Cranmere Pool

Cranmere Pool is famous for being the first place on Dartmoor to have a letterbox. This was done by James Perrott of Chagford in 1854. In those days Cranmere was not an easy place to get to. To get to the letterbox proved that you had met the challenge of coping with the remote and inhospitable terrain of North Dartmoor. Today it is easily approached by means of the military road. Although easy, it is still worth doing. The scenery is superb and Cranmere Pool is near to the watershed of three of Devon's main rivers - the Dart, the Taw and the Okement. 

Approach the Observation Post 15 (SX 603878) by the military road from Okehampton Camp. Park, take a southerly bearing and head down the rough path. Shortly before the track swings around to the NE take a track towards the small pool of Ockerton Court. From the pool head south towards the West Okement River. This is a wet place. Follow this up to the source and you are at Cranmere Pool. Then head due east towards Hangingstone Hill. You'll cross the ridge that divides the watersheads of the Taw and the East Dart. Even in dry July weather this is an impressive place. In a wet November gale it would be extremely impressive. From Hangingstone you can plan whatever route you like. We went to Steeperton Tor following an easy path.

This can be a straightforward walk of about 3 - 5 miles depending on your route. But it may be challenging. Much depends on the weather. In July - it is easy, in January - not so easy. Depending on your pace allow about 3- 4 hours - there's a lot to see. A map and compass must be taken. In misty weather you're on your own. We did it on a lovely July afternoon. 

This area lies in the army firing range, so it can't be done if a red flag is flying nearby.

	Looking back from the track at Observation Post 15 - SX 603878.
	Ockerton Court Pool - SX 603869.
	The terrain between Ockerton Court Pool and Cranmere. In the winter this will be a wet and exposed place.
	Rollo stuck in a peat channel. Even in July you need to keep a careful lookout for these channels. They are hidden and quite deep.
	The upper reaches of West Okement Head. Cranmere Pool is just round the corner.
	Cranmere Pool - SX 603858. Just a depression in the peat - probably drained in the early 19th century. Cranmere is probably named after a bird - either crows or cranes (ie. herons).
	Cranmere Pool letterbox. Rollo is delighted to have got here.
	On the boggy way between Cranmere Pool and Hangingstone Hill. In July there are lots of colourful small flowers. Sundew is common as is bog cotton.
	Looking down over the Upper East Dart valley. This is a very isolated and quiet place. Upland blanket bog is all around and is the sponge that feeds many of Devon's rivers.
	Looking towards Hangingstone Hill from Taw Head. This is the watershed of the Taw and the East Dart. On the left is the slope down which the beginning of the Taw flows.
	The easterly view from Hanginstone Hill.
	Looking down the Upper Taw valley from the NW side of Hangingstone Hill. The rock in the middle distance is Hangingstone Rock.
	Hangingstone Rock - SX 616862.
	The track leading towards Oke Tor - SX 614870.
	Steeperton Tor - SX 618888.
	The northerly view over Taw Marsh from Steeperton Tor. On the left lies the mass of Belstone Tor. On the right is Metheral Hill. The picture hardly does justice to the superb view.
	The SE view from Steeperton Tor.
	The Taw stream leading down towards Steeperton Gorge - SX 615886. This is a lovely secluded valley.