The Rosalie Stone

The Rosalie Stone has the word Rosalie carved on it. Nobody seems to know much about it, who carved it and who Rosalie was. Was she the sweetheart of a lonely Dartmoor shepherd? Or a tinner's fiance? The stone is located west of Broadall Head in Broadall Gulf on the southern slopes of the moor. It is a very pleasant place to stop at - especially in good weather - since there are fine views over the southern parts of the moor and the neighbouring parts of South Hams.  

Park at New Waste (SX 624611). Take the path that leads north to Watercombe Gate and carry northwards following the contours of the hillside. The Yealm valley is obvious and so finding Yealm steps is easy. At the top of the steps turn directly west and head towards Broadall Head. Then you need to carry on westwards until you find the Rosalie Stone. This isn't the easiest stone to find. Then head north up to the plateau path that takes you past Langcombe Hill and then down to the top of the Erme valley. The remains of Erme Pits are obvious but then take the path beside the west side of the Erme all the way down to Blatchford Bottom. From here there is a distinct path that takes you past the water treatment plant and then to the car park.

This is a good 9+ mile walk with little wet ground apart from the high ground of Langcombe Hill. If mist descends then it would be easy to get disorientated. Langcombe Hill is an isolated place which may be tricky to navigate over in poor conditions.

No military areas to worry about.

	The footpath (SX 625612) leading north towards Watercombe Gate from New Waste.
	The lane beside Watercombe.
	One of the Bronze Age settlements within the enclosure at SX 623624
	Looking northwards up the Yealm valley from the edge of the hillside at SX 623630. The waterfall at Yealm Steps is clearly seen in the middle of the picture.
	The blowing house (SX 618635) beside the Yealm south of Yealm Steps. Now it appears just a jumble of rocks, but originally this would have been a distinct building whose job it was to process the mined local tin into ingots. It would have been powered from the Yealm stream.
	A closer look at the mould stone from the blowing house. This is where the tin ingots would have been created.
	One of the waterfalls at Yealm Steps.
	Remains of the Yealm Steps blowing house at SX 617638
	A closer look at the Yealm Steps blowing house.
	The Yealm valley from SX 615638
	The Rosalie stone at SX 605640. Who inscribed this? Who was Rosalie?
	The view looking south over the edge of the South Hams from Broadall Gulf. The Rosalie stone is at the bottom of the picture.
	The triangulation point at Shavercombe Head (SX 602645) - 493 metres. This is one of the highest points on South Dartmoor and there are excellent views from here.
	On the plateau path going towards Langcombe Hill. This picture is taken in pretty well ideal conditions where the walking was easy over dry ground. The views are excellent from this exposed place.
	A Langcombe Hill boundary stone at SX 618658. It is inscribed with BB which stands for Blachford Bounds. Blachford is an ancient manor based in Cornwood.
	One of the tributary heads of the Erme at SX 622667
	Erme Pits. These are the remains of medieval (and later) tin workings. There are heaps of stones and large gulleys that pass between large mounds of granite. At one time this must have been an industrial eyesore, but time has weathered the rocks and the Pits now support a good population of rabbits.
	Looking back at Erme pits from the upper Erme valley.
	The beautiful Upper Erme valley. This secluded valley is one of the most lovely areas of inner Dartmoor.
	The strangely named The Meadows (SX 637657) with the Erme meandering through. Straight ahead on the horizon is Green Hill - purportedly one of the most fertile places on the moor.
	Erme Pound - SX 638656. This Bronze age circle has been used as an animal pound for a long time. There are 2 huts built outside the pound that acted as shelters for the herders. One of them has substantial seating inside.
	Beside the longest stone row in the world - SX 636654. Over 2 miles long it ends at a cairn on Green Hill.
	Remains of the Hook Lake blowing house at SX 639651
	Another view of the long stone row. How long has this row been here? Who built it? Why did they? Is it a boundary marker - or maybe a significant row?
	Approaching the Dancers' stone circle (SX 635644) from the north. The story goes that 26 girls came up here one Sunday to dance and party. For their sins they were turned into stone in case others were tempted to do the same.
	Another view of the Dancers' circle.
	On the southern slopes of Stall Moor overlooking the Erme just before it enters the steep sided valley below Harford Moor.
	Remains of one of the settlements beside Blatchford Bottom and the Erme - SX 635640
	The Dry Lake valley.
	Downing's house (SX 639629). This is a medieval tinner's beehive shelter where tools and tin ingots were probably stored. It is too small to be a shelter. Originally it would have been covered by turf.
	Looking down south at the Erme valley from the path at SX 640613. On the right skyline there is Burford Down that contains the rocks of Tristis Rocks.