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Brown's HouseBrown's House is a disappointment. The ruins of the farmhouse that was built here in 1812 are quite unprepossessing. However, the views and general situation are superb and are well worth the effort of getting here. Brown's House lies on the edge of the West Dart as it tumbles down from its headwaters. Brown's House has attracted a somewhat shabby Dartmoor legend involving an ugly man, a pretty wife and an isolated house. The truth is that Dr Brown wished to enclose some Dartmoor land for improvement in 1810 and was a little premature in building his house before being granted a lease by an aloof Duchy. Consequently his rent was fixed rather high and so he sold out within a year. Subsequent owners found it increasingly difficult to continue, so by 1830 it was abandoned.We started from the Two Bridges car park (SX 609750). A northerly path leads up past Cockern farm onto the moor towards the impressive pyramid of Longaford Tor. Carry on to Higher and Lower White Tors. At Lower White Tor the wilderness of Northern Dartmoor beckons. It is a short walk from here over some boggy ground to the ruins of Brown's House. Then head west over the West Dart to Rough Tor where there are some good views over the moor. The ground towards Crow Tor is a bit wet and in bad weather would be troublesome. At Crow Tor head down to the West Dart and follow it until you reach the weir of the start of Devonport leat. Carry along the leat and scramble down the rough slope for Wistman's Wood. After crossing the stream there is more rough ground until you reach the path that leads back to Crockern Farm and the car park.This is a good walk in nice weather. It is about 8 miles long - some of the ground is quite rough and wet. Allow about 4 hours at a reasonable pace. There are plenty of good views over all parts of the moor as you get onto the high ground. The walk starts off quite gently along an easily walked ridge but soon takes you into a remote part of Dartmoor - almost without realising it. Be careful of changing weather. This is exactly the kind of place that you will have problems if you're not prepared.Some of the walk lies in the army firing range.
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