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Black Down

Downs, Moorland in Devon West Devon

England

Black Down

Old Boundary Markers at Harter Corner Two Parish Boundary Markers at Harter Corner between the intake of East Okement Farm and the ford on Black-a-Ven Brook. The larger is DV_OKPB02pb and the smaller is DV_OKPB03pb. Both are inscribed O P / B. On the boundary of Okehampton parish and borough and Lydford parish until 1885, then Okehampton parish only and Lydford parish. From 1894 the boundary was Okehampton Hamlets and Lydford parishes and both are now entirely in Okehampton Hamlets parish.
Old Boundary Markers at Harter Corner Credit: T Jenkinson

Black Down is a prominent hill located in Devon, England. It forms part of the Blackdown Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With an elevation of 315 meters (1,033 feet), it is the highest point in the county of Devon.

The hill is characterized by its distinctive heathland and moorland habitat, which supports a rich variety of flora and fauna. It is home to several rare plant species, including heather, gorse, and bilberry. The diverse vegetation provides an important habitat for a range of wildlife, such as adders, lizards, and various bird species including the Dartford warbler and nightjar.

Black Down offers stunning panoramic views from its summit, allowing visitors to take in the picturesque landscape of the surrounding area. On a clear day, it is possible to see as far as the coastline of South Wales, the Bristol Channel, and even Dartmoor in the distance.

The hill is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering numerous walking trails and bridleways that crisscross the area. These trails cater to various abilities, making it accessible to both casual walkers and more experienced hikers. The tranquil and remote nature of Black Down makes it an ideal location for those seeking a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Overall, Black Down is a natural gem in Devon, providing a haven for wildlife and offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of the countryside.

