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Statts House

Statts House (SX 621825) was a simple shelter for 19th century peat cutters. It is small, ruined and situated on Winney's Down in the central part of northern Dartmoor near to the East Dart. Despite its isolation it is quite easy to get to. Large parts of the moor are accessible from Statts House. On a clear day the views from this walk are excellent.
There are a number of ways to get to it. This walk started from  a car park (SX 659839) in Fernworthy forest, which means walking about a mile along a forest path before getting onto the moor. Then take a path towards Sittaford Tor - passing the Grey Wethers circle on the way. Statts house is about 1 mile away to the south west. There is some wet ground on the way. Kit Rocks is a short walk away over some roughish ground. Quintin's man cairn is about 1 mile north east. Head back towards Fernworthy via the ruined Teignhead farm.
This walk is fairly straightforward. It is about 7 miles long - some of the ground is quite rough and wet. Allow about 3.5 hours at a reasonable pace.  A map and compass must be taken. Bad weather will make this walk a challenge. 
The walk lies in the army firing range.
 
The car park (SX 659839) within Fernworthy forest. The path to the moor lies behind the gate.
A forest path. Large parts of the forest have been felled for wood.
Looking back at the forest as we emerge onto the moor.
Another view of the forest as we get near to the stone circle.
Part of the Grey Wethers stone circle (SX 639831). Wethers is an old name for sheep - at a distance maybe the stones look like a load of sheep.
An overview of the circle as we climb up the eastern side of Sittaford Tor.
The view south towards Postbridge from Sittaford Tor (SX 633831). This is the East Dart valley.
The path that takes us to Winney's Down from Sittaford Tor.
Looking back at the western face of Sittaford Tor.
Sittaford Tor from Statts House. The connecting path shows up well. The walk is  straightforward apart from a marshy part in the middle.
The fireplace of Statts house (SX 621825). As you can see this is a pretty small shelter.
The view over southern Dartmoor from Winney's Down. Statts house is in the midground. 
The East Dart valley from Kit Rocks (SX 613828). Broad Marsh lies in the mid distance.
Kit Rocks from the East Dart.
The isolation of Teign Head with Black Hill on the horizon. In the winter this would be a wet place.
The cairn at Quintin's Man (SX 621839). The dogs think that a rabbit is hiding inside the stones.
The view over Great Varracombe from Quintin's Man. Fernworthy forest is on the horizon.
Fernworthy forest from a newtake near to the ruins of Teignhead Farm.
The north view from the clapper bridge over the Teign (SX 639845). On the left is Manga Hill with the ruins of Manga Farm just behind the newtake walls.
Looking toward Teignhead Farm from the clapper bridge. The farm was active in the 19th century but became disused before the war and was demolished in 1971. When it was originally built it made enclosure encursions upon Gidleigh Common which caused great conflict with the local commoners.
Back inside the forest. There's a mile walk from here to the car park.
 


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