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This walk: 2013-4-24. Norsworthy Bridge, C (County) stone, blowing houses (Norsworthy tin mills), wheel-pits, sheep creep, Leathertor Farm, potato cave, Leather Tor Bridge, Riddipit Steps, Riddipit Farm, Riddipit Tin Mill, mortar stone, spring (with movie), adit, Riddipit gert, Keaglesborough Mine, Classeywell Far, Nosworthy Farm.

Walk details below - Information about the route etc.

Link to Google Satellite view of the area

Norsworthy Bridge, at the "far end" of Burrator Reservoir (from the dam), over the River Meavy.

An unusual feature, the letter "C" inscribed on a boulder instead of on a proper "boundary" stone at SX 56689 69346, signifying a County stone, about 100 metres (meant to be 100 yards) from the bridge. These date possibly from the 1600's when the County took responsibility for maintaining bridges and the roads approaching from 100 yards in each direction. The concept dates from Henry VIII and the dissolution of the monasteries, when the Statute of Bridges was introduced in 1581. The Dartmoor C stones are listed on Legendary Dartmoor - The County Stones.

The inscribed letter "C" in close-up: the stone is now covered in moss.

Remains of a blowing house at SX 56737 69548 (Norsworthy Mill B) one of several in the area:

From Legendary Dartmoor - Tin Mills page .....

Somewhere I noted another at SX 56720 69770.

Another view, of the dilapidated wheel-pit.

The well known blowing house (Norsworthy Mill, SX 5687 6958) on the main track after turning left up the track from Norsworthy Bridge (the access stile, at SX 56787 69590, is seen at top right in this photograph) .....

Another view, with the access stile at top left. Mortar and mould stones can be seen on the floor. This site is described by Eric Hemery, High Dartmoor, page 126.

Prseumed sheep creep at SX 56653 69686, I say "presumed" because there is little head room for an upright sheep .....

Through view.

Leathertor Farm, at SX 56686 69809, first mentioned 1362, first recorded 1511 (maybe earlier), last used 1924. Some occupants were also tinners. Source: Paul Rendell (2007) Exploring Around Burrator, The Dartmoor Company, Okehampton, pages 20 and 55.

About 50 metres down the road towards Leather Tor Bridge, at SX 56717 69812, is this man-made vooga (fougou) or potato cave (32 x 7 x 8 ft high). Source: Eric Hemery, High Dartmoor, page 126. It would have been used for storing root crops, including potatoes and swedes - no doubt for their pasties!

Leather Tor Bridge, at SX 56885 69960. Walkhampton Parish Council decided on 20th June 1833 to build a bridge over Riddipit Stream at this spot (this is the site of the Riddipit Steps stepping stones crossing place). The next meeting the following month (25th July) it was resolved to accept a tender from George Worth and Wm. Mashford for �26.10s. The seven stepping stones of the old Riddipit Steps are still to be seen, four in situ and three displaced by floods. Alongside the steps is the even older, overgrown ford. Source: Eric Hemery, High Dartmoor, page 126. Apparently, this was the last clapper bridge to be built on Dartmoor (Johnies Meanderings, 20th August 2012).

The ruins of Riddipit Farm longhouse, beside the track. First recorded 1564, abandoned by 1871 when the enclosures were incorporated into Leather Tor Farm. Source: Paul Rendell (2007) The Dartmoor Company, Okehampton, pages 31 and 57 ......

Riddipit Farm, the stile is at SX 56989 70090 .....

Zoomed view into the Riddipit site.

Another enclosure beside the track .....

Reddipit Tin Mill (blowing house) right beside the track, at SX 57020 70162 .....

Presumed mortar stone, with a shallow depression from a tin stamp?

Walking back down the track - a lot of water, still! .....

An up-welling spring IN the track.  Click the image to see a movie of the spring.