bike ride in any weather, but with a long list of little jobs to do at home I have been known to spend a weekend 'getting a few things done' rather than going out and … Continue reading Cox Tor
Dewerstone
Just before lockdown began in March, our eldest son went on his first school residential. He only spent one night away but for him it was a massive adventure. His class went down to the Dewerstone and stayed in the cottage doing all kinds of cool outdoor activities. He loved every minute. Apart from losing … Continue reading Dewerstone
Fingle Bridge and Cranbrook Castle
After yesterday's ridge top views of autumnal Dartmoor valleys, I wanted to spend more time in the woods. We're at the tail end of the vibrant spectacle of autumn now, and it won't be long before the reds, yellows and everything in between are gone for another year. So with my wife at work, I … Continue reading Fingle Bridge and Cranbrook Castle
Honeybag Tor
I always have mixed feelings about the clocks going back. I love the hope and optimism that spring seems to bring, summer is for camping and being outdoors, and I love the residual warmth and colours of early autumn. The clocks going back represents the end of most of those things and a desire to … Continue reading Honeybag Tor
Hartland Tor
Rainbow over Hartland Tor Hartland Tor is one that has a distinct appeal for those lucky few of us who work with young people on the moor. For most, it's a fairly insignificant place; a small pile of rocks in a smallish font on the map, not quite on a bridlepath and only a couple … Continue reading Hartland Tor
Tormentil
Potentilla erecta (less commonly P. tormentilla) This rather dainty and ubiquitous flower is tormentil. You’ll find it creeping all over the moor, from the tops of tors and open moor to riversides and woodland. It looks like a tiny buttercup, but look more closely: it’s actually a member of the rose Rosaceae family, and one … Continue reading Tormentil
Black Tor
I feel quite lucky that I grew up walking on Dartmoor from quite an early age. I took part in Ten Tors, I camp there regularly, I’m into walking and ancient remains and good beer. If you’re a holidaymaker, a kayaker or teetotal, then you’ll have a different experience to me and so Dartmoor will … Continue reading Black Tor
Gilfach Camping, Llangorse, Brecon Beacons
This blog is mostly about Dartmoor and the wider south west, but we travel about a bit and occasionally find the odd place worthy of a mention. This campsite is one of those awesome places I couldn’t leave without writing home about. The campsite is at the Llangorse Multi Activity Centre, located just east of … Continue reading Gilfach Camping, Llangorse, Brecon Beacons
Rippon Tor
A combination of summer camping trips and post-holiday quarantining meant that we had an unexpected hiatus from Dartmoor. Last weekend we finally made it back, for the short walk up Rippon Tor. Rippon Tor seen from the path near Hemsworthy Gate. Rippon Tor is just a kilometre or so up the road from Haytor but, … Continue reading Rippon Tor