Ducks' Pool

Ducks' Pool is famous for its letterbox. It was constructed in 1938 as a memorial to the Dartmoor author - William Crossing. Ducks' Pool is well in the centre of the Southern Moor and requires a little walking to get to it. This walk is probably one of the more accessible. As well as the letterbox, there are many remains of mining in this area. The impressive spoil tips in the Erme valley mark an area that has seen much tin mining in the past.  The upper Erme valley is a particularly beautiful and isolated part of Dartmoor.

The walk starts from the car park (SX 579673) past the hamlet of Sheepstor. Take the cycle path to Eylesbarrow Tin Mine and then turn off to the right to Plym Ford. Follow the Plym stream up to its head on the southern side. On the plateau the ground gets very wet, although it isn't boggy. Then take a compass bearing to take you down to Ducks' Pool. It is a short walk from here to Blacklane Brook. Follow the Erme stream up to its source, and head for Broad rock. The Abbot's way skirts around Great Gnats' Head and takes you back to Plym Ford.

This walk is about 8 miles. Allow about 4 hours. Although you start off on good footpaths, once you are past Plym Ford then you enter into the wilderness of the Southern Moor. The ground can be quite wet - especially around Plym Head. Be careful of mist, in this area it can come down quickly. A map and compass must be taken. No military ranges in this area.

	The car park (SX 579673) near Sheepstor. Within the conifer wood is a scout hut complex, whereas the path up the hill leads to Eylesbarrow.
	The view looking back towards the car park. On the left lies Ringmoor Down with Gutter Tor on the left.
	Looking back along the path at SX 592678 where it forks on the left down to Ditsworthy Warren and Drizzlecombe, and on the right back to Sheepstor.
	An old mine shaft at Eylesbarrow tin mine.
	Old remains at Eylesbarrow.
	The path leading on towards Plym Ford
	The remains of some old tin workings near Wheal Katherine at SX 607683. The path leads back towards Eylesbarrow.
	Plym Ford (SX 611684).
	The upper reaches of the Plym near Plym Head.
	The wet flat plateau of Plym Head looking northwards towards Crane Hill.
	Heading down towards Ducks' Pool from Plym Head.
	The depression of Ducks' Pool. The rocks around the letterbox can be seen in the midground.
	Rollo trying to stifle a yawn at Ducks' Pool letterbox.
	The ridge between Ducks' Pool and the Blacklane Brook.
	A northerly view up Blacklane Brook with the rocks around Philpott's Cave on the left - SX 628673.
	The remains of an old blowing house halfway down the Blacklane Brook. On the horizon lies the bulk of Langcombe Hill.
	The Erme valley.
	Tin mining spoil at the entrance to Blacklane Brook.
	Looking down the Erme valley from the entrance to Blacklane Brook (SX 627668)
	The grassy spoil tips of Erme Pits at SX 622669. These are the substantial remains of an old tin mine. On the horizon appears the Red Lake pyramid.
	Broad Rock with a view down the Erme valley. Broad Rock is an old boundary stone between Cornwood and Dartmoor Forest. It has "BB Broad Rock" written on its surface.
	Heading back up the Abbot's way (SX 614675) towards Plym Ford.
	The mist is getting nearer.
	Misting up at Eylesbarrow Old Mine (SX 598681).