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Haytor DownIn the 1850's the Duke of Somerset decided to erect a number of named boundary stones along Heytor Down to emphasise the extent of his holding. He intermingled his well rounded stones with a couple of already established boundary stones and natural rocks. All received his initials "DS" together with the date 1853 or 1854. The names of the stones took a decidely royal approach with "Prince Albert", "Victoria", "Prince of Wales" interspersed with the more obscure names "Wm Stone" and "Old Jack". In 2001 a new stone was erected by the DNPA (Dartmoor National Park Authority) to celebrate 50 years of stewardship. The stone is confusedly entitled "Prince of Wales" presumably because the present Prince of Wales holds so much Dartmoor land.Park off the road just north of Haytor Vale at SX 771778. Don't take the obvious paths but walk about 100 yds north along the road to find more obscure tracks. You can venture SE over the lower part of the Down and this is where you'll find Wm Stone, the new Prince of Wales, Owlacombe and Prince Albert. For the other stones take the NE track. Some of these stones are not so easy to find and you may have to wander around the tracks to find them. Old Jack and Victoria are straightforward to locate, but Owlacombe less so.This is a nice easy stroll over the delightful Heytor Down. The views over the nearby towns of Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot are excellent and it is popular with locals. Lots of heather, a bit of gorse and some well trodden tracks over gentle inclines make this an ideal Sunday afternoon or evening stroll. Walking boots are hardly needed. There's lots of contrast especially as you go over the top of the Down to confront the views of Hound Tor and the inner stretches of eastern Dartmoor. Many walk extensions possible - the Haytor quarries, Becka brook or Hound Tor - you could spend a whole day up here.No army grounds anywhere near.
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