Peter Tavy to Mary Tavy via Cox Tor A circular route of about 6 miles that takes you up to the lower slopes of Cox Tor and back down the hill to Harford Bridge, then on the West Devon Way to Mary Tavy returning to come past the Peter Tavy Inn. For those wanting a longer walk there is a an excursion around Cox Tor and for those wanting a 3 mile walk this is also possible .
The walk starts at Peter Tavy Church With the church behind you walk out to the road and turn right and when you reach the village hall turn left to walk up past the shelter and chapel. With the fast flowing stream on your left walk up to the road and turn left to go over a bridge
Just past some cottages the road becomes a path which you now follow as well as following the Dartmoor Way signs. Take the signposted route to The Coombe By going right and then over the bridge hidden in the woods and up the hill. Follow the Dartmoor way sign by bearing right slightly as you go past the pole
On past the Peter Tavy swimming pool opened in 1933, and was used for nearly 60 years . Its now a wildlife pond.
As you climb the hill turn around to see the very fine view behind
Walk up and around to the top of Great Coombe Tor
When you reach the top the path takes you along this grassy track flanked by stone walls….
….to a gate.
Go through the gate and fork left Fork left again when you reach this track and then follow a wall on your left all the way to the road
You now have a choice. If you want to extend the walk by about 2 miles by going around Cox Tor and perhaps visiting the ice cream van in the car park on Pork Hill turn left and scroll to the end to get directions. To continue straight to Harford Bridge and Mary Tavy turn right and walk along the road.
Not very far along the road bends to the left but we fork right to go down a grassy track As the track bends to the right we carry on towards the tall trees
Turn right to go down the track flanked by the tall trees. Through the gate and ….. …...out on to the road with the entrance to Cox Tor Farm on your left. Walk on down the hill.
Turn right at the first junction
Turn left at the second
Turn right at the third
Finally turn left at the T junction to walk on down the hill past
the houses on your right to Going right here will take you Harford Bridge back to Peter Tavy Village and shorten the walk by 3 miles
Over the bridge and then first right up a drive way next to the post box
At the end of the drive go through the gate into a field. Fork slightly right towards the first of two ladder stiles on the West Devon Way
Neither of the two ladder stiles are very dog friendly This is a well walked path across the fields
Through
the gate and turn left
Over the second ladder stile and keep the hedge on your left
In the last field step over the stile and turn right down a track over a bridge and up to the road. You reach the road at the entrance to the Hydro electric power station. Turn right and follow the cycle route and Dartmoor Way sign. Go through the gate and turn left or pause at the bench by the river.
Go over the bridge and fork right to follow the sign to Peter Tavy. You are now in mining country and following a miners track. Follow the track around to the left which goes past the Peter Tavy Inn .
Just past the pub fork left to walk back up to the church Cox Tor circuit excursion
Having passed through this gate cross the road and head Roos Tor diagonally left across the open moor towards Roos Tor.
Roos Tor Staple Tor As you walk around Cox Tor Staple Tor comes into view
Staple Tor Middle Staple Tor And then Middle Staple Tor Passing by No 10 Staple Tor View a now deserted Bronze age house keep on until you reach the pond
Car park and Ice cream van
Passing the pond on your left head towards the Car park in the distance Passing Cox Tor on your right walk on down towards the car park to just below the bracken line.
Brent Tor
Keep on walking around the base of Cox Tor and head for Brent Tor when it comes into view
Path You should now be on this wide stony track …….. ….which becomes Brent Tor a wide grassy track that bends around the base of Cox Tor
Tall Trees
On reaching the road head for the tall trees by way of a narrow path through the bracken
To complete the excursion take the path between the trees and go through a gate and down a track to a road. Now scroll back up to continue the walk
I do hope you enjoyed the walk. If you are not members of the Ramblers do join and we will take you on many more interesting walks.
Words and Pictures by David Simkins November 2020
Here are some links you may find useful .
Peter Tavy local information http://www.petertavyparishcouncil.org/the-parish/history/ Peter Tavy Inn http://www.petertavyinn.co.uk/ Mary Tavy local information
https://marytavyparishcouncil.co.uk/the-village-today/
Mary Tavy Hydro electric power station https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/siteassets/documents/mary_tavy_a5_leaflet.pdf