Golden Dagger Tin Mine

Just south of Bennet's Cross, which lies next to the Princetown - Moretonhampstead road, are the remains of two of the most productive Dartmoor mines - Vitifer and Golden Dagger. This area has been almost continuously mined since medieval times and the results of all this activity can still be seen by the large deep excavations (or gerts) that scar the hillsides around. At first miners would have streamed the tin rich stream of the Redwater, but as this began to yield less tin then they resorted to digging and then creating mine pits. Vitifer and Golden Dagger were the last mines and were worked on or off until the 20th century. A couple of deep shafts (400 ft) provided access to the underground workings in which up to 100 miners worked in hard conditions. The nearby Warren House Inn was their public house and the warren provided them  with rabbit meat. There are surprisingly few remains left of this important mining area. Nothing of the railtracks that transported the ore from the mines or of the wheels that drove the machinery. The exotic name of Golden Dagger may derive from a bronze dagger that was found many years before in a nearby cairn. 

Park at the roadside car park by Bennet's Cross (SX 680816) and take the southwards track that leads down the valley through the overgrown remains of Vitifer mine. It may be difficult to picture the mines in the beautifully overgrown valley floor. Carry on until you approach Soussons wood. Pass through the gate and take the left track. You walk past the remains of Golden Dagger. Then head on along the track that skirts around Challacombe Down and leads to the farm. Go past the medieval ruins and take the Headland track that leads north back to the warren. Once past the Warren house head west alongside the gerts. You end back at Vitifer mine. 

This is an easy and popular walk since it easy to get to and is well tracked. Allow about 2 - 3 hours. No boggy ground although it is always wet around Golden Dagger.

	Bennet's Cross amidst a mass of Dartmoor heathland. The stone was probably a medieval way marker that was then used as a convenient boundary marker for the warren.
	The track heading south away from Bennet's Cross down to the Redwater valley. On the horizon is Birch Tor.
	The overgrown remains of some of the old tin workings. Down below the trees lies the deep wheel pit of Vitifer mine.
	Some of the remains of Vitifer mine (SX 682810). Birch Tor on the horizon.
	Another view of the site of Vitifer tinworks. Redwater bridge crosses the stream. There used to be a chimney stack here.
	One of the few ruins of the Vitifer works.
	The beginnings of Golden Dagger complex at SX 683803. The ruins are those of the Miner's dry. A bit ironic seeing how wet it is around here.
	The ruins of Dinah's house at SX 685800. This was a meeting place for the miners and contained a dormitory, offices and a garage.
	The remains of the engine house of Golden Dagger mine. This was working in the 1930's.
	The circular buddle of Golden Dagger - SX 685799. Buddles washed the tin ore by means of rotating brushes that led off from the central dome. The heaviest tin particles sank to the bottom.
	Another view of the buddle.
	Looking up the Redwater valley from SX 687796. The site of Golden Dagger mine lies in the middle distance. On the left are the conifers of Soussons.
	The south west view from Challacombe Down over Soussons.
	Approaching Challacombe Farm - SX 694795. This place dates back to Domesday and before.
	Some of the remains of the medieval village of Challacombe. These were probably vacated during the plague of 1348.
	The Headland track that leads up to the Warren House farm.
	The east view from Headland Warren looking over the farm. Hookney Tor is on the left horizon, Hameldon on the right.
	Walking alongside one of the great gerts that cross Headland warren at SX 689810. Soussons forest lies in the background.