73-610: Meldon Quarry is a granite quarry in Devon, England. It is at the northern edge of Dartmoor , about 2 miles SW of Okehampton . It was developed from 1897 to supply track ballast and other stone products for the London and South Western Railway (LSWR). It was privatised in 1994. A small quarry was started to supply local railway requirements in 1874, concurrent with the opening of the LSWR's railway extension from Okehampton to Lydford, on which
146-514: A more complete list see List of Dartmoor tors and hills . The high ground of Dartmoor forms the catchment area for many of Devon's rivers. As well as shaping the landscape, these have traditionally provided a source of power for moor industries such as tin mining and quarrying. The moor takes its name from the River Dart , which starts as the East Dart and West Dart and then becomes
219-595: A mortar shell near Cranmere Pool . Since the 1960s there has been much less military damage and litter mainly as a result of the DPA's campaigning. Following the 1973 Defence Lands’ Review conducted by Lord Nugent , the Ministry of Defence 's land holdings were further reduced to the current area of 32,559 acres. Along with this, most of the additional temporary buildings in Okehampton and Willsworthy Camps were removed,
292-609: A mysterious pack of " spectral hounds ", and a large black dog , among others. During the Great Thunderstorm of 1638, the moorland village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor was said to have been visited by the Devil . Dartmoor Training Area The Dartmoor Training Area ( DTA ) is a military training area on Dartmoor in Devon in southwest England. The area consists of approximately 13,000 hectares (50 square miles) in
365-658: A number do not. However, this does not appear to relate to whether or not there is an outcrop of rock on their summit. The tors are the focus of an annual event known as the Ten Tors Challenge , when around 2,400 people aged between 14 and 19 walk for distances of 56, 72 or 88 km (35, 45 or 55 mi) between ten tors on many differing routes. The highest points on Dartmoor are on the northern moor: High Willhays , 621 m (2,037 ft), ( grid reference SX 580892 ) and Yes Tor , 619 m (2,031 ft), ( grid reference SX 581901 ). The highest points on
438-477: A number of migrant species, like the pied flycatcher , the wood warbler or the common redstart . Mammals found here include otters, hazel dormice and nearly all of the UK's 16 bat species. Three rare species: the barbastelle , and the greater and lesser horseshoe bats are of particular importance. The upper reaches of the rivers are spawning grounds for Salmon and trout ; Palmate newts , frogs and toads breed in
511-472: A person's feet. Quakers result from sphagnum moss growing over the water that accumulates in the hollows in the granite. The vegetation of the bogs depends on the type and location. Blanket bog , which forms on the highest land where the rainfall exceeds 2,000 millimetres (79 in) a year, consists mainly of cotton-grass ( Eriophorum species), sedges ( Carex and Rhynchospora ), Bog Asphodel and Common Tormentil , with Sphagnum thriving in
584-918: A single river at Dartmeet . It leaves the moor at Buckfastleigh , flowing through Totnes below where it opens up into a long ria , reaching the sea at Dartmouth . Other rivers flowing from Dartmoor include the Teign , the Taw , the Tavy , the Avon , and the Lyd . Some of the rivers in Dartmoor have been dammed to create reservoirs for drinking water , including the River Avon and the South Teign River (Fernworthy Reservoir). Much more rain falls on Dartmoor than in
657-437: A species found nowhere else in the world. The South West Peatland Project aims to restore around 300 hectares of Dartmoor's peatland through collaboration with Dartmoor National Park . Preserving these peatlands will help mitigate climate change through sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. More generally, Dartmoor aims to be carbon negative by 2045. The majority of the prehistoric remains on Dartmoor date back to
730-493: A staff passenger platform was provided. It is described at Meldon Quarry railway station . Positioning and marshalling of a large flow of mineral wagons was achieved by horse power at first, but in 1927 a Manning Wardle 0-4-0ST locomotive was provided. It had been built for the South Eastern Railway in 1881 and had worked at Folkestone Harbour. It was numbered 313 but became service locomotive 225S at Medlon. It
803-419: Is associated with the Dartmoor pluton as with other such plutons . Measurement of the anomaly has helped to determine the likely shape and extent of the rock mass at depth. Dartmoor is known for its tors – hills topped with outcrops of bedrock, which in granite country such as this are usually rounded boulder-like formations. More than 160 of the hills of Dartmoor have the word tor in their name but quite
