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Gidleigh Common

Gidleigh Common sounds as though it might be some kind of bucolic green, grassy field that serves the village of Gidleigh. Well green it is, and grassy it is but Gidleigh Common is also very wet. It is a flat poorly drained plain within which the North Teign and some smaller streams run. Lots of cattle use it. Not quite the place to take a casual evening stroll, but certainly a place to visit.
Park (SX 661877) near Scorhill Farm and walk over the hill to the Scorhill circle. Head north on the path between Buttern hill and Rival Tor. Cross a small brook and then west to Rival Tor. Admire the view. Then head SW straight for Watern Tor. You'll cross the Gallaven Brook and then Walla Brook. Climb up the slopes of Watern Tor taking care of the overgrown clitter. Admire the views and then head east down the slopes. We walked over to follow the newtake wall. At the bottom navigate north to Will May's House, then carry on about 100 yards north and then turn directly east towards Scorhill. There is some wet ground to pass. 
A 4.5 mile walk with a short but steep climb. Ground is fairly good although there's lots of boggy ground around. The worst part is the clitter of Watern Tor. It's too small to be really obvious but it's large enough to twist ankles. No army firing ranges.
 
Scorhill stone circle. Watern Tor and Wild Tor are on the skyline.
The track at SX 649883. In the distance on the horizon is Kes Tor.
The view over Gidleigh Common from Rival Tor.
A closer look at Rival Tor (SX 642881).
Rival Tor (SX 642881) with Fernworthy Forest on the horizon and Gidleigh Common between.
Heading on down the slopes of Rival Tor down to Galleven Brook. Watern Tor is on the horizon.
Galleven Brook at SX 640879. The photo is taken just below where the takeoff of the Gidleigh leat starts. The leat runs in the midle of the picture while the brook is on the left and hardly visible. This leat is still used by Gidleigh houses and farms and was also used to supply water to the Creaber pound.
Looking eastwards towards Scorhill from near Walla Brook at SX 635875.
Looking down the Walla Brook valley from SX 634876. In the foreground is the remains of a an unusually shaped tinner's hut. Unusual in that it is squarer than most tinner's huts are.
The Walla Brook with the slopes of Wild Tor on the background.
Watern Tor.
Another of the granite piles of Watern Tor.
Some of the stones in the newtake wall.
Following the newtake wall on the eastern side of Watern Tor. La large part of Gidleigh common lies in front of us.
The 200 year ruins of the peat cutter's shelter that is Will May's House - SX 639868.
The well preserved fireplace inside Will May's House.
Another view of Will May's House.
Looking towards Scorhill from SX 644870.
Near Teign a Ver.
A small bridge over the Gidleigh leat. This leat is still used to supply water to many of the farms and houses on the way down to the Gidleigh settlement. It is important that this leat isn't contaminated or interfered with.
Scorhill Tor (SX 658872) with Kes Tor on the skyline.
 


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