Off the beaten track at Burrator

Incorporating Longstone Manor, Burrator Reservoir and Sheeps Tor

Distance:  A circular route of 3.2miles  

Difficulty:  Moderate with one steep optional climb

Time:  Approx. one hour and 20 minutes

With the area surrounding Burrator reservoir having undergone many improvements during the past 3 years of Heritage Lottery Funding, we thought we’d take a dog walk that incorporates some of its finer features and some of the work that’s recently been undertaken.

1. Park at the base of Sheeps Tor SX 559 679  (if travelling from Dousland to Burrator, once at the reservoir, head over the main dam towards the village of Sheepstor, continue on this road and take the first available turning to the left, continue for 500 yds and park).   Walk along the road in a NW direction (ahead of the direction you arrived) for a further 200 yds and take the gate through to the inner area of the reservoir where you will start to walk on a path alongside the waters edge. Continue in a northerly direction around the reservoir (away from the dam).  The path in some areas can be rather muddy and narrow with tree roots – do take care!

2.  After about half a mile you will reach the ruins of Longstone Manor one of the major heritage funding projects. The path beside the manor will take you around an area of land /plantation that juts into the reservoir. This would be a lovely area to stop for a picnic and take in the breath-taking views of the reservoir.  This is a peaceful area and popular with fly fishermen, so please be considerate.  (Dogs are not allowed in the water.)

3. Continue on this path and along the edge of the reservoir for a further half mile or so. You will pass stiles that take you back over the fence to the road.  Continue along the track though until you get to the third stile.  Here you need to cross over the road and head up the track on the opposite side (recently widened from tree clearing, with some forestry debris still evident).  Continue on this track until you reach a gate.  Go through the gate and you will see a signpost saying Sheeps Tor or Sheepstor village.  At this point you can decide to be energetic and turn left to take in the stunning views afforded from the top of Sheeps Tor or turn right and enjoy the more sedate track which skirts the base of the Tor and then on through the trees until the path reaches the final gate (as mentioned in point 5 here).

4. If taking the high road to the top – follow the track until it comes out onto open moor and the base of Sheeps Tor, continue round to the left until you see a clear grass path that takes you up to the top of the Tor (up to your right.) This is a relatively steep climb – but certainly worth it!

5. From the top of the Tor you will be able to identify grass tracks/paths that take you down the steeper side of the Tor and down to the edge of the woods where you will go through a gate and pick up the stone track back to your car.

For this walk:  OS Map  OL28 and compass skills are required in case of poor visibility.  For your own safety never cross rivers in full flow.