Huntingdon Warren

Huntingdon Warren (SX 665669) gives a convenient focus to walk on an isolated part of south Dartmoor that has plenty of contrast. Huntingdon was one of the rabbit warrens that used to be an important Dartmoor industry. From medieval times rabbits were bred for food (initially probably for tinners) within an enclosed area of moorland. Each warren would have an associated farm for the warrener as well as the specially built rabbit housing (or buries). Today all the warrens are deserted. The extensive warren of Huntingdon was established in the 19th century and continued for nearly 100 years. The farm was inhabited until quite recently. It would have been a lonely place to be.

Park at Shipley Bridge (SX 681629) 3 miles north of the town of South Brent. From here there is a road to the Avon Dam which follows the Avon river. Follow this road for a short distance and at the Hunter's Stone take the road up to the filtration plant. After a short climb, you can then follow the track of the old Zeal Tor tramway which takes you up on the westerly side of Brent Moor towards Red Lake. Carry on until you get to the obvious cairn of the Western White barrow  - Petre's Cross (SX 664654). Admire the views from here. Then carry on north to Crossways where you'll join the path of the tramway which takes you to Red Lake. From here we walked NE until we crossed over the Avon and then took the north and east circuit around Huntingdon Hill towards the warren and the ford at Huntingdon Cross. The Abbot's Way then took us to the Avon Dam from where Shipley Bridge was easily reached.

The walk is under 10 miles and isn't a difficult one apart from some awkward wet ground around Red Lake and Ryder's Mire. However, the open moorland has its hazards so the obvious precautions are essential. The last mile or so is easy walking.

	The car park at Shipley Bridge (SX 681629). The structure is the remains of the 19th century naptha works subsequently used as a clay settling plant.
	South view over Brent Tor from the Zeal Tor tramway.
	Another south view from further on up the tramway.
	A SW view over Quickbeam Hill. Plymouth lies in the distance .
	A boundary post (SX 654653) about 100 yds south of Western White Barrow.
	Looking eastwards towards Eastern White Barrow from the Western Barrow.
	Looking towards the next stage of our walk. View taken from Western White Barrow with the spoil heap of Red Lake in the distance.
	Red Lake from Crossways.
	Walking along the Puffing Billy track towards Red Lake.
	The main flooded clay pit at Red Lake (SX 646669).
	The west view from the top of Red Lake. In the far distance lies Erme Head whereas on the left horizon is Stingers Hill.
	The east view from Red Lake. You can see the Avon reservoir in the distance, with Huntingdon Hill on the left horizon. The warren lies on the other side of the hill.
	Looking back at the Red Lake pyramid.
	Snowdon ahead with the upper Avon valley in the midground. On the right in the valley bottom lies the wetness that is Ryder's mire.
	Naker's Hill on the horizon with part of Fishlake Mire just to the left of the Avon river gorge. North view from SX 650675
	The north view from Ryder's mire (SX 653673). The featureless Naker's hill is straight ahead.
	Climbing up the north side of Huntingdon Hill.
	A view over the upper Avon valley from SX 661677.
	The Western Wella brook. Straight ahead on the horizon is the summit of Puper's Hill.
	On the path to the Warren Farm. Straight ahead are the low specially constructed mounds of some of the buries within which the rabbits lived. On the OS map these are termed Pillow Mounds.
	The remains of Huntingdon Warren Farm - SX 665669. It was last inhabited in 1956, but subsequent fire by a bunch of enthusiastic cadets soon sealed its fate and it was demolished in 1961.
	Looking down the Western Wella brook from the side of Huntingdon Hill. On the skyline is the sentinel mound of Eastern Whitebarrow, while in the mid distance lies the barely perceptible remains of Huntingdon tin mine. We are heading towards the Keble Martin chapel which lies to the extreme left of the picture.
	Huntingdon Cross which is beside the Avon on the Abbot's Path at SX 664662. The cross is a boundary marker and was set up in the 16th century by the Petre family of Brent Manor to determine the extent of their new estate that came into their hands after Buckfast Abbey had suffered dissolution.
	Walking along the Abbot's path towards the Avon reservoir.
	A view over the Avon from the Abbot's Way as the stream begins to collect into the Avon reservoir.
	Looking south over the Avon Reservoir from SX 675657 (Dean Moor). Remains of a hut circle in the foreground.
	The Avon Dam from Smallbrook Plains.
	The road that leads back to the Dam.
	All that remains of Brentmoor House (SX 683635) which was the hub of a large 19th century estate alongside the Avon. It was demolished in 1968 and there is little left. The photo shows the garden entrance, but part of the house would have been where the dark foliage is on the left hand side of the photo.
	A poignant memorial to young Margaret Meynell who died after a riding incident in 1865. The stone is now hidden under the foliage.
	The Avon hurtling towards the waterfalls beside Shipley Bridge.