From Tavy bank to high moorland

By Ron Smith

Travel north from Tavistock and just before you enter Mary Tavy, turn right off the A386 by the Mary Tavy Inn. At the bottom of the hill, turn right again, pass Mary Tavy Church and park as far along the lane as you can, near the hydroelectric power station. This has operated since 1932, currently rated at about 2.5Mw. Carry on to the footbridge over the River Tavy. You may choose to indulge yourself with coffee on the bench by the river.

Over the bridge, turn left and follow the track through heavily mined territory. This was the South Mine of Devon United, mining for tin and a little arsenic in the 1920s. Notice an adit portal with a stream coming out of the hillside; then the remains of a water turbine and the pipe that supplied water. There is also a leat. Just further along is a vast hole in the ground. Leave this to the Mining Exploration Group to delve into! The track rises across fields to a tarmac lane, turn left on this. In about half a kilometre, take the right fork steeply uphill to pass the ancient farm of Cudliptown. Continue uphill until you turn right off the tarmac across a clapper bridge. This track goes past fields for half a kilometre or so to a T-junction with a main track leading up left to the high moor.

Here you have choice. You are now half way through your 5km option. Turn right to complete 5km, or turn left uphill for 1km, then straight back down again. Why bother? Well, firstly you will end up right out on the open moorland, with wonderful views in all directions. But most importantly, you will visit the iconic Stephen’s Grave. It is not a spectacular object; but what a story.

Poor John Stephens was an agricultural labourer at Lower Goldsworthy Farm. He wooed and nearly won the daughter of the posh farmer at Wedlake. These two farms are in the valley in front of you, between here and Cox Tor. Perhaps he lost her affections, perhaps her parents rejected him as a future son-in-law; there are various stories. Anyway, he committed suicide, so is buried up here in the middle of nowhere. Locals will not walk up here after dark: would you? So onward and upward you go if your legs feel fit, before returning to this spot.

Downhill it is not far to a tarmac lane. Turn briefly left uphill a bit, but do not go far enough to be between fields. An obvious worn path leads down 100m across the last bit of open moor to a stile, crossing into a field with a gate at the far side. The path stays above Little Combe with its tumbling stream below and to your left. Beautiful moss covered boulders amaze your eyes! When there is a four way finger post, you go straight on. But pause a while and go left 50m to sit on a nice bench and enjoy the waters of Little Combe as they cascade steeply over water-worn boulders.

Continue along the Combe and into Peter Tavy Village. Immediately after crossing the stream, take the track along the far side of the stream to join the main road. Turn right uphill, and almost at once you reach Peter Tavy Church. Take the lane to the left passing the Peter Tavy Inn, this lane turns into a track that leads diagonally downhill, back to the bridge where you first crossed the Tavy.

As I am sure you have noticed, there are two Inns available for you; both do good food and are well worth a visit.

For more and longer walks try plymouthramblers.org.uk or the Dartmoor Rambling Club on 07780 913546 (public transport mid-week).