Dartmoor Ponies by Eleanor Blundell
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is in Dartmoor National Park in England.
Dartmoor National Nature Reserves
Black-a-Tor Copse (NNR)
Black-a-Tor Copse is an area of woodland, granite clitter (rocks) and moorland 380 metres above sea level. The reserve is one of Britain’s best examples of high altitude oak woodland and is nationally important for the variety of lichens and mosses that clothe the trees and rocks.
Black-a-Tor Copse is one of three high altitude woodlands on Dartmoor, offering views across the West Okement River Valley. English oak trees have grown through large granite boulders or ‘clitter’ to create a woodland which is nationally important for rare lichens and mosses.
The clean air and damp humid conditions of Dartmoor provide the perfect place for the lichens to thrive. As well as rare lichens such as Bryoria smithii, more common species including the beard lichen can also be spotted.
Twenty species of breeding birds have been recorded in the woodland and surrounding habitat, including ring ouzel and redstart.
The woodland isn’t actively managed, but light grazing by the cattle, sheep and ponies that reside on the open moorland help sustain the open character and abundant lichens and mosses. The moorland is also periodically burnt in an ancient practice known as ‘swaling’. This provides patches of more palatable grass for livestock in spring and reduces the spread of gorse and young trees.
East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths (NNR)
East Dartmoor consists of 3 joined but distinct areas: Yarner Wood, Trendlebere Down and the Bovey Valley Woodlands. Together they provide an excellent example of internationally important western oakwood with its associated bird and lower plant communities.
Look out for pied flycatchers, woodpeckers and wood warblers in the woods, Dartford warblers, ponies and fritillary butterflies around the moorland, and dippers along the River Bovey.
Wistman’s Wood (NNR)
Wistman’s Wood is a small upland oakwood in the valley of the West Dart River.
Wistman’s Wood NNR is the most famous of 3 high altitude woodland copses on Dartmoor. The wood is surrounded by granite tors and moorland and the NNR is important for the mosses and lichens found on the site’s trees and granite boulders.
The oldest trees are about 400 years old, with the woodland area doubling in size in the last 100 years.
The reserve was the site of one of the largest Bronze Age settlements in Dartmoor. The remains of almost 100 ancient buildings can be spotted.
Woodland birds such as redstart and spotted flycatcher can be seen in the wood in spring and summer, along with wheatear, stonechat and whinchat in open areas. Winter brings merlins, meadow pipits and skylarks. Short-eared owls and hen harrier can be seen on the darkest winter days.
Dendles Wood (NNR)
This is a hazardous site and for health and safety reasons public access is limited to permit holders.
Dendles Wood NNR is an area of upland oak-beech woodland located in a narrow gorge of the River Yealm. The woodland is rich in ferns, mosses and lichens.
The woodland is of particular scientific interest because it is a mixed oak-beech wood pasture which predates a large scale planting of beech in Devon in the sixteenth century. The beech is therefore assumed to be native at the edge of its natural range.
The typical damp conditions of upland Atlantic oak woods encourages a rich community of lichens and mosses. Breeding birds include redstart, wood warbler and pied flycatcher.
Seven species of bat have been found here including the nationally rare barbastelle bat which breeds here. There is a good population of the blue ground beetle which is a red data book species.
The best times to visit are from mid-April to mid-June for woodland birds and bluebells.
Created: 29 March 2021 Edited: 29 November 2023
Black-a-Tor Copse Details
Black-a-Tor Copse is a nature reserve managed by Dartmoor NNR.
East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve Details
East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve is a nature reserve managed by Natural England.
Dendles Wood Details
Dendles Wood is a nature reserve managed by Natural England.