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#1732790591827876-524: Is at least five times as frequent. On the highest ground, in the north of the moor, the growing season is less than 175 days – this contrasts with some 300 days along most of the south coast of the county. Rainfall tends to be associated with Atlantic depressions or with convection. In summer, convection caused by solar surface heating sometimes forms shower clouds and a large proportion of rainfall comes from showers and thunderstorms at this time of year. The wettest months are November and December and on
949-430: Is believed that they would have had a conical roof, supported by timbers and covered in turf or thatch. There are also numerous kistvaens , Neolithic stone box-like tombs. The climate became wetter and cooler over the course of a thousand years from around 1000 BC, resulting in much of high Dartmoor being largely abandoned by its early inhabitants. The earliest surviving farms, still in operation today, are known as
1022-694: Is carried out on the ranges by the Royal Navy , Royal Marines , British Army , and Royal Air Force . The area is supported by two training camps, one at Okehampton and the other at Willsworthy, and there are three established firing ranges at Okehampton, Willsworthy and Merrivale. The area taken up with live firing ranges is 9,187 hectares (22,700 acres) and they are used on average 120 days each year. They are used for small arms, mortars and artillery smoke and illuminating shells. Live firing times are published 6 weeks in advance. The current leases run for many years, with Cramber Tor most recently being granted
1095-467: Is granted extensive land access rights on Dartmoor (including restricted access to the firing ranges) and it is a popular tourist destination. Dartmoor includes the largest area of granite in Britain, with about 625 km (241 sq mi) at the surface, though most of it is under superficial peat deposits. The granite (or more specifically adamellite ) was intruded at depth as a pluton into
1168-603: Is possibly a surviving fragment from the earliest Neolithic woodland clearances. It is home to exceptional epiphytic mosses, liverworts and lichens. Nearly 50 species of moss and liverwort are found in the wood along with 120 types of lichen , including Smith's horsehair lichen, speckled sea-storm lichen and pendulous wing-moss. Over 60 species of lichens grow on the exposed surfaces of the granite tors, including granite-speck rim-lichen, purple rock lichen, brown cobblestone lichen and goldspot lichen and many rare lichen grow on rocks exposed by mining that are rich in heavy metals . On
1241-450: Is remote from many sources of light pollution . However, in recent years, LED street lights have caused more light pollution to be spread onto Dartmoor. Along with the rest of South West England , Dartmoor has a temperate climate , which is generally wetter and milder than locations at similar height in the rest of England. At Princetown , near the centre of the moor at a height of 453 metres (1,486 ft), January and February are
1314-503: The Ancient Tenements . Most of these date back to the 14th century, and some even earlier. It was not until the early Mediaeval period that the weather again became warmer, and settlers moved back onto the moors. Like their ancient predecessors, they used the natural granite to build their homes, preferring a style known as the longhouse ; some of theses are still inhabited today, although they have been clearly adapted over
1387-596: The Crimean War . In addition, the local Militia also kept in a high state of readiness, training on Dartmoor, often at Haytor . In 1869, a new type of artillery munition developed by Henry Shrapnel was tested near Postbridge. Four years later, a major exercise was held by the First and Second Divisions, involving over 12,000 men and 2,100 horses, in the Ringmoor, Roborough and Yennadon Downs area. Rainstorms caused
1460-483: The Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 much of it has been designated as access land , which, although it remains privately owned, has no restrictions on where walkers can roam. In addition to this access land, there are about 730 km (450 mi) of public rights of way on Dartmoor, and many kilometres of permitted footpaths and bridleways where the owners allow access. Because of the 1985 Act, Dartmoor
