Wheal Betsy on the way to tavistock
Crossing the edge of Dartmoor, this reminder of the Silver, lead and copper mining from the 18th century or earlier, dominates the surrounding industrial heritage site with many signs of the 100s of years of mining.
Southern Marsh Orchid
On its own next to Star when we parked to see the historical building
cox tor
Took Star a little off road. A couple of walkers for scale
star on dartmoor
it isnt always sunny in devon
The start of day2 and we decided to walk into Tavistock. Get very wet and had to buy dry clothes. That'll teach us to be better prepared for walking across the moors.
heath spotted orchid
Found an area slightly wetter and covered in Orchids.
Tavistock is built using multi coloured stones
Tavistock town hall
Built by the Dukes of Bedford, wealth from mining among other industries.
The river tavy running over multiple weirs
Water is taken from this spot to fill the Tavistock canal that starts just to the left. Further up stream we saw a Kingfisher fishing.
the tavistock canal - Otter spotted
The canal was built to carry ore to the port of Morwellham Quay on the river Tamar. The port had been used since the 12th century, with the canal being ready in the early 1800s.
art work
Along the canal are many works of art inspired by local artists and school kids. At first we thought this was a mistake until we saw the reflection. Exquisite.
the simple Beauty of stone construction
The canal slopes away from Tavistock, designed to help boats move the heavy ores and enable many (long gone) water mills along its route.
Lumburn Viaduct akA Shillamill Viaduct
Built late in the 19th century the viaduct carried the railway between Devonport and Lydford across the canal and the River Tavy. The line closed as part of Beeching's inspired cuts in the 1960s but might reopen at some point in the future to rail traffic.
Just for scale
The viaduct is over 100ft high in places.
Lift bridge over the canal
This is a new bridge over the original lock that can be seen just behind. The canal turns sharp left here and heads into a now private tunnel. Running high above the valley floor, the rush of water in the river Lumburn can be heard as it crosses under the canal far below. The water is now used in a hydroelectric power station.
Detail in the canal bank - Otter watch
Where the canal wasn't cut out of the natural bed rock, a bank was created using thousands of these blocks tightly packed together. Early in the walk, a glimpse of an otter's back was caught as it dived away, startled by our footsteps.
Orchids in a group on the moor
The rain returned as we walked back to the van. In the countryside there are no Ubers or even Taxis on a sunday.
view from leonards cove site
A lovely site well situated for views, beaches and buses to Dartmouth.
Dartmouth castle
Another grey day, so we walked from the town out to the castle before taking the boat back into town.
View across the river mouth
The small Kingswear fort is a holiday rental now. To the left is the fortified location where the chain to stop attacking boats was anchored, the other end coming from the main Castle.
flowers on the castle wall
All across Devon we saw these and other flowers growing directly out of the walls, as well as many different types of tiny ferns.
the lookout
The highest point on the castle.
Looking across the Dart to kingswear
So much colour and many many boats.
dartington great hall
An amazing place, with so much going on. Built in the late 14th century.
MEdieval lodgings
The area shown here is now a suite of rooms making up one of the modern lodgings available.
swallows
Throughout the Great hall and Restaurant (in the original kitchens) swallows are allowed to fly freely. Nesting where they can.
common spotted orchid
Found growing wild in the Gardens of Dartington Hall.
looking across the gardens to the hall and chapel
With a bold blue and yellow planting theme throughout these gardens are tranquil yet vibrant.
newbridge over river dart
One of so many distinctive bridges across the Dart built in the 15th century (this one in 1413)
dartmeet
The East river Dart just before it joins with the West river to head onto Dartington and Dartmouth before the Sea. Part of an amazing walk through the Moor before heading up to the hills where mining was so important.
Original Clapper bridge
These simple bridges where laid down in the 13th century to enable pack horse to cross the rivers. This one crosses a tributary to the East Dart.
stepping stones
Great fun ensuring you don't fall in crossing the main river.
