Fox Tor

Fox Tor (SX 626698) is a dimunitive tor with good views over a large and famous Dartmoor mire. Large because Fox Tor mire is an extensive bog. Famous because it was the place that probably inspired Conan Doyle to write about the Hound of the Baskervilles. The mire is a wet and atmospheric place. Fox Tor is a good starting place for exploring the featureless parts of the southern moor.

Approach from the southern road out from Princetown. Just before the road turns to Whiteworks there is a handy car park (SX 603708). Head southwards along an easy track to Nun's Cross Farm. Then head off along the old Jobber's track which takes you up to Cater's Beam and the edge of the southern wilderness.  Then head northwards along a track which takes you to Fox Tor. Descend towards the mire and then follow the newtake westwards until you hit the Devonport Leat. Follow the leat back to the Princetown-Whiteworks road.

This is a 4 mile walk that skirts around the southern edge of the Mire. There are good views along the walk. There is wet ground around Cater's Beam and Fox Tor Gert. It isn't an easy walk.

	The start of the walk near the car park (SX 603708). In the background lies the misty hills of the southern moor with Fox Tor Mire in between.
	Heading down to Nun's Cross farm.
	Siward or Nun's Cross with the farmhouse behind. The cross represents a boundary marker between the 13th century properties of Buckland Abbey and the Forest of Dartmoor which belonged to the Crown. It was vandalised and repaired in 1846. Within two years it was re-erected and strengthened with iron rods which are still visible. Crane Hill is on the horizon.
	A north facing view of Nun's Cross with the path leading back towards Princetown. The western face bears the inscription BOCLOND in two lines below an incised cross at the junction of the arms. This inscription probably refers to Buckland Abbey, on whose side of the stone it is inscribed. The word SIWARD is incised into the eastern face of the cross, and it is considered that this may be recording that this stone once also formed an 11th century boundary marker for land belonging to Siward, Earl of Northumberland.
	Nun's Cross Farm (SX606698). The original farm was built in 1870 and was really little more than a two room, single story hovel. It lay to the right (in this view) of the present building which was built in 1901 and which is now used as an outdoor training centre. Little remains of the original farmhouse which was allowed to decay over the last twenty or so years.
	The footpath over the Devonport Leat that leads towards Crane Hill.
	Looking back over Fox Tor mire from SX 616695.
	The easterly view towards Fox Tor from SX 620692.
	Looking south easterly towards the Black Lane post. This is the start of the featureless expanse of the south Dartmoor wilderness.
	The old post at the start of Black Lane (SX 627690). It's a railway sleeper and the words Cater's Beam are scratched onto it.
	Looking southwards over the Blacklane Mire from near the Black Lane post.
	Coming down Black Lane towards Fox Tor Gert. There are old tin workings around here (SX 627695).
	Fox Tor Gert. This isn't the easiest valley to cross since there's a small mire in there. We walked around it.
	Fox Tor (SX 626698).
	A misty view over part of Fox Tor mire from Fox Tor.
	The view over Fox Tor mire with Childe's Tomb in the middle distance.
	Childe's Tomb (SX 626703). There is a rather silly legend associated with this place. Horse carcasses, burial, storms and monks are all involved.
	Childe's Tomb. The cross is medieval and maybe earlier. The cairn is probably Bronze Age.
	Crossing over one of the streams that feeds into Fox Tor mire.
	View from another stream draining into Fox Tor mire (SX 611699)