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Black Rock Walk looking to Widgery Cross

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:07:01 GMT

This is a circular route from High Down along the River Lyd to the Black Rock Memorial with views to Widgery Cross

No matter the time of year or the weather we encounter, this meandering circular route down to the River Lyd, looking east towards Great Nodden, Arms Tor and Brat Tor, topped with Widgery Cross, is always full of wonderful sights and the enchanting sounds of nature. There are many paths to the surrounding Tors if you'd like to be up high, or down to the valley and river, which can be crossed in several places, whether across the footbridge, stepping stones, or narrow bands of river where you can carefully pick your way across the stony shallows.

Making our way to the Black Rock Memorial above the river and pausing to read these moving lines, written by Captain Nigel Duncan Ratcliffe Hunter . There is an oak bench below the plaque where you can take in the beautiful views that inspired such insightful and thought provoking words.

We captured this shot of Black Rock Memorial with the buzzard perched on the rocks above one November morning. Glancing down to Black Pool, one of our favourite pools for a quick dip at any time of year.

Another of the captivating aspects of this walk, along with so many other walks on Dartmoor, is the opportunity to encounter some of the rich and varied history of this remarkable landscape. Walking up the river on both sides of the valley are numerous remains from the Wheal Mary Emma Tin Mine , which you might be interested to explore yourself as you wander along.

Heading back to High Down on a February visit the skies cleared and we were even able to spot the highest peaks on Bodmin Moor, with Bren Tor also visible. Capturing the cycle of nature in all its intricacy and beauty - Turkey Tail fungus, Pixie Cups and Star Moss make a home on this ageing hazel stump.

If you'd like to explore more activities and experiences whilst staying in one of our Higher Kellacott Holiday Cottages, click here

A Walk In Burley Down Woods

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 15:46:16 GMT

Meandering through Burley Down Woods with our black Labrador Misty

We recently discovered this lovely peace of woodland, just a 15 minute drive away from Higher Kellacott, and found it to be a wonderful place to enjoy a mindful walk amongst nature. There are loads of paths to choose from, which take you through various sections of coniferous forest with smaller pockets of deciduous trees. There is a peaceful atmosphere and we were particularly struck by the green carpet of undergrowth, which seems so unusual for coniferous woodland, as you can see from the images and video clip below.

The presence of so many mosses and lichens, both on the trees and ground, indicate that it is likely to be an example of Temperate Rainforest. Devon and Cornwall are one of the few areas of the UK that are known to have temperate rainforest, with several examples nearby on Dartmoor. It really is a pleasure to see the beauty of these mosses, which seem to thrive whether on the ground or when jostling for room amongst the ivy clad trees.

Although there's just a small parking area off the roadside, there's plenty of room for walkers to leave their vehicles. We'll definitely be back soon to discover more paths to explore whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of this wonderful piece of woodland.

Lydford is just a few miles away, with the Castle Inn a very popular pub offering good food and a warm fire for wintery days.

If you'd like to explore more activities and experiences whilst staying in one of our Higher Kellacott Holiday Cottages, click here

Morning nature walk at Meldon Reservoir

183:797050067 (Georgina Tomkins) — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 17:02:27 GMT

It may be a murky morning in February, but there is lots to enjoy and discover along the way...

Walking from Meldon Quarry car park, we crossed the West Okement River footbridge and took a woodland walk up the wooded valley towards the Meldon Reservoir car park, passing a favourite cathedral like line of beech trees and finding a wonderful collection of mosses and lichens, in large carpets on the ground and on the barks and branches of trees and shrubs. Although we haven't identified them all yet, we have samples of the beautifully names Swan's Neck Thyme Moss and Rough Stalked Feather Moss.

Emerging from the path at the head of Meldon Reservoir, we crossed the dam wall before heading back down the valley to the quarry car park.

This image captures the water thundering down dam wall with misty hills behind makes a dramatic backdrop to this hawthorn branch, laden with mosses and lichens.

Wandering down the path to the quarry, with the Meldon Viaduct in the distance, the ever flowering gorse with its tiny yellow buds. On a sunny day the air will be filled with a wonderfully heady coconut scent.

Before heading back to the car for home, we couldn't resist taking a slight detour to check out one of our favourite wild swimming spots; this wonderful pool, which is the Red-a-Venn River. We'll be taking a dip on a sunny day soon!

Heading back to the car we captured this wonderful selection of mosses and lichens on a small granite outcrop.

If you'd like to explore more activities and experiences whilst staying in one of our Higher Kellacott Holiday Cottages, click here