1533-427: The marsh fritillary butterfly, southern damselfly, narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth and bog hoverfly . Areas of bracken are home to the high brown fritillary and pearl-bordered fritillary . Insects found in the heathlands include the emperor moth , green hairstreak and the bilberry bumblebee . The old oak woodlands have a distinctive group of insects including the blue ground beetle and Heckford's pygmy moth ,
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#17327905918271606-479: The moors topped with granite tors are the most iconic part of Dartmoor's landscape, only about half of Dartmoor is actually moorland. Equally important for wildlife are the blanket bogs , upland heaths and the oak woodlands, which are all of global importance. Dartmoor is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) with four habitats ( Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix ; European dry heaths ; Blanket bog s and Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in
1679-681: The 1930s training and building at Okehampton intensified. Among others, two decontamination centers were built (plus one in Castle Road, Okehampton) to deal with poison gas. As war with Germany became likelier, Territorial Army units were mobilized and the Devonshire Yeomanry finalized their training here. After the start of the Second World War , almost the whole moor was requisitioned for military training. Another area of 11,000 acres south and south east of Hexworthy
1752-458: The 1980s it proved commercially viable to bring good quality stone from Scotland by coastal shipping to Tilbury, substituting for some of the Meldon output. As part of the process of privatising British Rail, the quarry operation was sold to ECC Quarries Ltd on 4 March 1994; at that time the railway from Coleford Junction only served the quarry, and it was sold too. Because of the remote location,
1825-464: The British Isles ) being listed as primary reasons for the selection of Dartmoor as a SAC. In addition the area has a population of the southern damselfly , which is also a primary reason for its selection along with populations of Atlantic salmon and otter being qualifying reasons. Wistman's Wood is one of the old sessile oak woods that contribute to the listing of Dartmoor as a SAC and
1898-475: The Dartmoor National Park. The British army has been using Dartmoor for training purposes since around 1800. After the opening of HMP Dartmoor in 1809, the battalion of soldiers guarding the around 5,000 prisoners there began practising musketry at a firing range at Hart Tor. Over the next decades, troops stationed around Plymouth trained in the area, notably in 1853 before and during
1971-497: The East Okement and Taw Rivers lasted for three weeks. Flags identifying the affected areas were flown on Halstock Hill. Over the next years the number of field and horse artillery that came to the area steadily increased until training went on throughout the summer months. The Okehampton railway line established in 1871 facilitated access to the area. In the 1890s, a military stop was built just below Okehampton Camp. Although
2044-524: The MoD does not notify the public of this in advance. Some "challenge" and charitable events take place with assistance of the military on Dartmoor, including the long established Ten Tors event and the more recent Dartmoor Beast. The disused Rippon Tor Rifle Range was built to train soldiers during the Second World War, and remained in use until its closure in 1977. Throughout human history,
2117-537: The National Park are Ashburton (the largest, with a population of about 3,500), Buckfastleigh , Moretonhampstead , Princetown , Yelverton , Horrabridge , South Brent , Christow , and Chagford . For a full list, expand the Settlements of Dartmoor navigational box at the bottom of this page. Dartmoor is known for its myths and legends. It is reputedly the haunt of pixies , a headless horseman ,
2190-488: The Okehampton Park Estate. Okehampton Artillery Practice Camp was built in 1892–4 at a cost of £13,469. Likely following the plan of the tented camp, the officer quarters were located on the high ground to the south. The stables could house up to 760 horses. The officers' stables still exist today and are used as troop accommodations. A guard house was built, not controlling access to the camp but overlooking
2263-683: The Royal Artillery remained an important user of the facilities after the war the Royal Marines and especially their training centre at Lympstone became heavy users of the area around Merivale (a facility run by the Royal Navy). Mons and Eaton Hall Officer Cadet Training Units set up battle schools at Okehampton Camp. Units, including some tanks, mobilised for the Suez Crisis in 1956 trained on Dartmoor, operating briefly in
