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Becka Brook

The Becka Brook is possibly one of the better known Dartmoor streams. It starts in an unprepossessing boggy area near the Widecombe to Haytor road but quickly forms itself into a delightfully pretty stream along its comparatively short length. Some of the brook lies in private land. The walk describes the upper part of the Becka Brook.
Park at the popular car park (SX 739792) at Swallerton Gate. Head SE towards Great Hound Tor and follow the path to the medieval village. Carry on the path, skirt past Greator Rocks and carry on down the valley slope towards the Becka Brook. Cross over the clapper bridge. You can carry on downstream for a short while until you get to the private land boundary of Leighon. Retrace your steps and when you get back to the clapper you can take the obvious path that takes you up the hillside to Smallacombe Rocks. This walk took a more awkward route that takes you nearer the stream but over some rough ground in places. Walk upstream for about a kilometre and you'll find a place where you can cross the stream and walk up to Holwell Lawn and thence back to Houndtor.
This walk is a straightforward one in that you cannot really get lost in mist or get stuck in a bog. However, some of the ground is rough so good footwear is advisable. No military areas in the area.

 

 
We are on the NE slope of Hound Tor at SX 746790. This view looks over towards Greator Rocks. The Becka valley lies behind the rocks.
The track that leads down towards the Becka Brook at SX 749788. On the horizon is part of Haytor Down.
The Becka Brook stream at SX 752789. The name Becka was first recorded in 1797 as the slightly twee 'Little River Becky' and might be associated with Beckaford Farm or Bridge.
A small and mossy rivulet that flows into the Becka Brook
The path alongside the Becka Brook
Bridge over the Becka Book SX 752788
Difficult woodland to walk through near Becka Dams.
The Becka Dams at SX 751784. The Dams are masked by woodland. Not easy to get to the shoreline of the Dams. The Dams were built to make a fishpond.
Wet and rough ground south of the Becka Dams.
More rough ground around Becka brook. Holwell Tor on the skyline
Looking up at the rocks of Holwell Tor. This tor was part of the Hay Tor quarries of Victorian times.
A convenient bridge over the Becka Brook.
The Becka Brook at SX 748779. This part of the river is very pretty and makes for a good place to stop and have a small picnic.
Holwell Tor from the Becka Brook.
Part of the horse racetrack of Holwell Lawn. This is one of the jumps. You can just see the distinctive shape of Hay Tor behind the hillside rocks of Holwell Tor.
Greator Rocks from SX 746785.
Looking over eastwards towards Black Hill from Greator. You can see the trees that line the Becka brook in the valley.
View from Greator.
The east view from Hound Tor. We're looking at Great Tor Rocks with the distinctive rocks of Hey Tor on the horizon.
Hound Tor - SX 743790. One writer (baring-Gould) has likened the blocks of this tor to be like "the heads of dogs peering over the natural battlements".
One of the impressive blocks of Hound Tor.
 


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