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:
Two cairns and a cist 300yds (270m) NW of Swincombe intakePartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 420m north west and 440m west of Horn's CrossStone hut circle and length of boundary walling 860m south west of Venford Reservoir damAn agglomerated enclosure and two stone hut circles 580m west of Laughter Hole FarmRound cairn and cist on the south west side of Crow TorAn enclosed stone hut circle settlement 940m WSW of Nun's CrossCairn and cist 400m east of Lydford TorPrehistoric settlement, field system and rabbit warren south of Longaford TorA round cairn on White Ridge lying 570m north of the source of Stannon BrookThree agglomerated enclosures containing stone hut circles, a cairn cemetery, post-medieval fields and tinworks on Chagford CommonEylesbarrow Tin Mine and associated remainsPrehistoric settlement and irregular aggregate field system 340m south west of Laughter Hole FarmTinworks, field systems, settlements, warren, cairns and a stone alignment at Headland WarrenHut circles SE of Yar TorEnclosure and stone hut circle 535m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of the dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorPartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement known as Kraps RingCoaxial fields, prehistoric settlement, two cairns and a stone alignment in Little Stannon Newtake, 900m south east of Stannon TorTwo cairns 720m and 800m east of Higher White TorPrehistoric settlement and irregular aggregate field system 600m west of Laughter Hole FarmRound cairn 580m south of Horn's Cross forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne RidgeWayside cross 910m ESE of Crazy Well PoolYar Tor stone row and adjacent cistBlowing house on Down RidgeStone hut circle 580m south west of Statts BridgeStone hut circle 890m south-west of Beardown ManPrehistoric stone hut circle settlement 630m south of Hemstone RocksA stone circle, known as Fernworthy Circle, three stone alignments and five cairns 425m and 525m north west of Sandeman BridgeStone cross on Ter HillStone hut circle 530m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorFour cairns 310m south of Horn's Cross forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne RidgeTwo prehistoric settlements and associated field systems 810m north east of Beardown FarmDown Ridge stone circle and outlying standing stone 570m and 650m south of Forest InnEnclosed stone hut circle settlement and cairn 460m north east of Rough TorBennett's Cross: a wayside cross on the south side of the B3212, 900m north east of the Warren House InnEnclosure east of Down Tor, 740m north east of Combshead TorTwo stone circles known as The Grey Wethers, three round cairns, two ring cairns and an oval enclosure in Great Stannon NewtakeTwo cairns with cists E of Whiteworks tin mine buildingsUnenclosed stone hut circle settlement on Tom's Hill, 870m north west of Sandeman BridgeEnclosed stone hut circle settlement on the south-east slope of Conies Down TorCamp 325yds (300m) SE of ArchertonCairn 190m west of ArchertonA partially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 670m south of The Grey WethersThree hut circles E of Bush DownFive cairns, two stone alignments and three cists, forming part of a ritual complex on Lakehead HillStone hut circle settlement 320m north east of CrockernStone alignment and cairn 830m east of Down TorCairn with cist S of Royal HillRing cairn on Holne Ridge 860m north west of Hapstead Ford and 1180m north east of Ryder's HillTwo stone hut circles forming part of the enclosed stone hut circle settlement on the south-east slope of Conies Down TorCairn on Hurston Ridge 1km north west of Warren House InnStone hut circle 770m west of Siward's or Nun's Cross forming part of an unenclosed stone hut circle settlementThree round cairns 960m and 920m north east of Outer Huccaby RingPrehistoric enclosed settlement known as Broadun Ring, 500m north west of Hartland TorCairnfield and field 1030m north west of ArchertonPrehistoric enclosed settlement known as Outer Huccaby Ring and associated irregular aggregate field systemDispersed stone hut circle settlement and associated fields 490m south east of Silk HouseStone hut circle 630m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorWayside cross on Down Ridge 1.1km south west of Saddle BridgeStone hut circle 640m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorBlowing house and mill at GobbetAn enclosed stone hut circle settlement, round cairn, pillow mound and tinworking earthworks 820m WSW of Nun's CrossSix pillow mounds in Crockern Newtake forming an outlying part of a rabbit warren on the western slopes of Longaford and Littaford TorsCairn and cist 875m north west of Arch TorStone alignment, cairns, enclosed prehistoric settlement and a length of reave on Hurston RidgeCairn S of Royal HillHut circle and field system NW of Saddle BridgeRabbit warren 410m west and 310m north west of Beardown FarmCist and cairn 590m SSE of Skir FordPartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 780m south west of MetherallUnenclosed stone hut circle settlement, two cairns and section of field system 330m north east of Hemstone RocksHut circle 400yds (370m) SE of SwincombeHut 700yds (640m) NW of Sharp TorRingleshutes tinworkEnclosure and stone hut circle 200m south of Broad HoleTwo hut circles NW of Bush DownOuldsbroom CrossTwo cairns with two cists and a stone hut circle on the east facing slope of Lakehead Hill forming part of a ritual complexPartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 560m west of Horn's CrossHut circles and field system SW of Combestone WoodGunpowder factory at Powder Mills, a partially enclosed stone hut circle settlement and round cairnBrimpts Mine, three prehistoric settlements and associated reaves 550m