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2336-552: The Yes Tor area. In 1963 the Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) published a 24-page booklet entitled Misuse of a National Park which includes photographs of unexploded shells lying on the open moor, corrugated iron buildings, large craters, a derelict tank used as a target, bullet marks on standing stones, etc. It also contains details of a 1958 incident in which a young boy was killed by
2409-784: The acidification of the soil and the accumulation of peat and bogs . After a few thousand years, the mild climate deteriorated. This left these areas uninhabited, and, consequently, relatively undisturbed to the present day. The highly acidic soil has ensured that no organic remains have survived, but the durability of the granite has meant that the remains of buildings, enclosures and monuments have survived well, as have flint tools. A number of remains were "restored" by enthusiastic Victorians and, in some cases, they have placed their own interpretation on how an area may have looked. Numerous prehistoric menhirs (more usually referred to locally as standing stones or longstones), stone circles , kistvaens , cairns and stone rows are to be found on
2482-483: The affected areas. At East Okement Farm, the inhabitants had to vacate their home during local training. Later a bunker was added for the family to take shelter in. In the early 1900s, 3,448 acres of Willsworthy Manor and commoners' right were purchases by the War Office. In the 1920s this land was turned into rifle, grenade and field firing ranges and the core of a camp for the troops using these facilities. In
2555-414: The area where the guns were stored when not in use. Administration of the camp was by two NCOs called "Barracky Bills" who lived there with their families. Their quarters and working areas also still exist. A small permanent staff ran the training exercises. This camp accommodated two brigades at a time, of four batteries of six guns each. The troops (around 170 men and 90 horses per brigade) usually stayed at
2628-525: The buildings themselves and its physical location. The Dartmoor landscape is scattered with the marks left by the many generations who have lived and worked there over the centuries – such as the remains of the Dartmoor tin-mining industry, and farmhouses long since abandoned. See Industrial archaeology of Dartmoor . Over half of Dartmoor National Park (57.3%) is private land; the Forest of Dartmoor being
2701-557: The camp at Plasterdown was demolished and the site restored to moorland. Rippon Tor firing range was closed. In 1975/6, a local public inquiry by Lady Sharp into the continued use of Dartmoor by the military for training purposes found no viable alternative, but regular consultation between the Ministry of Defence, the National Park Authority and other interested parties was suggested. The "Dartmoor Steering Group"
2774-482: The camp for two weeks. In 1895, an additional 10,000 acres of moor were leased from the Duchy of Cornwall. These areas were in use almost continuously from May to September. Remains of the targetry system then in use can still be seen in places around the moor. Access to the target area was by old miners' and peat cutters' tracks. Even then, red flags were used to designate live firing. Livestock had to be cleared off
2847-511: The centuries. Many are now used as farm buildings, while others have been abandoned and fallen into ruin. Some way into the moor stands the town of Princetown , the site of Dartmoor Prison , which was originally built by Isbell Rowe & Company, Plymouth, for prisoners of war from the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 . The prison has a reputation for being escape-proof, due to both
2920-402: The chancellor of the high court, ruled: "In my judgment, on the first issue set out at [14] above, the claimants are entitled to the declaration they seek that, on its true construction, section 10(1) of the 1985 Act does not confer on the public any right to pitch tents or otherwise make camp overnight on Dartmoor Commons. Any such camping requires the consent of the landowner." A protest against
2993-407: The coldest months with mean minimum temperatures around 1 °C (34 °F). July and August are the warmest months with mean daily maxima not reaching 18 °C (64 °F). Compared with Teignmouth , which is on the coast about 22 miles (35 km) to the east, the average maximum and minimum temperatures are 3.0 °C (5.4 °F) and 2.6 °C (4.7 °F) lower respectively, and frost