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Black Down Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.709554/-4.007157 or Grid Reference SX5891. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old Boundary Markers at Harter Corner Two Parish Boundary Markers at Harter Corner between the intake of East Okement Farm and the ford on Black-a-Ven Brook. The larger is DV_OKPB02pb and the smaller is DV_OKPB03pb. Both are inscribed O P / B. On the boundary of Okehampton parish and borough and Lydford parish until 1885, then Okehampton parish only and Lydford parish. From 1894 the boundary was Okehampton Hamlets and Lydford parishes and both are now entirely in Okehampton Hamlets parish.
Old Boundary Markers at Harter Corner
Two Parish Boundary Markers at Harter Corner between the intake of East Okement Farm and the ford on Black-a-Ven Brook. The larger is DV_OKPB02pb and the smaller is DV_OKPB03pb. Both are inscribed O P / B. On the boundary of Okehampton parish and borough and Lydford parish until 1885, then Okehampton parish only and Lydford parish. From 1894 the boundary was Okehampton Hamlets and Lydford parishes and both are now entirely in Okehampton Hamlets parish.
Turning area, OP22 Beside the parking area shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3658686">SX6091 : Small Parking Area on the Edge of the Firing Range</a>. As Tony points out, this is nowadays the limit southwards for the ordinary motorist, since the road to OP15 was closed in 2009. Behind the camera is <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2439463">SX6091 : Military observation post (OP22)</a>. On the horizon is East Mill Tor.
Turning area, OP22
Beside the parking area shown in SX6091 : Small Parking Area on the Edge of the Firing Range. As Tony points out, this is nowadays the limit southwards for the ordinary motorist, since the road to OP15 was closed in 2009. Behind the camera is SX6091 : Military observation post (OP22). On the horizon is East Mill Tor.
Observation post OP22 Also shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2439463">SX6091 : Military observation post (OP22)</a>. There is a small tor behind it. This is beside the parking area shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3658686">SX6091 : Small Parking Area on the Edge of the Firing Range</a>. From here southwards, it's on foot.
Observation post OP22
Also shown in SX6091 : Military observation post (OP22). There is a small tor behind it. This is beside the parking area shown in SX6091 : Small Parking Area on the Edge of the Firing Range. From here southwards, it's on foot.
Approaching OP22 You used to be able to drive along this road, and military vehicles and other authorised users still do, but it's a bit rough. Here it approaches <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2439463">SX6091 : Military observation post (OP22)</a>.
Approaching OP22
You used to be able to drive along this road, and military vehicles and other authorised users still do, but it's a bit rough. Here it approaches SX6091 : Military observation post (OP22).
Old Boundary Marker by Harter Hill Ford, Okehampton Hamlets parish Parish Boundary Marker by the UC road, in parish of Okehampton Hamlets (West Devon District), Harter Hill Ford, Dartmoor, by bridge over Black a Ven Brook, on grass beside simple bridge. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: DV_LFOK01pb
Old Boundary Marker by Harter Hill Ford, Okehampton Hamlets parish
Parish Boundary Marker by the UC road, in parish of Okehampton Hamlets (West Devon District), Harter Hill Ford, Dartmoor, by bridge over Black a Ven Brook, on grass beside simple bridge. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: DV_LFOK01pb
Black-a-ven Brook
Black-a-ven Brook
Black-a-ven Brook on Harter Hill
Black-a-ven Brook on Harter Hill
Ford and bridge across Black-a-ven Brook
Ford and bridge across Black-a-ven Brook
Drainage ditch on Harter Hill
Drainage ditch on Harter Hill
Army observation post on Harter Hill
Army observation post on Harter Hill
Old Boundary Marker between Yes Tor and New Bridge Parish Boundary Marker on the moor between Yes Tor and New Bridge on the military ring road. Inscribed O P / B. On the boundary of Okehampton parish and borough and Lydford parish until 1885, then Okehampton parish only and Lydford parish until 1894, and now Okehampton Hamlets and Lydford parishes. See also <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3476391" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3476391">Link</a>. Milestone Society National ID: DV_OKPB01pb
Old Boundary Marker between Yes Tor and New Bridge
Parish Boundary Marker on the moor between Yes Tor and New Bridge on the military ring road. Inscribed O P / B. On the boundary of Okehampton parish and borough and Lydford parish until 1885, then Okehampton parish only and Lydford parish until 1894, and now Okehampton Hamlets and Lydford parishes. See also Link. Milestone Society National ID: DV_OKPB01pb
Old Boundary Markers at Middle Ford Two Parish Boundary Markers at Middle Ford, Black-a-Ven Brook. The larger is DV_OKPB04pb and the smaller is DV_OKPB05pb. Both are inscribed O P / B. On the boundary of Okehampton parish and borough and Lydford parish until 1885, then Okehampton parish only and Lydford parish. From 1894 the boundary was Okehampton Hamlets and Lydford parishes and both are now entirely in Okehampton Hamlets parish.
Old Boundary Markers at Middle Ford
Two Parish Boundary Markers at Middle Ford, Black-a-Ven Brook. The larger is DV_OKPB04pb and the smaller is DV_OKPB05pb. Both are inscribed O P / B. On the boundary of Okehampton parish and borough and Lydford parish until 1885, then Okehampton parish only and Lydford parish. From 1894 the boundary was Okehampton Hamlets and Lydford parishes and both are now entirely in Okehampton Hamlets parish.
Stepping onto Meldon Viaduct Ex SR bridge 613, on the Granite Way.
Stepping onto Meldon Viaduct
Ex SR bridge 613, on the Granite Way.
A view to the south-east from Meldon Viaduct Most of the land in view is open access.
A view to the south-east from Meldon Viaduct
Most of the land in view is open access.
A view of Meldon Viaduct Viewing platforms are to be found either side of the pathway which crosses the bridge. The opening of the viaduct in 1874, allowed the London & South Western Railway to progress towards its western outposts of Plymouth and also, via the North Cornwall line, to Bude, Padstow and Bodmin. The viaduct was originally built to carry a single track but was soon doubled by the addition of a second similar structure which was interlinked with the original. The original structure was of wrought and cast iron, the 2nd being of steel. The passenger service across the viaduct ceased in 1968, but the line across it remained to allow shunting movements into the nearby Meldon Quarry. However, in 1990, the structure was classified as being too weak to carry railway traffic. With the re-reopening of the railway to Okehampton, there is increasing interest in 'closing the gap' between Okehampton and Bere Alston, thereby providing a second rail route to Plymouth. The need to rebuild the viaduct is a major hurdle to such aspirations. The viaduct is a listed structure and is now owned by the Meldon Viaduct Company, a not-for-profit organisation set up in February 1999 to safeguard it.
A view of Meldon Viaduct
Viewing platforms are to be found either side of the pathway which crosses the bridge. The opening of the viaduct in 1874, allowed the London & South Western Railway to progress towards its western outposts of Plymouth and also, via the North Cornwall line, to Bude, Padstow and Bodmin. The viaduct was originally built to carry a single track but was soon doubled by the addition of a second similar structure which was interlinked with the original. The original structure was of wrought and cast iron, the 2nd being of steel. The passenger service across the viaduct ceased in 1968, but the line across it remained to allow shunting movements into the nearby Meldon Quarry. However, in 1990, the structure was classified as being too weak to carry railway traffic. With the re-reopening of the railway to Okehampton, there is increasing interest in 'closing the gap' between Okehampton and Bere Alston, thereby providing a second rail route to Plymouth. The need to rebuild the viaduct is a major hurdle to such aspirations. The viaduct is a listed structure and is now owned by the Meldon Viaduct Company, a not-for-profit organisation set up in February 1999 to safeguard it.
A view along the northern side of Meldon Viaduct See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7032231">SX5692 : A view of Meldon Viaduct</a>.
A view along the northern side of Meldon Viaduct
See also SX5692 : A view of Meldon Viaduct.
Building at Meldon Quarry Latterly used by the erstwhile Dartmoor railway as a visitor centre, but now seemingly unused.
Building at Meldon Quarry
Latterly used by the erstwhile Dartmoor railway as a visitor centre, but now seemingly unused.
Station of the now closed Dartmoor Railway Not an 'original' station, it was used on open days to run a tourist shuttle service into Okehampton station.
Station of the now closed Dartmoor Railway
Not an 'original' station, it was used on open days to run a tourist shuttle service into Okehampton station.
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Black Down is located at Grid Ref: SX5891 (Lat: 50.709554, Lng: -4.007157)

