Rattlebrook Peat Works

Rattlebrook Peat Works is a good example of a failed Dartmoor venture. The peaty head basin of the Rattlebrook attracted a few adventurers willing to try and process the peat for naptha fuel. They all failed - but considerable sums were spent in constructing a windy narrow gauge railway that stretched nearly 5 miles from Bridestowe station up to the desolate platform of Rattlebrook some 350m above. Their loss is our gain. The railway track is a splendid way of getting to this part of Dartmoor.

Park at the car park (SX 526853) just up the track from the Dartmoor Inn on the Okehampton - Tavistock road. Take the NE track over High Down, and just before the ford over the Lyd at SX 532857 take the railway track up past Great Nodden. Follow it all the way to the Peat Works. There are splendid views on the way. At the top we crossed over to Great Links, admired the view and then rejoined the track. From the peat works head west through the old peat workings to Kitty Tor. If you want to then go down to Stenga Tor, there are good views over the West Ockment valley from there. Then head back to Kitty Tor and Green Tor. The ground is quite reasonable. Bleak House is next and then head south until you get to the packhorse track that takes you back down to the car park via Brat Tor.

This is a good 7 mile walk. The railway track is an easy way to get up to the moor. The area around the peat works can be a bit wet and there is some serious wet ground around Stenga Tor. Allow about 4-5 hours.  

Amicombe Hill is well within the army firing range.

	The car park near the Dartmoor Inn at SX 526853.
	The Lyd from High Down with Arms Tor and Great Nodden on the horizon.
	Overlooking the Lyd from High Down. Brat Tor and Doe Tor are on the horizon.
	The ford over the Lyd at SX 532857. The peak on the right is Arms Tor - on the left lies the rounded hill of Great Nodden.
	Heading up the old tramway at SX 533867 towards Great Nodden.
	The tramway bears left through a cutting that takes it to the western side of Great Nodden.
	A north view from the railway looking towards Sourton Tors and the Lake Viaduct.
	The railway bridge at SX 543880.
	Points - a Y junction where the peat trucks were rehitched by the horses.
	The view over West Devon from Great Links Tor. You can see the tiny peak of Little Links Tor with Great Nodden behind.
	A SE view from Great Links Tor. Fur Tor lies on the horizon.
	One of the barrel like blocks of Great Links Tor. This commanding tor has superb views over Devon and Cornwall.
	Ground Zero - the sad remains of Rattlebrook Peat Works. The buildings were demolished by the Army in 1961 on request by local farmers who feared for the safety of their animals.
	A westerly view from the drying house of the Peat works that shows the track of the old railway.
	Remains of a wood based tramway that transported peat down from Amicombe Hill to the Peat works.
	The view from Kitty Tor looking over towards Yes Tor and High Willhays. In the mid distance lies Stenga Tor with Black Tor behind. The Okement valley lies between the hills.
	Stenga Tor (SX 568880). This tor is surrounded by seriously boggy ground,
	The army observation posts of Kitty Tor (SX 568875) with High Willhays and Yes Tor on the horizon.
	Looking over to Fur Tor from Green Tor (SX 562864)
	Looking back at Bleak House with the Rattlebrook coming down the hillside.
	A boundary stone near Dick's Well at SX 551861. It marks the division between Bridestowe and Sourton parishes. BS is inscribed on the stone.
	Heading back towards Brat Tor along the pack horse track.
	Extensive tin workings around Doetor Brook.
	Widgery Cross on top of Brat Tor (SX540855).
	The westerly view over High Down and Lydford from Brat Tor.