A GUIDE TO WALKING AND EXPLORING FROM THE HOTEL welcome to a very special place ou have arrived, unpacked and made yourself at home. We hope the journey was a good one... if not, have a G&T; it makes all the difference I find! Now it’s time to kick off your shoes and Y unwind. Mill End has been a home and hotel for nearly a century and for good reason. It’s a real antidote to fast lifestyles and modern living. With wonderful countryside on your doorstep, great views and the freedom to walk straight from the garden gate; some of our guests don’t even think about driving for the duration of their stay. Relax, throw a log on the fire and curl up with a book or a magazine. Head for the Anglers Hall, exchange the shoes for boots and step outside to stretch your legs. You can find easy going walks immediately you leave the hotel. You don’t need to be Sherpa Tensing or an Angora goat...good shoes will be just fine on a dry day. Sit on the river bank and pretend to catch a fish. Or, if you actually feel like catching a salmon, sea trout or ‘brownie’, we will be happy to cook them for you. The choice is yours. This is a truly inspiring part of the world...a world away from the hustle and bustle of regular life. Mill End is a home from home to many and I hope to you too...make it your own. We are here to help; just let us know if you need anything otherwise we will leave you alone to enjoy this wonderful place. If you do have the urge to go further afield there is lots to see and do, from the stunning gardens of Rosemoor to the remarkable Eden Project, country lanes just waiting to be discovered to farm shops full of tasty goodies. If you discover any particular gems, please let us know. Enjoy! Sue, Peter and everyone at Mill End Dartmoor...beyond comparison SPACE TO BREATHE Covering an area of 368 square miles, Dartmoor is the largest expanse of open countryside in southern England. Almost half of this area is open moorland, and, in our ever-shrinking country, it’s good to know you can still find space and tranquility under big skies. THE LANDSCAPE Dartmoor is all about contrasts. The heart of the Moor is wild, heather-covered hills, punctuated by the stark beauty of the granite Tors. Colours change not just through the seasons, but by the minute as the light plays across the gorse and bracken. You’ll find tranquil lakes (Fernworthy is not far from Mill End), dense forests of pine and larch and where the Moor softens towards its edges, you will discover magical wooded valleys carpeted with wild flowers, clear rivers tumbling over boulders clothed in lush mosses, gentle farmland and peaceful meadows. LEGEND AND HISTORY Countless stories are told about Dartmoor’s legendary past, and seemingly every part of the Moor has a tale associated with it. From the fearful Wisht Hounds of Wistman’s Wood, which inspired Conan-Doyle, to the grave of Kitty Jay at Manaton, the Moor oozes a powerful atmosphere, which one cannot help but be moved by. Dartmoor has more examples of man’s prehistory than anywhere in Europe. From burial chambers (Spinster’s Rock is just up the road) and stone circles and rows, to the remnants of iron age hillforts and farms, to walk the Moor is to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, along ancient paths, unchanged and unforgettable. two local walks for you to enjoy... WALK 1 - THE TEIGN GORGE TO FINGLE BRIDGE Circular, approx 4.5 miles, allow 2-3 hours. This walk is difficult in places, with uneven steps and a few steep climbs. Stout footwear is advisable. Of course, you don’t have to follow the complete route, as it is still a very pleasant stroll to the Iron Bridge Leave the hotel, turn left over the bridge and then cross the road after a few yards (take care) to follow the waymarked path towards the gorge. Up ahead you will see Castle Drogo in its commanding position. Follow the path and then enter the gorge, with the river to your right, until you come to the Iron Bridge (1). You will cross this later as our route will take you along the gorge on the north side of the River Teign. Follow the path. Drogo Weir (2), which supplied Castle 6 Drogo’s Turbine House is a short distance from the Iron Bridge. You may see salmon leaping here in the autumn. Continue downstream 2 until you reach the steps (3). 