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Crazywell Pool

Crazywell Pool is one of those Dartmoor places that has attracted a lot of tall stories. These include that the water level rises and falls with the tide, that at midnight on Midsummer Eve then you'll see the face of the next person in the parish to die, that the pool is deeper than all the bellropes of Walkhampton tied together - and so on. However, it is a slightly strange place to visit and the water level of the pool (which is rather shallow) is maintained winter or summer by an underground spring. The pool probably results from medieval tin working.
Take the road to Burrator Reservoir and park at the NE car park at Norsworthy Bridge (SX 569693). Head northwards over the bridge and follow the forest path that runs alongside the Meavy, past Leather Tor bridge and finally out of the plantation. Cross over the river and walk along the Devonport leat. Follow the leat over the aqueduct and up Raddick Hill. Then follow the leat path for a mile or so and then just after a sharp bend in the leat bear off to the south and you should shortly see Crazywell Pool. Then take the path down via the nearby cross and head back to Norsworthy on the track.
This is a reasonable walk with a bit of climbing to do but no real wet ground. Although you're not far fromcivilisation you are still subject to the moods of the moor so a map and compass is important. The nearby Cramber tor does have military exercises but these do not interfere or restrict walkers.
 
The car park just over the other side of Norsworthy Bridge.
The Norsworthy bridge at SX 568694
Leather Tor bridge at SX 569699. This was built in 1833 by 2 men, a horse and sled and all for under 30 pounds (High Dartmoor - Eric Hemery).
Underneath all that moss there's the ruins of an old farm longhouse. This would be Riddipit farmhouse. SX 570701. Riddipit may derive from rushes or reeds - in 1611 the name was written down as Reedapit.
A path leading through the Raddick Plantation. Like most Dartmoor plantations there is a lot of hardwood in here.
A sort of bridge over the Meavy at SX 572710
Walking beside the Devonport leat. The little bridge is there for the convenience of sheep.
Water from the Meavy is added into the Devonport Leat. The aqueduct lies ahead.
Walking over the aqueduct that carries the leat over the Meavy. SX 573714 You can see the leat water snaking down the steep hillside of Raddick Hill.
Beside the leat as it hurtles down Raddick Hill. The aqueduct over the Meavy lies below.
Nearly at the top of the hillside from where the Devonport leat travels down. SX 575713
Walking alongside the Devonport leat on top of Raddick Hill
The bend in the leat at SX 581707
Crazywell Pool at SX 583705. Source of many fanciful stories. In reality a shallow pool dug out by medieval tinners. Covers about an acre.
Crazywell Cross at SX 584704. This is a medieval cross that has been rehoused onto a more modern base. It's original position was nearby but is unknown. Would originally have been one of the Abbot's Way crosses that mark the moor crossing between Buckfast and Tavistock.
The track leading back down towrds Norsworthy Bridge. SX 581702
Part of an old stone wall with the solhouette of Down Tor on the horizon.
Remains of a ruined building beside the trackway. SX 574700
 


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