All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home
|
|
Holne GutterHolne Gutter may sound like a slightly strange thing to find on Dartmoor. But there's lots of water on Dartmoor and that means that a gutter is a good way of channelling the water off the moor. A Dartmoor gutter really means leat - or water channel. Technically, gutter is more about domestic water supply whereas leat implies more of an industrial use. Holne gutter delivers water to a couple of farms and to a number of homesteads in the village of Holne. The gutter was arranged in 1685 by Thomas Beard of Holne and was used to feed water into the North Stoke tenement. The gutter used a leat that already ran from Skir Hill to an old tin mine (Seven Stone Hill - which has now disappeared). By 1809 there were complaints by the Holne villagers that the water was being spoilt by tinning activities on Holne Moor. Contamination continued until the mid 19th century when it was decided to relocate the takeoff source of the gutter to the Ringleshuttes stream. Doubtless, there must have been times when the tinners would have diverted the gutter water to help the mine operations to the detriment of the villagers. At present the Holne commoners manage the leat and DNPA assist in bridge maintenance. The West Stoke channel is managed by the farm.Park at the western Venford reservoir car park (SX 685712), and walk up the road in a westerly direction. After 50 yards or so you'll meet up with Hamlyn's Leat. Follow the dry, relict channel in a southerly direction. This will take you around the western side of the reservoir. At the SW side of the reservoir the leat enters into an enclosure. Just head SW up the hillside, cross the Ringleshutes stream, cross over Wheal Emma Leat and work your way up the stream bed. Once the ground begins to level off you easily find the take off of the gutter. Then simply follow the gutter path as the water flows downstream and enjoy the fine views over the reservoir and northern Dartmoor. On the northern tip of Holne Lee there's a water take off down to West Stoke Farm. Carry along the main gutter until you get to where the gutter flows into a tunnel that leads into private property. Retrace your steps until you get back to the West Stoke takeoff and walk down the hill, cross the road and follow the takeoff until it leads into private farmland. Then simply walk down the hill to the reservoir and thence to the car park.This is a straightforward walk and more pleasant than maybe expected. In good weather there are lovely views. Easy to get to, difficult to get lost (even in thick mist you have the gutter path and a main road nearby) and apart from one area of wet ground the walking conditions are pretty benign. Probably best to avoid doing this walk in summer when the bracken is high. Allow 3+ hrs at an average pace. No military areas nearby.
|
|
All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home |