Dartmoor
Dartmoor LiDAR Map
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Local History around Dartmoor
There are some historic monuments around including:
Cairn 190m west of ArchertonStone hut circle on Down Ridge 480m south west of Saddle BridgeWayside cross 1120m ENE of Childe's TombFoxton CrossTwo prehistoric settlements and associated field systems 810m north east of Beardown FarmYar Tor stone row and adjacent cistRoundy Park prehistoric enclosure and cairn with cist, 560m north east of ArchertonStone alignment, cairns, enclosed prehistoric settlement and a length of reave on Hurston RidgeMedieval strip field system, tinworks, part of a prehistoric settlement, a cairn and reave on Challacombe DownPrehistoric settlement and irregular aggregate field system 340m south west of Laughter Hole FarmStone hut circle 630m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorBeardown Man standing stoneCairn and cist 400m east of Lydford TorTwo hut circles NW of Bush DownRound cairn on Soussons Down, 1.2km north west of SoussonsStone hut circle 580m south west of Statts BridgeCairnfield and field 1030m north west of ArchertonTwo stone hut circles 810m west of Siward's or Nun's Cross forming part of an unenclosed stone hut circle settlementHut circle village 600yds (548m) SE of SwincombeBlowing house and mill at GobbetStone hut circle 655m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorPrehistoric stone hut circle settlement 630m south of Hemstone RocksTwo cairns on the summit of Water Hill 450m north west of Warren House InnMedieval settlement 470m east of HartylandPrehistoric settlement, field system and rabbit warren south of Longaford TorTwo enclosed stone hut circle settlements 300m south of Broad HoleUnenclosed stone hut circle settlement, two cairns and section of field system 330m north east of Hemstone RocksFour hut circles N of Bush DownStone cross on Ter HillPrehistoric enclosed settlement known as Broadun Ring, 500m north west of Hartland TorA round cairn on White Ridge lying 570m north of the source of Stannon BrookStone hut circle and associated walling 780m WNW of Longaford TorEnclosure east of Down Tor, 740m north east of Combshead TorA ring cairn 700m south east of Runnage Bridge, on the southern side of Soussons DownWayside cross 910m ESE of Crazy Well PoolRound cairn 480m south west of Higher White TorRing cairn on Holne Ridge 860m north west of Hapstead Ford and 1180m north east of Ryder's HillPrehistoric settlement and irregular aggregate field system 600m west of Laughter Hole FarmStone hut circle 890m south-west of Beardown ManTwo stone circles known as The Grey Wethers, three round cairns, two ring cairns and an oval enclosure in Great Stannon NewtakeSherberton stone circle 315m SSE of Little SherbertonThree agglomerated enclosures containing stone hut circles, a cairn cemetery, post-medieval fields and tinworks on Chagford CommonSettlement SE of Two Bridges, Blackbrook RiverEnclosed stone hut circle settlement and cairn 460m north east of Rough TorHorn's CrossPartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 780m south west of MetherallThree agglomerated enclosures, a round cairn and part of the Stannon block field system lying within Great Stannon NewtakeCamp 325yds (300m) SE of ArchertonDown Ridge stone circle and outlying standing stone 570m and 650m south of Forest InnAn agglomerated enclosure and two stone hut circles 580m west of Laughter Hole FarmStone hut circle 770m west of Siward's or Nun's Cross forming part of an unenclosed stone hut circle settlementStone alignment and cairn 830m east of Down TorBlowing houses at Week FordEnclosed prehistoric settlement and round cairn 880m south west of Venford Reservoir damStone alignment, hut circle settlement, medieval long house and post-medieval farmstead at AssycombeEylesbarrow Tin Mine and associated remainsRabbit warren 410m west and 310m north west of Beardown FarmTwo stone hut circles 675m south-west of Beardown Man forming the southern limit of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slopes of Conies Down TorQuintin's Man round cairnHut circle and field system NW of Saddle BridgeStone hut circle 640m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorCairnfield and enclosure 725m east of Cuckoo RockTwo cairns 720m and 800m east of Higher White TorStone hut circle and length of boundary walling 860m south west of Venford Reservoir damFour cairns on Holne Lee 1140m north west of GreatcombeHut circle 400yds (370m) SE of SwincombeRing cairn 296m south east of Riddon BrakeSiward's or Nun's CrossBlackaton Ball tin millTwo Headland Warren boundary stones, 275m and 430m north of Birch TorIrregular aggregate field system and stone hut circle 755m north east of Dunnabridge Pound FarmStone hut circle 635m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorTwo stone hut circles forming part of the enclosed stone hut circle settlement on the south-east slope of Conies Down TorA partially enclosed stone hut circle settlement, two cairns containing cists and a post-medieval building 440m NNW of Powder MillsAn enclosed stone hut circle settlement, round cairn, pillow mound and tinworking earthworks 820m WSW of Nun's CrossRound cairn 400m south east of Higher White TorCoaxial fields and prehistoric settlements 180m north and 350m north west of Hartland TorPrehistoric fields, settlements and cairn south east of Venford Reservoir forming part of the Dartmeet coaxial field systemGunpowder factory at Powder Mills, a partially enclosed stone hut circle settlement and round cairnWayside cross on Down Ridge 730m south west of Saddle BridgeWayside cross on Down Ridge 1.1km south west of Saddle BridgeTinworks, field systems, settlements, warren, cairns and a stone alignment at Headland WarrenFive cairns, two stone alignments and three cists, forming part of a ritual complex on Lakehead HillTwo double stone alignments, cairn and