Newleycombe Lake

Newleycombe Lake is a stream that feeds into the Burrator Reservoir. It drains a valley that starts near to Nun Cross Farm. In the past there was a lot of tin streaming along its path. To the north lies the Devonport Leat. In summer this is a very pretty area that lies on the edge of the moor. Burrator Reservoir is very popular. The word Lake is a little strange in this context since there is no lake in the valley. The term comes from the old Dartmoor meaning of a pool or tarn from which a stream emerges and this is what this valley would originally have had. Tinning activity (of which there was a lot in this vicinity) got rid of many of these "lakes".

Take the road to Burrator Reservoir and park at the NE car park at Norsworthy Bridge (SX 569693). Start the walk by heading eastwards towards Down Tor. Continue along the hillside in an easterly direction following Newcombe lake as it approaches it's head. Then turn north and meet a path and the Devonport Leat.  Continue along the leat as it curves around Raddick Hill. You'll find the steep descent of the leat down the hillside as it meets the aqueduct over the Meavy. Retrace your steps until you come to a tight loop of the leat. Head south and you'll come to Crazy Well Pool. Continue south and you'll cross a path that takes you back to the car park.

This is a fairly straightforward walk of about 3 hours. There is some rough ground as you head up the valley on the south side. 

This area lies outside the army firing ranges.

	The start of the walk near Norsworthy Bridge. Sharpitor lies on the horizon.
	Approaching Down Tor from the west.
	Looking up towards the catchment valley of Newleycombe Lake. The sheep are surprised to see us since the Foot and Mouth outbreak has restricted access to the moor until today.
	Looking back towards Down Tor (on the left) from SX 585697. Sharpitor lies on the horizon. Part of Newleycombe Lake is on the right.
	Approaching the catchment valley of Newleycombe Lake - SX 590698. The terrain underfoot is a little awkward.
	Near the head of Newleycombe Lake.
	We meet the Devonport Leat at SX 598707. On the right lies the path that leads to Nun's Cross farm.
	The Devonport Leat as it runs down slowly in a westerly direction.
	Evidence of past tin mining and streaming.
	Devonport Leat pouring down the hillside to meet the aqueduct over the Meavy.
	The leat curves around at SX 581707. Crazy Well Pool is not far from here.
	Crazy Well Pool. This is a spring-filled hollow left by tin miners. Legend has it that the pool is bottomless. It is only 16 ft deep.  Down Tor is on the right horizon.
	The path back down towards Norsworthy Bridge and Burrator Resevoir. Sheepstor is in the background.
	Looking towards Burrator Reservoir from SX 580702.
	Looking south towards Combeshead Tor.
	Norsworthy Bridge (SX 568694)