South Brent Trail No.9 Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Thought it was time we gave something back to Geocaching and is to commemorate our 700th cache. This was one of our favourite walks before we were 'hooked' and so hope you enjoy the series as much as we've enjoyed planning it. Good luck.
It is a circular walk of approx.6 miles and incorporates a series of caches, but the terrain in parts is unsuitable for wheeled access. The walk commences from the disused South Brent Railway Station either parking in the car park or, generally, there is plenty of parking along the road by the old railway buildings. Turn right at the 'T' junction and cross over the railway bridge towards Oakhill Cross.
The caches can obviously be completed in reverse order, but all directions given assume that you are following the caches in numerical order.
The first part of the walk will take you towards Lower Lutton Farm - adjacent to the farm buildings bear right along the footpath. You have to cross a Ford and we have known this to be very muddy at times but adds to the fun. You will join the public right of way which will eventually take you to a tarmac lane alongside Pinewood Lodge. The buildings here were once part of the Didworthy Hospital, a tubercolosis hospital between 1902 and 1968.
From Pinewood Lodge you will drop down the hill which will take you across a lane to the public footpath signed 'Shipley Bridge' - this track will eventually bring you out to the road and Ford at Shipley. From here, you can start counting the "C" stones as you head towards Shipley Bridge. (In 1531 under a declaration by Henry V111 the maintenance of unadopted bridges became the responsibility of councils who had to maintain the fabric of the bridge and its approaches. "C" stones were erected on each side of the bridges to indicate the boundary of their responsibility).
When you reach Shipley Bridge where you will see the ruins of Brent Moor Clay Works which was built on an earlier naptha works. The old drying kilns can be seen near the car park and also interesting remains of the settling pits.
Shipley is a good spot for a picnic and Public Toilets are available - which is a bonus! (NB: FEB 2015) THE PUBLIC TOILETS APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN CLOSED DUE TO FUNDING COSTS - LET'S HOPE THAT THE POSITION IS REVIEWED FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS)!
Once leaving Shipley you will head towards Zeal Cottage. 100 metres later turn right off the road to Diamond Lane and pass through the wooden gate. Why does it have this name, we shall never know. It's a rather uneven track with large boulders to traverse, but it's the route to the higher Moor and so worth the scrabble.
Walk across the side of Brent Fore Hill using the granite enclosure wall on your left as a guide. Soon you will come to the grandiose gateway of Ball Gate. We understand that this gate marks the exit onto the moor from the path of an old manor house located in the valley a couple of miles below.
Leave the open moorland and join the well defined farm track signed South Brent/Aish. Continue for a time passing through several gate - don't follow the signed Bridle Path straight ahead but take the left fork towards the Aish Ridge and then downhill to a farm track leading to South Brent via the picturesque Lydia Bridge (take a note of the sign on the Bridge). Take the stile at Lydia Bridge along the Riverside Trail to complete your circular walk back to South Brent Railway Station or divert to South Brent for refreshments.
NB: Caches placed in accordance with the GAGB Forestry Dartmoor Landowner Agreements.
35mm Film Container
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
FI