High above the dart valley
Looking back on the track followed. Ahead is a small museum to the tin miners in the local area of Brimpts. Worked from the 15th century and probably earlier.
sharp tor
When the sun shines this countryside is quite lovely.
holne ridge
Devon brown cows
original clApper bridge at dartmeet
As we walked past here we caught the first glimpse of a Dipper. Quite rare and on the endangered list.
find the Dipper
There is a rare dipper in the photograph. In the middle. Click on the Dipper to read more about this lovely bird found along the Dart river.
star at totnes site
The site is a minute from the quay for boat trips to Dartmouth, and 5 minutes from the town. Very full of Motorhomes dwarfing Star,
totnes high street
totnes castle
Really just a fortified hill, first using wood, before the Normans upgraded it and then it was rebuilt in the 1320s.
Views from the castle to the Dart and valley as it flows towards the Sea
totnes high street
Dart river from the old bridge
This was the main wharf area on the final port on the Dart, with an island to the right being used for pasture. On the upstream side can be seen an original bridge outline with large trout or even salmon swimming in the clear waters.
No man should expose himself
this is a very large tree
trapped under the old railway bridge that used to link Totnes with Buckfastleigh.
On a trip down the DArt
The rotting hull of a river steamer. The steam engine and other mechanical parts where salvaged and used in another steam cruiser still plying the lower Dart river.
Otter
Further up stream, a dark shape could be seen swimming sinuously underwater, possibly an Otter?
Dart valley
One of many twists and turns in the Dart, often with creeks off to the side, leading to ancient disused ports.
Ancient and modern
The very modern boat house is overshadowed by the viaduct carrying the Kingswear to Paignton steam train. Built in 1864.
dartmouth pride festival
A very good Elton John singer-a-like
Pride crowd
Tudor style building overlooking the town marina
At the station
Kingswear station, waiting for the train to Paignton
the station
A view that hasn't changed much in 100 years
rusty
reclaim me please
Britannia Royal Naval College -dartmouth
Used to train naval cadets from all around the world, the college was opened in 1905, previously hulks (decommissioned ships) where used from the 1860s.
Braveheart
Like so many working steam trains today, 75014 was sent for scrap in the 1960's. Bought and recovered to working state in the 1980's, the engine was renamed due to the filming of Braveheart near to its running location at the time. In 2002 it made it's way to the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company.
watching the engine puff From the observation car
Must be the best way to see the Devon countryside
broadsands beach paignton
Scenes that holiday makers throughout the 1900s would recognise.
paignton station
End of a wonderful days trip, Boat, ferry, Train and then open top bus back to Totnes before heading off to our last stop of the holiday.
View from river Dart country park
A little sun appears at the end of our stay in Devon. The park is the largest we have stayed at so far and so much more lively than those before. Kids everywhere.
the river dart near holne bridge
Walking around the vast grounds, we saw a couple of grey wagtails. This view is just outside the park next to another medieval bridge over the Dart.
Last day and very low cloud over the hills
On Saturday the park was full, by Monday we were almost alone!
Wimborne minster model village
A stop off for lunch at a delightful location in a lovely town. The sun came out, temperatures started to climb (Devon had been around 21,22, by the time we got home it was 32.
June 2025. Our first longer trip in Star. 9 nights (well 8 as 1 was spent in the amazing Dartington Hall).
While most of England sweltered in the hottest days of the year at 30+ Deg C, Devon started sunny and then got cold, wet, windy, foggy and cloudy.
Staying at 4 different sites, starting in Tavistock on the west of Dartmoor, before moving down to Stoke Fleming outside of Dartmouth, on to Dartington, Totnes and finishing up at Ashburton. Each site had it's pro's and con's but all met with all our needs. Dartmoor in the sun is a beautiful place. In the rain not so much. We will be back!
Each site was picked to enable walking and / or site seeing. What we hadn't planned for was a mass of NATURE: Orchids, birds, moths and probably Otters!
