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Devonport Leat

Devonport Leat is one of the best examples of Dartmoor leats. It was built in the 1790's to channel water to the booming docks of Devonport in Plymouth, although now it terminates at Burrator reservoir. It is fed by the West Dart, Cowsic and Blackbrook rivers and its head is just north of Wistman's Wood. It has many interesting features - aqueducts, a tunnel and even a waterfall as it descends into the Meavy river at Raddick Hill. Considerable engineering skill was involved in building it. It is a robust leat.
This walk takes in about 5 miles of the leat around Princetown. Park at Princetown and walk along the road towards Two Bridges.  Just before the Blackbrook bridge the leat crosses under the road at SX 594742. Turn off the road and walk alongside the leat as it gently snakes down past Tor Royal, Whiteworks and Nun's Cross. Around Nun's Cross you can leave the leat at any convenient point and head back towards Princetown. Alternatively, you can follow it right down to Burrator if time and transport permits.
This is a straightforward walk of about 5 miles. Depending on your pace allow about 3- 4 hours - there's a lot to see. A map and compass should be taken, but even in misty weather you're never far from an obvious track.
 
Looking back (SX 596741) towards Princetown. The TV aerial is on North Hessary Tor with the grim buildings of Dartmoor prison just underneath. On the right horizon is Great Mis Tor.
Off we go along the leat path.
A sheep leap across the leat. There are many of these along the way.
Looking E at (SX 599737) along the Blackbrook river as it travels down to join with the West Dart river.
A sheltered spot beside the leat just north of Tor Royal.
Looking back towards the white mansion of Tor Royal at (SX 602728). It was built by Thomas Tyrwhitt in 1785. Tyrwhitt also built Dartmoor Prison and the Plymouth & Dartmoor railway.
Looking W from SX 601723 over what is probably the remains of the old sewage leat from Dartmoor prison. This would have crossed the Devonport leat at this point and then discharged into the slopes of Royal Hill.
The leat at Peat Cot (SX 605714) as it begins a hairpin bend. There are a number of houses here tucked away in the valley.
Looking SE from (SX 612714) towards Ter Hill on the horizon. Down on the right can be seen part of Whiteworks and Fox Tor Mire.
An old tin mine shaft at Whiteworks.
Another view (SX 6107110 looking over For Tor Mire. The buildings are of Whiteworks. There are a lot of old tin workings around here.
A cist. Probably an old Beaker Folk burial chamber.
Looking E over Fox Tor Mire from SX 608706. Ter Hill and Down Ridge lie on the horizon.
An E view over Fox Tor Mire from SX 608703. The rocks of Fox Tor can just be seen below the horizon towards the right.
Looking back towards Whiteworks from the leat.
A flood relief sluice by the leat at SX 608698. The path over the bridge leads onto the Abbot's way.
The leat disappears into the tunnel that goes underneath Nun's Cross - SX 607697. This tunnel is an impressive piece of work.
The end of the initial exploratory leat at Nun's Cross. It was hoped that this part would follow a cutting through the hillside here, but the sides would have been too steep. Instead a tunnel was built.
Nun's Cross farm. This is now used as an adventure training base.
The leat as it emerges from the tunnel at SX 602699.
Heading back towards the track that leads to South Hessary Tor - SX 598718.
Tim Wilson and Dave Addis.
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Looking N along the path that leads towards South Hessary Tor and Princetown.
South Hessary Tor - SX 597723. This is one of the boundary points of the forest of Dartmoor. There's an iron spike on top of the tor with an inscribed head "FB" - Forest Boundary.
Coming back into Princetown. The prison buildings lie in the distance with the TV aerial on North Hessary Tor on the left.
 


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