Foxtor Mires

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Devon West Devon

England

Foxtor Mires

Modern Memorial Cross next to Devonport Leat
Modern Memorial Cross next to Devonport Leat Credit: Sandy Gerrard

Foxtor Mires, located in Devon, England, is a stunning coastal marshland characterized by its unique and diverse ecosystem. The area is situated within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

Covering an extensive area, Foxtor Mires is primarily composed of salt marshes and saltings, which are areas of coastal land that are flooded by seawater during high tides. These marshes are home to a wide range of plant species that have adapted to the harsh saline conditions, including cordgrasses, samphires, and sea lavender. This diverse flora provides crucial habitats for numerous bird species, such as redshanks, curlews, and sandpipers, which can be observed feeding and nesting in the marshes.

The marshland is dissected by several small streams and channels, which are influenced by the tides and contribute to the overall biodiversity of the area. These watercourses support various aquatic plants and animals, including fish, crabs, and wading birds.

Visitors to Foxtor Mires can explore the marshland via a network of footpaths and boardwalks that allow for easy access while minimizing disruption to the delicate ecosystem. The site also offers panoramic views of the surrounding coastline, providing a picturesque backdrop for nature walks and birdwatching.

Foxtor Mires serves as an important habitat for both resident and migratory wildlife, and its protection is crucial for the continued preservation of this valuable coastal marsh ecosystem.

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Foxtor Mires Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.518707/-3.9524384 or Grid Reference SX6170. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Modern Memorial Cross next to Devonport Leat
Modern Memorial Cross next to Devonport Leat
The Devonport Leat tunnel near Nun's Cross
The Devonport Leat tunnel near Nun's Cross
Nun's Cross Farm The main building at Nun's Cross Farm
Nun's Cross Farm
The main building at Nun's Cross Farm
Old Boundary Marker near South Hessary Tor, Walkhampton parish Estate Boundary Marker - Water Company in parish of Walkhampton (West Devon District), South of South Hessary Tor.

Inscription reads:-
PCWW
1917

To be surveyed

Milestone Society National ID: DV_PCWW09em
Old Boundary Marker near South Hessary Tor, Walkhampton parish
Estate Boundary Marker - Water Company in parish of Walkhampton (West Devon District), South of South Hessary Tor. Inscription reads:- PCWW 1917 To be surveyed Milestone Society National ID: DV_PCWW09em
Old Wayside Cross - Nun's Cross (Siward's Cross) Nun's Cross (Siward's Cross), old head, shaft & base, Starkey No.04 by the moorland path, in parish of Dartmoor Forest (West Devon District), on the saddle, close to the ruin of Nun's Cross Farm, near a stone wall on open ground.

Scheduled Monument.
List Entry Number: 1009096 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1009096" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1009096">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Surveyed

Milestone Society National ID: DVWD_DAM09
Old Wayside Cross - Nun's Cross (Siward's Cross)
Nun's Cross (Siward's Cross), old head, shaft & base, Starkey No.04 by the moorland path, in parish of Dartmoor Forest (West Devon District), on the saddle, close to the ruin of Nun's Cross Farm, near a stone wall on open ground. Scheduled Monument. List Entry Number: 1009096 LinkExternal link Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: DVWD_DAM09
Old Wayside Cross on Dartmoor, near Wheal Anne mine Whealham Bottom Cross (Foxton Cross), standing stone, Starkey No.21 by the footpath, in parish of Dartmoor Forest (West Devon District), Whealham Bottom, near Wheal Anne mine, close to the path from Nuns Cross, in open moorland.

Foxton Cross is a Scheduled Monument, but the grid ref is different from the O.S. map. List Entry Number: 1002559
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1002559" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1002559">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>

Surveyed

Milestone Society National ID: DVWD_DAM10
Old Wayside Cross on Dartmoor, near Wheal Anne mine
Whealham Bottom Cross (Foxton Cross), standing stone, Starkey No.21 by the footpath, in parish of Dartmoor Forest (West Devon District), Whealham Bottom, near Wheal Anne mine, close to the path from Nuns Cross, in open moorland. Foxton Cross is a Scheduled Monument, but the grid ref is different from the O.S. map. List Entry Number: 1002559 LinkExternal link Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: DVWD_DAM10
Old Wayside Cross - Nun's Cross (Siward's Cross) Nun's Cross (Siward's Cross), old head, shaft & base, Starkey No.04 by the moorland path, in parish of Dartmoor Forest (West Devon District), on the saddle, close to the ruin of Nun's Cross Farm, near a stone wall on open ground.

