Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers
A delightful walk of just under 4 miles through Burrator Wood with Bruce Pryde of Tavistock Ramblers.
The walk starts from the roadside near Burrator dam (SX551679).
These woods are carpeted with bluebells in early May. The walk also takes you to Sheepstor where you can explore and discover the last Rajahs of Sarawak, whose tombs are in the churchyard. There are a few short uphill sections and some stiles to negotiate.
- Walk away from the dam and the reservoir and go through the roadside wooden gate on the left next to the toilets. Take the path beside the old leat. This was Drake’s Leat which carried water to Plymouth before the construction of Burrator reservoir rendered it obsolete. Soon the path slopes gently down through the woods. Follow it downwards to a group of three gates, then an open field, and eventually to another gate onto a lane. Meavy village is straight ahead and you may wish to visit the village and see the famous old oak tree, before continuing the walk.
- Turn the lane to the left and follow the road to the River Meavy. Cross on the stepping stones, if you dare, or go over the bridge and a short way up the hill to Marchant’s Cross. It is thought that this once marked the lands belonging to Buckland Abbey. Take the lane on your left and follow this until you reach a waymarked path on the right, opposite an old house. Look for the date above the door.
- Follow this path as it climbs up and to the left. It joins a farm track which you follow uphill a short distance before taking the waymarked path that leads off to the left, just before a field gate.
- A ladder stile over the wall soon appears on your left, go over it into the woods, and follow the level track to your right which will eventually rise gently. These are some of the finest bluebell woods in early spring that you can possibly hope to see. Keep going over a few more stiles before walking alongside the hedge of the first field and then diagonally across the next to reach the lane down to Sheepstor village. Here you can explore the fifteenth century church and the history of the Brooke family of Burrator House who became the white Rajahs of Sarawak – a most unusual story.
- Otherwise turn left at the cross, go along the lane and then take the first right. Keep going until you see the reservoir and then go through the gate to the left. Follow the path next to the water and over the earth Sheepstor dam. Take the stile to rejoin the road and turn right to go over the dam back to the start.
Tavistock Ramblers will be walking through the bluebell wood on Sunday 13th May and you are welcome to join them. For more details and for other bluebell walks in the area go to the website www.tavistockramblers.org.uk