All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home

 

Branscombe's Loaf

Branscombe's Loaf is an isolated tor on the northern edge of Corn Ridge that has a curious story attached to it. One day in the 13th century the Bishop of Exeter (Walter Bronescombe) was riding home along the ridge in the mist with his chaplain, when they met a man who offered them a loaf and cheese. As Walter was about to eat the chaplain knocked it away because he had seen the stranger's cloven hoof peeping out from beneath his long cloak. If the bishop had eaten then he would have been in the Devil's power. The loaf and cheese were changed into granite boulders and the Devil disappeared. Despite this medieval story Bransombe's Loaf is a safe place to visit and there are splendid views from here over North Devon, the West Okement valley and Yes Tor.
Park at the village green of Sourton - near the church. Take the track that leads up to Sourton Tors. It goes over the abandoned line of the old Waterloo to Plymouth railway line. Then head right keeping the Tors on your left. The track slowly bears left into the splendid valley of Lake. Carry on the track until you get to a boundary stone and then head due south towards Great Links Tor until you get to the remains (points) of the old Rattlebrook railway. Head off North east along the contours of Corn Ridge. You pass a few small rocky outcrops and then you'll see a cairn with the distinctive tor of Branscombe's Loaf behind. The Yes Tor massif is right in front. Then head back down towards Sourton Tors and back to the car park. 
A straightforward walk with some easy climbs. No wet ground unless you're tempted to go into Corn Ridge. It can quickly get very misty up here. Allow 2 hours.
The military exercises in this area so be careful of flags.

 

The car park at the village green of Sourton.
The view over Sourton and West Devon from the path at SX 540901.
Sourton Tors.
Sourton Tors
The hidden valley of Lake at SX 543895. On the right is Lake Down. On the Horizon is Corn Ridge.
The track alongside Lake.
Looking back over Sourton Tors from the track at SX 544890.
Great Links Tor on the horizon.
A view over Sourton Tors from Corn Ridge at SX 548891.
The distinctive rock of Branscombe's Loaf (SX 553891).
Branscombe's Loaf with High Wilhays on the horizon.
A view of Yes Tor and High Wilhays from Branscombe's Loaf.
Branscombe's Loaf
Looking down over Sourton Tors from Branscombe's Loaf.
A north east view looking towards Meldon Reservoir from Corn Ridge.
The King Way (SX 546897) - an ancient track from Okehampton to Tavistock.
A twilight view of Corn Ridge from Sourton Tors.
One of the Sourton Tors. This is dolerite - not granite - and was intruded along the edge of the granitic mass.
Looking over Sourton Down from Sourton Tors.
 

 


All | Little | Shorter | Standard | Longer | Tors | Relics | History | Links | Panoramas | Home