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3066-596: The highest parts of the moor the average annual total rainfall is over 2,000 millimetres (79 in). This compares with less than 800 millimetres (31 in) in the lower land to the east around the Exe Estuary , which is in the rain shadow of the moor. Due to the influence of the Gulf Stream snowfall is not common, though due to its high altitude it is more vulnerable to snowfall than surrounding regions. Between 1961 and 1990 Met Office data shows that there
3139-506: The integrity of the moor; however, the cost of compensating companies for these licences, which may not have been granted in today's political climate, could prove prohibitive. The military use of the moor has been another source of controversy, as when training was extended in January 2003. The national park authority received 1,700 objections before making the decision. Objectors said that Dartmoor should be an area for recreation, and that
3212-543: The landscape has been exploited for industrial purposes. In recent years, controversy has surrounded the work of industrial conglomerates Imerys and Sibelco (formerly Watts Blake Bearne), who have used parts of the moor for china clay mining. Licences were granted by the British Government but were recently renounced after sustained public pressure from bodies such as the Dartmoor Preservation Association . The British government has made promises to protect
3285-512: The late Neolithic and early Bronze Age . Indeed, Dartmoor contains the largest concentration of Bronze Age remains in the United Kingdom, which suggests that this was when a larger population moved onto the hills of Dartmoor. The large systems of Bronze Age fields, divided by reaves , cover an area of over 10,000 hectares (39 sq mi) of the lower moors. The climate at the time was warmer than today, and much of today's moorland
3358-647: The major part of this, owned by the Duke of Cornwall . The Ministry of Defence owns 14% (see below), 3.8% is owned by water companies (see Dartmoor reservoirs ), 3.7% by the National Trust , 1.8% by the Forestry Commission and 1.4% by Dartmoor's national park authority . About 37% of Dartmoor is common land . Dartmoor differs from some other National Parks in England and Wales , in that since
3431-502: The moor. The most significant sites include: There are also an estimated 5,000 hut circles still surviving although many have been raided over the centuries by the builders of the traditional dry stone walls. These are the remnants of Bronze Age houses. The smallest are around 1.8 m (6 ft) in diameter, and the largest may be up to five times this size. Some have L-shaped porches to protect against wind and rain; some particularly good examples are to be found at Grimspound . It
3504-525: The new restrictions, led by local storyteller Martin Shaw, was held in January 2023. However, on 31 July the ban was overturned by the Court of Appeal. There is a history of military usage of Dartmoor dating back to the Napoleonic Wars . Today, a large British Army training camp remains at Okehampton — also the site of an airbase during the Second World War. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) uses three areas of
3577-448: The northern moor for manoeuvres and live-firing exercises, totalling 108.71 km (41.97 sq mi), or just over 11% of the National Park. Red and white posts mark the boundaries of these military areas (shown on Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale maps). Flagpoles on many tors in and around the ranges fly red flags when firing is taking place. At other times, members of the public are allowed access. Blank rounds may also be used, but
3650-450: The numerous small pools. Two shrimp species can be found on Dartmoor: fairy shrimp that can be found in temporary pools, and, in underground streams, very rare cave shrimp. The world's largest land slug, the Ash black , is also found. Reptiles include common lizards and adders . The farmland in the wet valleys around the edge of the moors is the most important habitat for insects, including:
3723-474: The people of Okehampton appreciated the additional business brought by the troops, the graziers protested as the livestock was driven off. However, an agreement was reached and from 1882 compensation was paid to them. Until the 1890s the soldiers and horses were quartered in tents built by the first troops to use the facility each year. Then the War Department took out a 999-year lease on 93 acres from
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#17327905918273796-523: The public on a permanent basis. In July 1947, the report of the Hobhouse Committee on National Parks emphasized the special significance of Dartmoor and largely as a result by 1948 the military's land holdings were reduced to 37,400 acres, of which permanent closure affected 9,000 acres, 20,850 acres were closed during training exercises and 7,550 acres were accessible at all times. In 1951, Dartmoor National Park came into existence. Although