Administrative County: Devon

District: West Devon

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///pursuit.mulled.trickster. Near Okehampton, Devon

Nearby Locations

Black Down

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.709554,-4.007157
Ford: yes
Lat/Long: 50.7107342/-4.0029805
OpenStreetMap
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Boundary: marker
Marker: post
Material: metal
Military: range_marker
Operator: Ministry of Defence
Lat/Long: 50.712921/-4.0094635
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Boundary: marker
Marker: post
Material: metal
Military: range_marker
Operator: Ministry of Defence
Lat/Long: 50.7126172/-4.0106423
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Black Down
Ele: 410
Natural: peak
Lat/Long: 50.7096131/-4.009604
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Field Telephone Connection
Access: private
Description: Military field telephone connection socket in a concrete box with metal door.
Man Made: telephone
Military: field_telephone
Operator: Ministry of Defence
Ref: Red-A-Ven
Usage: military
Website: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121026065214/http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EBF59C8C-8B0E-4349-B40B-B6566B658959/0/Okehampton_Artillery_Range_Observation_Posts.pdf
Lat/Long: 50.706641/-4.0124
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Field Telephone Connection
Access: private
Description: Military field telephone connection socket in a concrete box with metal door.
Man Made: telephone
Military: field_telephone
Operator: Ministry of Defence
Ref: 'F' Range Firing Point
Usage: military
Website: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121026065214/http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EBF59C8C-8B0E-4349-B40B-B6566B658959/0/Okehampton_Artillery_Range_Observation_Posts.pdf
Lat/Long: 50.7117633/-4.0087567
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Field Telephone Connection
Access: private
Description: Military field telephone connection socket in a concrete box with metal door.
Man Made: telephone
Military: field_telephone
Operator: Ministry of Defence
Ref: Creepers Hole
Usage: military
Website: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121026065214/http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EBF59C8C-8B0E-4349-B40B-B6566B658959/0/Okehampton_Artillery_Range_Observation_Posts.pdf
Lat/Long: 50.7112054/-4.0026354
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Field Telephone Connection
Access: private
Description: Military field telephone connection socket in a concrete box with metal door.
Man Made: telephone
Military: field_telephone
Operator: Ministry of Defence
Ref: Black Down Flag
Usage: military
Website: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121026065214/http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EBF59C8C-8B0E-4349-B40B-B6566B658959/0/Okehampton_Artillery_Range_Observation_Posts.pdf
Lat/Long: 50.713904/-4.008462
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Range Warning Flagpole
Flag Type: signal
Height: 6
Man Made: flagpole
Operator: Ministry of Defence
Ref: Black Down
Website: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121026065214/http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EBF59C8C-8B0E-4349-B40B-B6566B658959/0/Okehampton_Artillery_Range_Observation_Posts.pdf
Lat/Long: 50.7125517/-4.0109103
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Google Maps
'F' Range Semaphore (remains)
Historic: ruins
Note: Base structure for semaphore signalling unit - long since superseded by radio!
Ruins: yes
Lat/Long: 50.712273/-4.0105797
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Boundary: marker
Marker: post
Material: metal
Military: range_marker
Operator: Ministry of Defence
Lat/Long: 50.7120204/-4.0124989
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Ford Down Devon
Holmlea Park Renfrewshire

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