Will May's House

Will May was a Chagford peat cutter who worked the peat around Gidleigh Common in the 1780's. Will May's House (SX 639868) is a small ruin (6.5 * 4.5 ft) that sheltered him while he worked in this lonely but beautiful place. There is a well preserved fireplace inside, an intact entrance and a nearby slab that may have been the door lintel. This walk is a good way to enter and experience isolated fenland that doesn't take you too far into the proper moor.

Park at Batworthy (SX 662865) which has space for 5 or so cars. Follow the path onto Shovel Down. On your left is the impressive tor of Kes Tor. After admiring the stone rows that abound in this area head off towards Fernworthy and Stonetor Hill. There are some miry patches around so use the newtake walls as guides to take you to the ford across the Teign river at the rails. Once over the ford follow the wall northerly (there are more miry patches around here) until the wall abruptly turns westwards up to Watern Tor. Carry on northwards with miry ground on your right until you find the sheltered ruin of Will May's House. Then carry on about 100 yards north and then turn directly east towards the clapper bridge. There is some wet ground to pass. 

This is a fairly easy walk of about 4 miles. Allow 3 hours at an easy pace. Little climbing but some of the ground is quite wet and there are extensive mires around. Don't underestimate the wetness of this area. A compass and map is essential. Mist could be a problem.

	The path leading up to the moor at Batworthy (SX 662865).
	A stone row on Shovel Down.
	The newtake wall at SX 650855. The trees in the mist are part of the Fernworthy plantation.
	The North Teign River upstream at SX 642864. In the background lies the small valley of Hugh Lake with Hew Down in the mist.
	Another shot of the North Teign River at SX 642864. This is downstream.
	Looking up the Teign valley from Hew Lake Foot.
	The Teign rail crossing at Hew Lake Foot (SX 640860)
	Looking back at the newtake wall from SX 638866.
	A view of Will May's House that shows the fireplace built into the walls.
	Will May's House (SX 639868) with Gidleigh marsh in the background.
	Will May's House. It's really tiny in here. (SX 639868)
	Another view of Will May's House. In the background lies the Teign valley.
	A northerly view from SX 645870 - Rippator lies in the mid background.
	Heading back towards Scorhill Down.
	A westerly view from the track that leads in towards the Clapper bridge.
	The Teign-e-Ver Clapper bridge at SX 653870.
	The North Teign river at SX 653870. Behind the tree in the mist lies the ridge of Watern Tor.
	Heading back towards Batworthy Corner.