3869-472: The quarry lies. The railway is described in Exeter to Plymouth railway of the LSWR . The quarry was considerably developed in 1897 to provide the majority of the track ballast requirements of the LSWR, which at the time amounted to about 100,000 tons per annum. The geology is such that the ballast is harder, and therefore more long-lasting, than stone available in the more easterly parts of the system. The quarry
3942-441: The southern moor are Ryder's Hill , 515 m (1,690 ft), ( grid reference SX 660690 ), Snowdon 495 m (1,624 ft), ( grid reference SX 668684 ), and an unnamed point, 493 m (1,617 ft) at ( grid reference SX 603645 ), between Langcombe Hill and Shell Top. The best-known tor on Dartmoor is Haytor (called Hey Tor by William Crossing), 457 m (1,499 ft), ( grid reference SX 757771 ). For
4015-464: The story of a man who was making his way through Aune Mire at the head of the River Avon when he came upon a top-hat brim down on the surface of the mire. He kicked it, whereupon a voice called out: "What be you a-doin' to my 'at?" The man replied, "Be there now a chap under'n?" "Ees, I reckon," was the reply, "and a hoss under me likewise." Dartmoor is popular with local astronomers because it
4088-416: The surrounding lowlands. As much of the national park is covered in thick layers of peat (decaying vegetation), the rain is usually absorbed quickly and distributed slowly, so the moor is rarely dry. In areas where water accumulates, dangerous bogs or mires can result. Some of these, topped with bright green moss, are known to locals as "feather beds" or "quakers", because they can shift (or 'quake') beneath
4161-480: The surrounding sedimentary rocks during the Carboniferous period, probably about 309 million years ago. It is generally accepted that the present surface is not far below the original top of the pluton; evidence for this includes partly digested shale xenoliths , contamination of the granite and the existence of two patches of altered sedimentary rock on top of the granite. A considerable gravity anomaly
4234-531: The training disturbs the peace. Those who objected included the Open Spaces Society and the Dartmoor Preservation Association . During her lifetime, Sylvia Sayer was another outspoken critic of the damage that she perceived that the army was doing to the moor. The designated Dartmoor National Park area has a resident population of about 33,000, which swells considerably during holiday periods with incoming tourists. The largest settlements within
4307-498: The training to be cut short. During this time, the nation's main artillery training area was at Shoeburyness , where the guns fired out to sea. As technology advanced and ranges increased, this became inadequate. The War Office agreed with the Duchy of Cornwall and the town council of Okehampton to set up a training range in north Dartmoor. The first temporary camp was established in 1875 on Halstock Down and artillery firing between
4380-438: The upland heaths heather ( ling ) and bell heather are common along with western gorse . In dry grassy areas tormentil , heath bedstraw and heath milkwort are all common. Cross-leaved heath and purple moor grass grow in wetter spots and in the boggy areas many different species of sphagnum and other mosses can be found, along with liverworts , Hare's-tail Cotton-grass , round-leaved sundew and bog asphodel , and in
4453-887: The uplands dates from the Carboniferous Period of geological history. The landscape consists of moorland capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors , providing habitats for wildlife. The highest point is High Willhays , 621 m (2,037 ft) above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities and archaeological artefacts . Dartmoor National Park is managed by the Dartmoor National Park Authority , whose 22 members are drawn from Devon County Council , local district councils and Government. The Dartmoor Commoners' Council exists to create and enforce regulations regarding commoners' rights. Parts of Dartmoor have been used as military firing ranges for over 200 years. The public
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#17327905918274526-420: The valley bottoms, many different sedges , bogbean and pale butterwort all grow. A large variety of bird species can be found on Dartmoor including ones that have declined elsewhere in the UK, such as skylark and common snipe ; some are even rare nationally, such as the ring ouzel and the cuckoo . There are internationally important populations of meadow pipit and stonechat . Woodland birds include
