Interesting fact
Slapton Sands on the south Devon coast was used as a practice area for the D-Day landings by virtue of its resemblance to Omaha Beach. In April 1944 nearly 1000 servicemen were killed here when their convoy was attacked by German torpedo boats.
Route
Upon leaving the car park by the toilets, turn left downhill to cross the dam. Turn right along a track on the other side; where that bears sharp left uphill keep ahead on an obvious path that leads along the eastern shore of the reservoir. Pass a footbridge over the West Okement River at Vellake Corner and continue on a path to the E of the river for about 1km. On approaching an area of ancient stunted oak woodland – Blackator Copse, one of three such areas remaining on the moor and well worth a visit – leave the waterside and ascend SE to the rocky outcrops of Black Tor, with High Willhays now lying a little over 1km to the E. Much of the route between the river valley and High Willhays is pathless and careful navigation is required during periods of poor weather; parts are also steep. The summit of High Willhays is marked by a large mound of stone; as such it is not one of the weathered granite outcrops – ‘tors’– for which Dartmoor is famous.
Descent
Proceed N along a path to Yes Tor (619m), Devon’s second-highest hill, which is topped by a trig pillar. From the summit, descend moderately steep slopes to the W to meet a path that runs between Black Tor and Longstone Hill. The path dips to the N before plunging W to the reservoir. Cross the dam to return to the car park.
Other routes
High Willhays can be climbed via the network of rough non-vehicular military roads to the N and E, and from Okehampton itself.
The Army and Dartmoor
The Ministry of Defence uses three areas of the northern section of Dartmoor for training and live-firing exercises. The boundaries of these areas, known as Okehampton, Merrivale and Willsworthy, are shown on OS maps. According to the Dartmoor Training Area website, the moor is seen as an ideal training ground for war because of its ‘remoteness, challenging terrain and changeable climate’. Tanks, however, cannot be utilised because of the boggy terrain.
3 SOMERSET
Dunkery Beacon 519m SS 8915 4160
| Location | Exmoor, 9.5km SW of Minehead |
| Start | Dunkery Gate car park (free), off minor Luccombe–Wheddon Cross road, SS 8960 4064 |
| OS map | Landranger 181 (Minehead & Brendon Hills), Explorer OL9 (Exmoor) |
| Difficulty | 1 |
| Enjoyment | *** |
| Distance | 2.5km (1.5 miles) |
| Ascent | 130m |
| Time | 30–40mins |
The summit of Dunkery Hill, Dunkery Beacon, is also the highest point of Exmoor, a National Park designated in 1954. The hill is easily accessible for young walkers and attracts many day-trippers during holidays. Fine views stretch north across the Bristol Channel and South Wales, with Pen y Fan in Brecknockshire visible on a clear day. The high point is crowned by a cairn erected in September 1935 to commemorate the handing over of Dunkery Hill to the National Trust, as well as a number of Bronze Age burial mounds. Exmoor ponies and herds of red deer are regularly seen on the well-walked approaches to the summit. This walk is particularly lovely in August when the hill is clothed with purple heather and bright yellow Western gorse.
National Trust sign close to the start of the walk
Did you Know?
Famous native
Labour politician Ernest Bevin (1881–1951), foreign secretary between 1945 and his death, was born in Winsford to the south of Dunkery Beacon. Orphaned at six years old, he worked as a farm labourer before moving to Bristol when he was 18.
Interesting fact
The longest of the UK’s long-distance footpaths, the 1014km South West Coast Path, starts (or ends) in Minehead and ends (or starts) on the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset.
Route
Exit the car park to the W and cross the road. Follow the second of two bridleways on the left. Ascend the wide, stony path in a generally NNW direction to reach the large stone cairn and toposcope atop Dunkery Beacon. ‘Dunkery’ comes from the Old English dun (hill) and the Celtic creag (rocky place); when you reach the summit you’ll see what an appropriate name it is!
Descent
Return by the same route.
Other routes
A multitude of paths criss-cross Dunkery Hill, each giving a different ascent to Dunkery Beacon. The Macmillan Way West long-distance footpath visits the summit, while lengthy ascents can also be made from Exford and Luccombe.
Walkers on the summit of Somerset
4 DORSET
Lewesdon Hill 279m ST 4376 0123
| Location | 4km W of Beaminster |
| Start | Lay-by immediately N of Buck’s Head, off B3162 Bridport–Broadwindsor road, ST 4396 0054 |
| OS map | Landranger 193 (Taunton & Lyme Regis), Explorer 116 (Lyme Regis & Bridport) |
| Difficulty | 2 |
| Enjoyment | *** |
| Distance | 0.6km (1 mile) |
| Ascent | 50m |
| Time | 30–40mins |
For whatever reason, Pilsdon Pen (277m) – a well-known summit 3km west of Lewesdon Hill – was long considered Dorset’s highest point. The debate is now closed: Lewesdon Hill is definitely higher, albeit by a mere 2m. The route described here, through a 200-year-old beech and oak woodland, is best walked in the spring, when the hill’s slopes are carpeted in masses of fragrant bluebells. As the flat top of Lewesdon Hill suggests, it was once the location of an Iron Age hillfort. Similarly, Pilsdon Pen, which is also well worth a visit, was the site of a Roman fort, as was Waddon Hill to the east of Lewesdon Hill.
Bluebell-decked woods on Lewesdon Hill
Did you Know?
Famous native
Tennis player Virginia Wade, who won the