standing stone 700m south west of Laughter Hole FarmHut circles SE of Yar TorCairns N of Corndon TorPartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement known as Kraps RingCairn cemetery 900m north east of Hapstead Ford and 2km WSW of Fore StokePart of the Dartmeet coaxial field system and other archaeological remains on Holne Moor west and north west of Venford ReservoirStone hut circle 215m south east of Hartland TorStone alignment 260m south of Higher White TorTwo irregular aggregate field systems with associated settlements, part of a coaxial field system, boundary stones and historic fields on Riddon RidgeA partially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 670m south of The Grey WethersEnclosed prehistoric settlement 650m south west of Longaford TorAn enclosed stone hut circle settlement 940m WSW of Nun's CrossClapper Bridge, PostbridgeThree stone hut circles 780m SSW of Venford Reservoir damCoaxial fields, prehistoric settlement, two cairns and a stone alignment in Little Stannon Newtake, 900m south east of Stannon TorOuldsbroom CrossTwo cairns with cists E of Whiteworks tin mine buildingsFour round barrows on Soussons Down, 960m north west of SoussonsCairn and cist 875m north west of Arch TorTinners' building in Great Stannon Newtake, 810m north west of Stannon TorRound cairn east of Down Tor, 770m north east of Combshead TorFour stone hut circles and associated boundary walls south east of Fernworthy Reservoir, 250m north west of MetherallPartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 420m north west and 440m west of Horn's CrossEnclosure and stone hut circle 200m south of Broad HoleSix pillow mounds in Crockern Newtake forming an outlying part of a rabbit warren on the western slopes of Longaford and Littaford TorsCairn S of Royal HillCist and cairn 590m SSE of Skir FordBroadun prehistoric enclosed settlement, 780m NNW of ArchertonRound cairn and Headland Warren boundary stone 210m north of Birch TorFour cairns 560m east of Hapstead Ford and 1660m east of Ryder's Hill, forming part of a cairn cemetery in the Mardle ValleyRingleshutes tinworkCairn on Hurston Ridge 1km north west of Warren House InnKerbed cairn and cist 635m south west of The Grey WethersPillow mound 670m WNW of Longaford Tor forming an outlying part of a rabbit warren on the western slopes of Longaford and Littaford TorsHuccaby RingDispersed stone hut circle settlement and associated fields 490m south east of Silk HouseEnclosure and fields N of Yar TorTwo cairns on Cator CommonMedieval farmstead and field system, post-medieval tinworks, prehistoric settlements and cairns north and west of Gibby CoombeTwo prehistoric settlements 1280m SSW of The Grey WethersA stone circle, known as Fernworthy Circle, three stone alignments and five cairns 425m and 525m north west of Sandeman BridgePartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 560m west of Horn's CrossCross NE of Nun's CrossStone hut circle 530m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorTwo cairns and a cist 300yds (270m) NW of Swincombe intakeBrimpts Mine, three prehistoric settlements and associated reaves 550m north west of Outer Huccaby RingBlowing house on Down RidgeTwo stone hut circles 850m west of Siward's or Nun's Cross, forming part of an unenclosed stone hut circle settlementThree hut circles E of Bush DownEnclosure on Cator Common, 400m ESE of Riddon BrakeA cairn and cist 380m west and a cairn and standing stone 370m south west of Bellever Tor, forming an outlying part of a cairn cemeteryThree pillow mounds adjacent to Longaford Tor forming an outlying part of a rabbit warren on the western slopes of Longaford and Littaford TorsCairn 500m NNW of ArchertonPrehistoric enclosed settlement known as Outer Huccaby Ring and associated irregular aggregate field systemPartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 900m and 940m north west of Warren House InnFour cairns 310m south of Horn's Cross forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne RidgePrehistoric enclosed settlement 740m north west of Hartland TorUnenclosed stone hut circle settlement on Tom's Hill, 870m north west of Sandeman BridgeRound cairn 590m south-west of Beardown Man lying on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorRound cairn and cist on the south west side of Crow TorHut circle 150yds (140m) NE of Moorlands FarmCairn and cist on Chittaford Down, 300m north of ArchertonKistvaen 325yds (300m) S of ArchertonRound cairn 580m south of Horn's Cross forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne RidgePartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 350m south west of Horn's CrossEight cairns forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne Ridge and a stone alignment immediately west of Horn's CrossA prehistoric settlement with enclosures, an irregular aggregate field system and cairn north of Bellever TorHut 700yds (640m) NW of Sharp TorStone alignment and cairn 470m east of Stannon Brook sourceStone hut circle settlement 320m north east of CrockernCairn with cist S of Royal HillHut circles and field system SW of Combestone WoodThree round cairns 960m and 920m north east of Outer Huccaby RingCairn on Chagford Common 320m west of West Vitifer MineEnclosed prehistoric settlement and three round cairns 870m south east of Horn's CrossEnclosure and stone hut circle 160m south east of Broad HoleCairn on Corndon TorBennett's Cross: a wayside cross on the south side of the B3212, 900m north east of the Warren House InnTwo cairns with two cists and a stone hut circle on the east facing slope of Lakehead Hill forming part of a ritual complexEnclosure and stone hut circle 535m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of the dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorEnclosed stone hut circle settlement on the south-east slope of Conies Down TorTwo round cairns 800m north west of Statts Bridge.