4599-561: The wettest patches. The valley bogs have lush growth of rushes , with sphagnum, cross-leaved heath , sundews and several other species. Some of the bogs on Dartmoor have achieved notoriety. Fox Tor Mires was supposedly the inspiration for Great Grimpen Mire in Conan Doyle's novel The Hound of the Baskervilles , although there is a waymarked footpath across it. Sabine Baring-Gould , in his Book of Dartmoor (1900) related
4672-409: Was an average of 20 days when snow fell on the moor, and over 40 days a year with hail, which is as high as anywhere else in the country. This results when cold polar maritime air that has travelled over a large expanse of warmer ocean is forced to rise over high country. When average temperatures at Princetown between 1961 and 2000 are compared, the average annual temperature in the decade 1990–2000
4745-499: Was brought to the area and fired from Halwill Junction/North Tawton into Dartmoor. In the year before the June 1944 Invasion of Normandy , the 4th and 29th U.S. divisions trained on Dartmoor, with thousands of troops living in camps along the roads all across the moor. At the end of the war, the War Office controlled around 78,000 acres of Dartmoor (through ownership, lease, license or requisition). Of these, 49,000 were barred to
4818-401: Was covered with trees. The prehistoric settlers began clearing the forest, and established the first farming communities. Fire was the main method of clearing land, creating pasture and swidden types of fire-fallow farmland. Areas less suited for farming tended to be burned for livestock grazing. Over the centuries these Neolithic practices greatly expanded the upland moors, and contributed to
4891-437: Was followed by USA 0-6-0T no. DS234, which worked at the quarry from then until October 1966, after which class 08 diesel shunters provided the power. Dartmoor Dartmoor is an upland area in southern Devon , South West England . The moorland and surrounding land has been protected by National Park status since 1951. Dartmoor National Park covers 954 km (368 sq mi). The granite that forms
4964-447: Was further extended in 1902, eventually reaching 200 acres (80 hectares). Further developed over the years, by 1953 it was producing 340,000 tons annually. An internal tramway of short and movable 2-foot (610 mm) gauge tramways was provided. After nationalisation, the ballast quality was considered to be superior to the more conveniently available limestones, but the cost of haulage from the westerly location counted against it, and in
5037-474: Was largely unaffected by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 , which established similar rights in other rural parts of the country, until 2006, when the 2000 Act opened up much of the remaining restricted land to walkers. In January 2023, in a high court judgement in a case brought by landowner Alexander Darwall , the right for members of the public to wild camp on Dartmoor was lost. Julian Flaux ,
5110-515: Was set up. It meets once a year and reports to the Secretaries of State for Defence and Environment. Eventually, Willsworthy Camp was moved to a lower profile location off the open moor and opened at the new location in 1995. It provides accommodation for 100 troops. As of 2015 there are 120 conservation groups across the MOD, including Dartmoor Military Conservation Group. Military training
5183-438: Was up by 0.2 °C (0.4 °F) and the late winter temperature increased by 0.5 °C (0.9 °F). Because of Dartmoor's height and granite geology, it experiences strong winds and has acidic soils. In consequence it has been subject to very little intensive farming , and all these factors combine to form the basis of the important ecosystems found here. The landscape is one of granite with peat bogs overlying it. While
5256-410: Was used for rifle, machine gun and anti-tank firing. A new rifle range on Rippon Tor was built, an airfield constructed on Roborough Down and another camp of Nissen huts was started at Plasterdown (later to become a hospital for U.S. forces). In preparation against possible German invasion, protective structures were constructed in the moor, such as pillboxes . At one point an 18-inch railway gun
5329-544: Was working there until 1938. A replacement locomotive was required, and after trials with a B4 0-4-0T and an O2 0-4-4T , a SECR class T 0-6-0T no 1607 became the regular power unit, being renumbered 500S; it worked there from September 1938 until 1948. After a period with locomotives being loaned temporarily, a G6 class 0-6-0T no 72 of the former LSWR took over, being renumbered DS3152 and working from November 1949 until July 1960. Another G6 took over then: no. 30238, renumbered DS682 worked there until December 1962. This
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