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Wintry Huntingdon

Huntingdon Warren was set up by Thomas Mitchelmore around 1802. The hill was ideal for creating a rabbit colony. There is also the remains of an farmhouse which was relunctantly relinquished after WW2. Both warren and farmhouse were probably preceded by medieval versions which in their turn were abandoned before the ones we see were established. Going back in time there are a number of Bronze age hut circles and animal pounds scattered over the hillside. At the top of the hill there is an ancient cairn - the Heap of Sinners. So many different peoples have lived on Huntingdon at one time or another. Today it is totally abandoned and only walkers come here.
Park at Cross Furzes (SX 700666) and follow the path of the old Abbot's Way (or Jobber's Path) over Lambs Down, Water Oak Corner and past the Avon Reservoir and make for the old Huntingdon's Cross.  Then turn right and walk up the Western Wella brook. You go past the remains of a tin mine and then come to a bridge which once crossed takes you to Huntingdon Farm. Take the obvious SW path that leads up the hill and next to the rock pile of the Heap of Sinners. Carry along the path and it slopes down to the steep sided Avon valley and the rocks of Broad Falls. Then find the leat at about 420m that circles the southern side of Huntingdon hill. This takes you back to the farm. Then back over the Western Walla bridge and head NE towards Pupers Hill. Finally take the path back to Water Oak corner, Lambs Down and finally Cross Furzes.
A good walk over largely straightforward ground. However, there are some rough bits and poor weather will make your walk uncomfortable. No military ranges nearby. This walk took place in early January when conditions were pretty icy.
Near Cross Furzes at SX 700666. We take the path down on the left. This is the start of the Abbot's Way.
About to cross Brockhill stream and then straight onto the Abbot's Way.
A view over the Avon as it enters the reservoir. Taken from the Abbot's Way at SX 670659.
On the Abbot's way as we approach Huntingdon Cross.
A derelict water wheel pit at SX 665665 - part of the old tin mine of Devon Wheal Vor that closed down in 1815 but reopened for a short while in 1866 as the Huntingdon Mine. This wheel was largely powered by a leat that led off from the River Avon.
A closer look at the wheel pit. This would have powered the nearby ore stone stamps.
A view of the wheel house in the cold mist.
Keble Martin's chapel at SX 667667 near to Huntingdon Warren farm. This was built in the early 20th century by a group of young men led by Keble Martin the famous botanist and sometime vicar of Dartington. 
The Lyd gate track crosses over the Wella Brook by this clapper bridge.
Walking up towards the farm.
The main cairn of a Heap of Sinners (or Huntingdon Barrow) at SX 662669. This odd shaped top was built by a Dartmoor eccentric called MooRoaMan in the 1940's. There are great views from this cairn and it does make a distictive landmark.
A closer view of the Heap of Sinners
A lookout on the west side of Huntingdon Hill. This curious structure was built around 1850 to protect the warren from poachers - particularly those working at Redlake. There's a small chimney which doubtless was used on cold nights.
Broad Falls.
Remains of a tin blowing house (SX 654669) near Broad Falls.
This leat led from the Avon at Broad Falls to the Huntingdon mine. It was used to power the water wheel.
A leat bridge. They were built for the convenience of the warrener.
Another leat bridge.
A view of the partly choked leat.
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 remains of Huntingdon tin mine. The Keble Martin chapel lies to the extreme left of the picture.
This is where the leat enters the grounds of the old Warren House.
Looking over the ruined farmland.
The bridge over the Western Wella brook. Those black marks on the left hillside are the rabbit burrows where the rabbits would have lived.
Looking back at Puper's hill from the path that leads between Puper's Hill and Water Oak corner.
The gate just below Water Oak corner. Returning via Lamb's Down. Sunset is near.
 


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