All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home
|
|
Snaily HouseSnaily House is a ruined farmhouse that lies beside the East Dart just south of Bellever. The ruins lie rather hidden within the Whiteslades coniferous plantation which is all that is left of an old Dartmoor tenement from the 1700s. The story goes that the last inhabitants of the house were two spinsters who were rather fond of eating bottled, salted slugs and a few garden vegetables - hence the name Snaily. Local farmers suspected them of sheep stealing so we can imagine their surprise when the bottled secret slipped out. Apparently, the embarrassed ladies pined away and died leaving the house to fall into ruins. Of course, this is not quite true although Dartmoor does have a heritage of "diet supplement" tales that involve thick black slugs. Two elderly agricultural labourers (a man and a woman) occupied this farmstead in the 1840s and it is from this time that Whiteslades farm became known as Snaily House.Park offroad at SX 664775 and take the southerly path along the ridge for just over a mile until you get to a gate that leads onto Babeny. Turn around and head west on down the hillside towards the river at the obvious stepping stones at Laughter Hole. Cross into the Whiteslade plantation and walk beside the river stopping by Snaily House on the way. Carry on through the plantation and continue walking beside the river to Bellever Bridge. From there it is a short walk up the hill to the car park.An easy walk over the ridge, but rather wet down by the river. Certainly not a walk for trainers. About 3 miles with no real hazards to worry about. This would be a lovely spring or early summer walk.
|
|
All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home |