Hew Down

Hew Down lies on the NE side of North Dartmoor. It is not difficult to get to but it is a splendidly isolated area with good views and atmosphere. In 1240 a number of knights rode around Dartmoor in order to define the extent of the moorland more precisely. The stream that tumbles down the side of the steep hill was used to define part of the eastern boundary edge.

Park near Scorhill Farm (SX 661877) and walk over the hill to the Scorhill circle. Make for the Teign river and cross a clapper bridge over the Walla brook. Then head due west using Watern Tor as a bearing. This is straightforward ground but just under where Watern Hill begins to arise from the plain there is some wet ground. About 100m north of Will May's house there is a dry part. Then head up the slopes to Watern Tor. After admiring the splendid views head south to the cairn near to the newtake wall. Descend down Hew Down and make for Manga Rock. It is now easy to make for the rails across the Teign river at SX 640860. Continue along the newtake to Stonetor Hill and then head off northwards towards Scorhill clapper bridge and thence to the car park.  

This is a good walk with a good climb up to Watern. There are splendid views from the Watern ridge and it is an excellent way to approach Hangingstone Hill or Whitehorse. Gidleigh Common can be surprisingly wet or boggy around the Teign and Walla.

Watern Tor lies on the edge of the military range.

	The eastwards view from Scorhill Down at SX 658877.
	Scorhill stone circle with the encircling backdrop of High Dartmoor behind. On the left horizon lie the rocks of Watern Tor and an isolated cairn.
	The leat near to the circle
	One of the clapper bridges over the Teign near to Teign e ver.
	Looking back at Scorhill from part of the Wall brook plain at SX 646870.
	An old peat cutter's shelter - Will May's house.
	The easterly view over part of Gidleigh Common from SX 638868
	Another view over Gidleigh Common from the side of Watern Hill.
	Some of the strange shaped stacks of Watern Tor.
	Watern Tor.
	Watern Tor with Cosdon Hill on the right horizon and Wild Tor  and Hound Tor on the left.
	The Thurlstone of Watern Tor
	The bizarre shape of part of Watern Tor.
	Looking back at Watern Tor as we head southwards towards the cairn.
	The view over Manga Hill and part of Fernworthy Forest.
	The cairn at SX 629861.
	A view over Gidleigh Common from the top of Hew Down at SX 631861.
	Manga Rock. This is an old boundary stone. It has GP (Gidleigh parish) incised on it. Gidleigh Common with the Teign river is in the background.
	The rails over the Teign at Hew Lake Foot (SX 640860). An old name for this spot was Wotesbrokelakesfote.
	Hew Down from SX 644859.
	A north view over Gidleigh Common from Stonetor Hill.
	The Teign at Scorhill.
	Another clapper bridge at Scorhill.