Featured image of post Venford Reservoir, Holne Moor
East Dartmoor

Venford Reservoir, Holne Moor

A short circular to the Northeast of Venford Reservoir. Including ancient woodlands, open moor, several Tors, Strip fields and a boundary stone from a past Lord of the Manor.

A medium 3 mile walk by Keith Ryan on  Oct 16, 2013.   Added on  Nov 21, 2024

Information

Map

Map of Route - Crown Copyright - Ordnance Survey Licence number 100047373

Introduction

Venford Reservoir has all-year parking. There are public toilets adjacent. The approach was from the A38/Ashburton turn-off, passing the River Dart Country Park, crossing the Holne Bridge over the River Dart, through Holne and on to the Venford Reservoir, parking at the park over the dam. The roads to this car park are quite good with parking and toilets at the P symbol and yellow cross on the map.

Venford Reservoir under the skies of an threatening weather forecast - but it was clearing weather

This sign did not lend itself to detailed photography, it seemed to be rotting in the case

The new spillway construction, built 2009

Original gate controls from 1907, halfway across the dam

Looking down into the valley of the Dart

Sharp Tor (right edge), SX 686 729, elevation 380 metres (1246 feet)

An Usnea-type lichen

Quick - while the sun is shining!

The Woodland Path

The path behind

The path ahead in White Wood, below Bench (aka Benjy) Tor

One of five or more drainage channels across the path

Sign of unknown meaning, no doubt associated with a nearby water hydrant valve

“Millstone” - Two granite slabs beside the path (SX 68876 72099), where we follow the small path that climbs up on the left

Bracket fungus, photographed at fairly long range for my camera

At the top of the path going up to Bench Tor, going out into the sunlight

Sharp Tor View

Sharp Tor (left) and Mel Tor (right), SX 693 726, elevation 346 metres (1135 feet)

Sharp Tor

Mel Tor

Yar Tor, at SX 678 740, elevation 416 metres (1364 feet) in the distance with Sharp Tor (right) and Rowbrook House in the foreground

Combestone Tor, SX 670 718, elevation 356 metres (1168 feet)

Bench Tor

The northern-most section of Bench Tor, 691 717, elevation 312 metres (1023 feet)

One of the piles of Bench Tor

The next approached pile of Bench Tor although it was not explored on this walk

As previous photograph

Looking in a westerly direction at old field systems - there are both “square” and strip fields to be seen on closer inspection

Return to the Dam

A view of the 2009 spillway in sunshine!

“Can you see it now?”

The revamped buildings below the dam

Richard Dawson stone

Boundary stone marked RD / H, signifying Richard Dawson, Lord of the Manor of Holne. The reservoir catchment area of 700 acres is marked by these stones at 200 yard intervals. Reference: Dave Brewer (2002), Dartmoor Boundary Markers, Halsgrove, page 288

Another view, with the dam in the background

Looking along the dam