15 May 2007
Red Lake, Rattlebrook, Dewerstone and the Withered Arm
Join Dartmoor National Park Authority Guides for a bank holiday weekend exploring the remains of some of the fascinating railways and tramways that ran across the moor in years gone by.
 | Dartmoor’s unique landscape was once a hive of industrial activity with materials such as granite and clay being transported, sometimes from the very depths of the high moor. The remains of this transport network remain today, a reminder of Dartmoor’s unique cultural heritage and in some cases popular modern recreational routes. Over the weekend of 26 - 28 May, Dartmoor National Park Guides are leading a series of walks exploring some superb examples, set in a stunning moorland landscape. |
To set the scene, an illustrated talk, entitled Railways of the Moor, will be given at 8 pm, on Friday 25 May, at Meavy Village Hall, near Yelverton, by Dartmoor National Park Guide, Len Copley. The walks will take place from Saturday 26 to Monday 28 May and range from 3 to 6 hours in length.
On Saturday 26 May, meet outside the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, at 10 am, for a five hour walk exploring Tyrwhitt's horse-drawn tramway. Visit Foggintor, Ingra Tor and Swell Tor. Also on Saturday 26 May there is an opportunity to join a four hour walk to the Rattlebrook peat railway. Visit the remains of this standard-gauge railway constructed to link Rattlebrook peat works to the main line at Bridestowe station. The walk starts at Lydford High Down (Ordnance Survey grid reference SX 525 853) at 10.30 am.
On Sunday 27 May at 10 am, meet at Okehampton Youth Hostel (Ordnance Survey grid reference SX 592 944) for a six hour walk to visit the Withered Arm. The Withered Arm was the name given to the route of the former Southern Railway, west of Exeter. Part of this line has been transformed into the excellent traffic-free walking and cycling route the Granite Way. This walk will involve taking the bus to the starting point at Lydford. Also on Sunday, a six hour walk explores the Zeal Tor Tramway and Red Lake china clay works, starting at 10.30 am from Shipley Bridge (Ordnance Survey grid reference SX 680 629).
On Bank Holiday Monday a three hour walk departs Shaugh Bridge (Ordnance Survey grid reference SX 533 636) at 10 am to visit the Dewerstone tramway. Learn how proposals to link the Dewerstone granite quarries to the South Devon and Tavistock Railway didn't quite materialize. Also visit the remains of part of the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway, opened in 1823.
The final walk of the week end leaves Haytor Lower Car Park at 2 pm (Ordnance Survey grid reference SX 765 771) to explore Templar's tramway, one of the best known of Dartmoor’s tramways, built to carry granite from quarries in the Haytor area. The walk lasts about three hours.
If you travel to one of Dartmoor National Park Authority’s guided walks by public transport, and show your ticket to the Guide, you can join the walk free of charge. Telephone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 for public transport information or visit www.traveline.org.uk (external link, opens new window). Due to the potential hazard to livestock, no dogs, other than guide dogs, are allowed on Dartmoor National Park Authority guided walks and events.
Dartmoor National Park Authority guided walks and events programme is also available online at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk, click on Visiting.
For Further Information
Claire Partridge Events and Activities Officer
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site. The Agendas are placed on the Authority's web site 7 days in advance of the meetings.
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Notes for Editors
Guided walks costs
Up to 2 hours £3.00
Up to 3 hours £4.50
Up to 4 hours £5.00
Up to 6 hours £6.00
Children 14 & Under £1.50
Children’s activities £2.50
Accompanying adults go free but must accompany children 14 and under.
National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. Over 33,500 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
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This page last updated 15 May 2007
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Page updated 14 May 2007
