Dartmoor Photowalk 24 Bellever & Laughter Tors

Dartmoor Photowalk 24 Bellever & Laughter Tors

This week I went over to Bellever Forrest area to look at Bellever and Laughter Tors I also wanted to look around Laughter Hole Farm and the Stepping Stones on the East Dart River just below Laughter Hole House (a well kept but private property).

Bellever Tor.




Laughter Tor.




The walk started from the Car Park in Bellever Forest and took me out through the tiny Hamlet of Bellever.







It wasn’t long before the road turned to a track,




then a very rocky track,




which eventually opened out onto the Moor,




at the foot of Bellever Tor.




As I walked up the side of the Tor I noticed a rather grand tree amongst the rocks.




A short walk saw me on top of the Tor, this Tor has 360 degree views of Dartmoor, it is actually quite central on the Moor.







It is quite a distinctive Tor with a Trig Point.




The top has several pronounced rock formations that clearly show the layering from when the Tor was formed.




After Bellever Tor I headed for Laughter Tor. This Tor is less spectacular but has some interesting artefacts such as this old Sheep Pound.










I had lunch on Laughter Tor before setting off to find Laughter Hole Farm and the Stepping Stones across the East Dart River. I followed a Bridleway back to a gate at the edge of the Forest.




I went through the gate and followed the Bridleway until it got to another gate, I could see Laughter Hole Farm from that gate but I needed to go back on myself to find the Stepping Stones.




I followed a track through the Forest down to the river, it took me past the Laughter Hole House (a private residence).




Eventually through one last gate,




I found the Stepping Stones.




After the Stepping Stones I retraced my route back up to Laughter Hole Farm which is now almost derelict.







From here it was a straight hike back to the Car Park along a well maintained track through the Nature Reserve which had been created to promote Biodiversity.







Once back at the Car Park I realised it was much more interesting than just a Car Park, there are Picnic Areas set aside and maintained plus it has access to the East Dart River, it was difficult to find a shot of the river without people or dogs in it.




There was also the evidence of long past storms.




That’s all for this week folks, as always, comments welcome.

Tags: Landscape and travel Dartmoor Photowalk Bellever and Laughter Tors Laughter Hole Farm Dartmoor