Full Description
A celebration of Dartmoor's tors fantastical yet natural outcrops of rock that have captivated imaginations for centuries Dartmoor's Wild Tors is more than just a guide to these fabled granite stacks. Blending stunning original artwork with personal reflection, local legends and historical insight , this original new book offers an immersive take on 28 of these iconic Devon landforms. Millions of years old, the tors have long drawn artists, archaeologists and geologists; Victorian antiquarians believed them to be 'rock idols' worshipped by Druids, while Bronze Age people built ceremonial stone rows aligned to their majesty. Others come simply to hike around these mysterious monoliths, enjoying their untamed moorland setting, in Britain's first National Park. Journey through time and place with this book as your guide, exploring why these 'rock idols' garner such enduring fascination. Climb to the dramatic heights of Bench Tor, where the River Dart carves its way through the valley below. Explore the twin tors of Blackingstone Rock and Heltor, linked by legend as well as geography. Stand where medieval tin miners once held parliament at Crockern Tor (and where the spirit of 'Old Crockern' still inspires). Or stride out to experience the haunting beauty of the Dewerstone, its sheer cliffs rising above the River Plym, shrouded in myth and cloaked in Devon rainforest. Whether you're a hiker, swimmer, botanist or poet, this book will inspire you to experience this mesmerisingly wild corner of southern England anew.
Contents
Introduction 7
Good to Know 17
Greator Rocks 19
Bench Tor 27
Mel Tor 33
Dewerstone 39
West Mill Tor 45
Luckey Tor 51
Fox Tor 57
Great Mis Tor 63
Ugborough Beacon 69
Blackingstone Rock and Hel Tor 75
Down Tor 81
Sharpitor (Lustleigh) 87
Hookney Tor 93
Hen Tor 99
Crockern Tor 105
Calveslake Tor 111
Vixen Tor 117
Kes Tor 123
Sittaford Tor 129
Devil's Tor 137
Leather Tor 143
Rippon Tor 149
Brat Tor 155
White Tor 161
Fur Tor 167
Watern Tor 175
Belstone Tor 183
High Willhays 191
Glossary 198
Bibliography 200
Index 202
Rights and Responsibilities 207