1 HOTEL These are at the foot of Sharp Tor, and can be slippery in wet weather. Please take great care. Continue along the river to Fingle Weir (4), which you will glimpse through the trees. Take a moment here before rejoining the path, which now snakes away from the river slightly, taking you a little higher. The oak-covered gorge rises steeply to your left, the sound of the Teign down to your right. The path then descends to Fingle Bridge (5). This is a popular place for visitors, and the starting point for many other wonderful walks. There is a pub here serving refreshments. The bridge itself is believed to date from Elizabethan times and was once an important crossing place on the ancient route to Moretonhampstead. When you are ready to continue, cross the bridge and turn right to follow the river back to the hotel. This path is gentler and takes you eventually to the old Castle Drogo Turbine House (6), which once supplied the castle with hydroelectric power. Continue along the path and you will then find the high walls of Whiddon Deer Park on your right, before coming to a steep stile over the wall to the Iron Bridge. Again take care here. Cross the bridge and then retrace your steps back to the hotel, this time with the river to your left. There is plenty of wildlife to look out for on the walks. See overleaf. Oak woodland on the A view of the Teign from slopes of the Gorge the north bank Castle Drogo 5 3 4 WALK 2 - TO CHAGFORD Approx 1.5 miles. An easy walk, although stout footwear is advisable when it’s wet. Fingle Bridge Leave the hotel, turn left over the bridge and then left again immediately, following the footpath sign. This leads you into gentle, ancient woodland, with the river flowing to your left. Keep an eye out for the Peter Randall- Page sculpture nestling on a small island in the river. After you leave the woods follow the path along the bank, with wonderful rounded green hills rising your right, so typical of the area. You should now aim for the farm slightly to the right. This is Rushford Mill Farm (A). Follow the signs and pass through the farmyard. Walk up the metalled lane, turn left and then you will see Chagford’s A famous outdoor swimming pool (B) - bracing best describes the experience of taking a dip here! Cross the B bridge and then follow the road up a fairly steep hill and in less than half a mile you will have reached Chagford (C). Take time to enjoy the village. See overleaf for more details. C Buzzard. Listen out for its distinctive ‘mewing’ call a wealth of wildlife On our suggested walks, keep an eye out for a fabulously varied range of flora and fauna. Some will be easy to spot, others more elusive. Many are seasonal, of course. And we can’t guarantee you’ll see all (indeed if any!) of the animals, birds, plants and fungi on our short list, but there is a fair chance of observing some of the more common species like buzzards, which you may hear before you see. As you venture deeper into the Moor, rarer examples of its wildlife are waiting to be discovered. A good pair of binoculars and a pocket field guide will be very useful, although there is so much to see beneath your feet and in the hedgerows. Happy spotting! As you follow the paths to Be safe on your walks... Fingle Bridge or Chagford you may see buzzard, sparrowhawk, and respect the land pied flycatcher, jay, redstart Sparrowhawk or wood warbler, as well as FOOTPATH BYWAY numerous crows and magpies! WAYMARK WAYMARK Look for signs of foxes, badgers BRIDLEWAY NATIONAL and squirrels. Mosses and ferns WAYMARK TRAILS abound, and glorious bluebells, • Plan ahead and follow any signs. Wear suitable wild daffodils and ramsons in the clothing and footwear spring. Later in the year listen • Leave gates and property as you find them out for song thrush and you may • Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home • Keep dogs under close control be very, very lucky and catch • Consider other people Ramsons a glimpse of an otter or mink. Rare butterflies can be seen, AND WHEN ON DARTMOOR... • Know your rights of access to the different kinds of including the lovely gatekeeper. open countryside on the Moor Delicate wild flowers pepper • Control your dog at all times so that it does not the hedgerows with colour. The disturb or scare farm animals or wildlife • You should keep your dog on a short lead on areas hotel is close to Whiddon Deer of open country and common land between 1 March Park (ask about walking there) and 31 July to avoid worrying lambs and ewes, and disturbing nesting birds.