north west of Outer Huccaby RingTwo Headland Warren boundary stones, 275m and 430m north of Birch TorEnclosed prehistoric settlement and three round cairns 870m south east of Horn's CrossFour stone hut circles and associated boundary walls south east of Fernworthy Reservoir, 250m north west of MetherallSherberton stone circle 315m SSE of Little SherbertonMedieval farmstead and field system, post-medieval tinworks, prehistoric settlements and cairns north and west of Gibby CoombeWayside cross 1120m ENE of Childe's TombA ring cairn 700m south east of Runnage Bridge, on the southern side of Soussons DownPillow mound 670m WNW of Longaford Tor forming an outlying part of a rabbit warren on the western slopes of Longaford and Littaford TorsCairn 500m NNW of ArchertonStone alignment, hut circle settlement, medieval long house and post-medieval farmstead at AssycombeStone hut circle 635m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorStone hut circle and associated walling 780m WNW of Longaford TorHut circle village 600yds (548m) SE of SwincombeTwo double stone alignments, cairn and standing stone 700m south west of Laughter Hole FarmPartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 350m south west of Horn's CrossTinners' building in Great Stannon Newtake, 810m north west of Stannon TorCoaxial fields and prehistoric settlements 180m north and 350m north west of Hartland TorTwo irregular aggregate field systems with associated settlements, part of a coaxial field system, boundary stones and historic fields on Riddon RidgePrehistoric fields, settlements and cairn south east of Venford Reservoir forming part of the Dartmeet coaxial field systemCairn cemetery 900m north east of Hapstead Ford and 2km WSW of Fore StokeIrregular aggregate field system and stone hut circle 755m north east of Dunnabridge Pound FarmEnclosure and fields N of Yar TorBlowing houses at Week FordPrehistoric enclosed settlement 740m north west of Hartland TorEight cairns forming part of a cairn cemetery on Holne Ridge and a stone alignment immediately west of Horn's CrossFoxton CrossRoundy Park prehistoric enclosure and cairn with cist, 560m north east of ArchertonFour round barrows on Soussons Down, 960m north west of SoussonsStone alignment 260m south of Higher White TorTwo prehistoric settlements 1280m SSW of The Grey WethersBeardown Man standing stoneWayside cross on Down Ridge 730m south west of Saddle BridgeCairns N of Corndon TorEnclosure and stone hut circle 160m south east of Broad HoleCairn and cist on Chittaford Down, 300m north of ArchertonTwo cairns on Cator CommonTwo cairns on the summit of Water Hill 450m north west of Warren House InnBroadun prehistoric enclosed settlement, 780m NNW of ArchertonStone hut circle 215m south east of Hartland TorKistvaen 325yds (300m) S of ArchertonStone alignment and cairn 470m east of Stannon Brook sourcePartially enclosed stone hut circle settlement 900m and 940m north west of Warren House InnCairn on Chagford Common 320m west of West Vitifer MineTwo stone hut circles 850m west of Siward's or Nun's Cross, forming part of an unenclosed stone hut circle settlementCairnfield and enclosure 725m east of Cuckoo RockHut circle 150yds (140m) NE of Moorlands FarmSiward's or Nun's CrossHorn's CrossMedieval strip field system, tinworks, part of a prehistoric settlement, a cairn and reave on Challacombe DownRound cairn 480m south west of Higher White TorEnclosed prehistoric settlement and round cairn 880m south west of Venford Reservoir damKerbed cairn and cist 635m south west of The Grey WethersBlackaton Ball tin millStone hut circle on Down Ridge 480m south west of Saddle BridgeRound cairn east of Down Tor, 770m north east of Combshead TorTwo stone hut circles 810m west of Siward's or Nun's Cross forming part of an unenclosed stone hut circle settlementClapper Bridge, PostbridgeTwo enclosed stone hut circle settlements 300m south of Broad HoleA cairn and cist 380m west and a cairn and standing stone 370m south west of Bellever Tor, forming an outlying part of a cairn cemeteryHuccaby RingRound cairn on Soussons Down, 1.2km north west of SoussonsFour cairns 560m east of Hapstead Ford and 1660m east of Ryder's Hill, forming part of a cairn cemetery in the Mardle ValleyThree pillow mounds adjacent to Longaford Tor forming an outlying part of a rabbit warren on the western slopes of Longaford and Littaford TorsFour hut circles N of Bush DownRound cairn 400m south east of Higher White TorA prehistoric settlement with enclosures, an irregular aggregate field system and cairn north of Bellever TorQuintin's Man round cairnRound cairn and Headland Warren boundary stone 210m north of Birch TorCairn on Corndon TorSettlement SE of Two Bridges, Blackbrook RiverStone hut circle 655m south-west of Beardown Man forming part of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorFour cairns on Holne Lee 1140m north west of GreatcombeMedieval settlement 470m east of HartylandEnclosed prehistoric settlement 650m south west of Longaford TorEnclosure on Cator Common, 400m ESE of Riddon BrakePart of the Dartmeet coaxial field system and other archaeological remains on Holne Moor west and north west of Venford ReservoirTwo stone hut circles 675m south-west of Beardown Man forming the southern limit of a dispersed settlement on the eastern slopes of Conies Down TorA partially enclosed stone hut circle settlement, two cairns containing cists and a post-medieval building 440m NNW of Powder MillsRing cairn 296m south east of Riddon BrakeThree stone hut circles 780m SSW of Venford Reservoir damTwo round cairns 800m north west of Statts BridgeRound cairn 590m south-west of Beardown Man lying on the eastern slope of Conies Down TorThree agglomerated enclosures, a round cairn and part of the Stannon block field system lying within Great Stannon NewtakeCross NE of Nun's Cross.
