Hameldown Beacon

Challacombe is a farm that represents all that remains of a once much more extensive village. Settlements in the area around go back to the Bronze Age but it was busiest in medieval times when the strip or lynchet farming system was used, and the 19th century (up to 1927) when there were operational tin mines nearby. Most of the buildings are now in ruins. The land is now part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate; in 2006 it won Silver prize in the Duke's Habitat Award which is "to encourage and recognise good conservation practices within farm management." Min Cullum of Challacombe won it by "developing the varied habitats on her farm which include unusual species such as wax caps and bog hoverfly." The farmer allows free access to anyone who wants to study the wildlife and archaeology of the farm. [NB there are at least three villages in Devon called Challacombe, this description relates to the one near Widecombe-in-the-Moor].

A track from Challacombe Farm to Headland Warren Farm with Hookney Down on the horizon

The bridleway continues to head towards Headland Warren Farm along the lower slopes of Challacombe Down. This land is a Scheduled Ancient Monument containing a medieval field system, several tinworks, part of a prehistoric stone hut circle settlement, a cairn and length of reave. Details are at: Link

A minor bridge over a small stream, presumably used at one time to gain access to mine workings. It may still be used occasionally, as the track down to it is grassy rather than overgrown. It is still shown on the Explorer map.

Challacombe is a farm that represents all that remains of a once much more extensive village. Settlements in the area around go back to the Bronze Age but it was busiest in medieval times when the strip or lynchet farming system was used, and the 19th century (up to 1927) when there were operational tin mines nearby. Most of the buildings are now in ruins. The land is now part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate; in 2006 it won Silver prize in the Duke's Habitat Award which is "to encourage and recognise good conservation practices within farm management." Min Cullum of Challacombe won it by "developing the varied habitats on her farm which include unusual species such as wax caps and bog hoverfly." The farmer allows free access to anyone who wants to study the wildlife and archaeology of the farm. [NB there are at least three villages in Devon called Challacombe, this description relates to the one near Widecombe-in-the-Moor].

Challacombe is a farm that represents all that remains of a once much more extensive village. Settlements in the area around go back to the Bronze Age but it was busiest in medieval times when the strip or lynchet farming system was used, and the 19th century (up to 1927) when there were operational tin mines nearby. Most of the buildings are now in ruins. The land is now part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate; in 2006 it won Silver prize in the Duke's Habitat Award which is "to encourage and recognise good conservation practices within farm management." Min Cullum of Challacombe won it by "developing the varied habitats on her farm which include unusual species such as wax caps and bog hoverfly." The farmer allows free access to anyone who wants to study the wildlife and archaeology of the farm. [NB there are at least three villages in Devon called Challacombe, this description relates to the one near Widecombe-in-the-Moor].

Challacombe is a farm that represents all that remains of a once much more extensive village. Settlements in the area around go back to the Bronze Age but it was busiest in medieval times when the strip or lynchet farming system was used, and the 19th century (up to 1927) when there were operational tin mines nearby. Most of the buildings are now in ruins. The land is now part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate; in 2006 it won Silver prize in the Duke's Habitat Award which is "to encourage and recognise good conservation practices within farm management." Min Cullum of Challacombe won it by "developing the varied habitats on her farm which include unusual species such as wax caps and bog hoverfly." The farmer allows free access to anyone who wants to study the wildlife and archaeology of the farm. [NB there are at least three villages in Devon called Challacombe, this description relates to the one near Widecombe-in-the-Moor].

Challacombe is a farm that represents all that remains of a once much more extensive village. Settlements in the area around go back to the Bronze Age but it was busiest in medieval times when the strip or lynchet farming system was used, and the 19th century (up to 1927) when there were operational tin mines nearby. Most of the buildings are now in ruins. The land is now part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate; in 2006 it won Silver prize in the Duke's Habitat Award which is "to encourage and recognise good conservation practices within farm management." Min Cullum of Challacombe won it by "developing the varied habitats on her farm which include unusual species such as wax caps and bog hoverfly." The farmer allows free access to anyone who wants to study the wildlife and archaeology of the farm. [NB there are at least three villages in Devon called Challacombe, this description relates to the one near Widecombe-in-the-Moor].

Challacombe is a farm that represents all that remains of a once much more extensive village. Settlements in the area around go back to the Bronze Age but it was busiest in medieval times when the strip or lynchet farming system was used, and the 19th century (up to 1927) when there were operational tin mines nearby. Most of the buildings are now in ruins. The land is now part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate; in 2006 it won Silver prize in the Duke's Habitat Award which is "to encourage and recognise good conservation practices within farm management." Min Cullum of Challacombe won it by "developing the varied habitats on her farm which include unusual species such as wax caps and bog hoverfly." The farmer allows free access to anyone who wants to study the wildlife and archaeology of the farm. [NB there are at least three villages in Devon called Challacombe, this description relates to the one near Widecombe-in-the-Moor].

The bridleway passes through the gate onto Challacombe Farm. The other side of the gate is open access land and a Scheduled Ancient Monument containing a medieval field system, several tinworks, part of a prehistoric stone hut circle settlement, a cairn and length of reave. Details are at: Link

Alongside the bridleway is this information board giving details of the farm. See Link

The wheels are seen from the bridleway. This land is a Scheduled Ancient Monument containing a medieval field system, several tinworks, part of a prehistoric stone hut circle settlement, a cairn and length of reave. Details are at: Link

The bridleway continues towards the farm. Hamel Down in the distance. This land is a Scheduled Ancient Monument containing a medieval field system, several tinworks, part of a prehistoric stone hut circle settlement, a cairn and length of reave. Details are at: Link

Looking, from the bridleway, across the road to an area used for the storage of bales of haylage.