Surveyed

Milestone Society National ID: DVWD_DAM09
Old Wayside Cross - Nun's Cross (Siward's Cross)
Nun's Cross (Siward's Cross), old head, shaft & base, Starkey No.04 by the moorland path, in parish of Dartmoor Forest (West Devon District), on the saddle, close to the ruin of Nun's Cross Farm, near a stone wall on open ground. Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: DVWD_DAM09
Plymouth Water Works Boundary Stone One of many Boundary Markers on Dartmoor. Not far from Nun's Cross and Nun's Cross Farm, (which looks to be used for military purposes).

Milestone Society National ID: DV_PCWW26em
Plymouth Water Works Boundary Stone
One of many Boundary Markers on Dartmoor. Not far from Nun's Cross and Nun's Cross Farm, (which looks to be used for military purposes). Milestone Society National ID: DV_PCWW26em
Drivage Bottom Walkhampton Bridleway 17 crosses the small valley, seen from its crossing of the Devonport Leat in the foreground.
Drivage Bottom
Walkhampton Bridleway 17 crosses the small valley, seen from its crossing of the Devonport Leat in the foreground.
Devonport Leat Approaching Older Bridge
Devonport Leat Approaching Older Bridge
Recent Burning Controlled burning of old gorse and grass is a normal part of moorland management. This burn has taken place in the last week. Devonport leat here forms a convenient firebreak.
Recent Burning
Controlled burning of old gorse and grass is a normal part of moorland management. This burn has taken place in the last week. Devonport leat here forms a convenient firebreak.
Following Devonport Leat The Devonport Leat is a long channel feeding Dartmoor water towards the Plymouth suburb of Devonport.  It contours around the open moorland, here heading towards Drivage Bottom, with a good path following one side or the other.
Following Devonport Leat
The Devonport Leat is a long channel feeding Dartmoor water towards the Plymouth suburb of Devonport. It contours around the open moorland, here heading towards Drivage Bottom, with a good path following one side or the other.
Older Bridge The Devonport Leat is a long channel feeding Dartmoor water towards the Plymouth suburb of Devonport.  This bridge is marked on the map as "Older Bridge".  Whether that is an actual name or whether it is thus identified to distinguish it from a newer bridge I don't know.  Our leader chose to turn left here onto a bridleway, only to rejoin the path following the leat a few hundred metres further on.  I know not why.
Older Bridge
The Devonport Leat is a long channel feeding Dartmoor water towards the Plymouth suburb of Devonport. This bridge is marked on the map as "Older Bridge". Whether that is an actual name or whether it is thus identified to distinguish it from a newer bridge I don't know. Our leader chose to turn left here onto a bridleway, only to rejoin the path following the leat a few hundred metres further on. I know not why.
Drivage Bottom The Devonport Leat is a long channel feeding Dartmoor water towards the Plymouth suburb of Devonport.  It can be seen to our left, then contouring round the hillside above a depression called Drivage Bottom.  A bridleway runs to our right, but we are following the leat.
Drivage Bottom
The Devonport Leat is a long channel feeding Dartmoor water towards the Plymouth suburb of Devonport. It can be seen to our left, then contouring round the hillside above a depression called Drivage Bottom. A bridleway runs to our right, but we are following the leat.
Older Bridge This small bridge spans the Devonport Leat which used to carry water from the moor to Devonport, Plymouth.
Older Bridge
This small bridge spans the Devonport Leat which used to carry water from the moor to Devonport, Plymouth.
West Devon : Ivybridge Lane A path crossing over Dartmoor between South Hessary Tor and Nun's Cross.
West Devon : Ivybridge Lane
A path crossing over Dartmoor between South Hessary Tor and Nun's Cross.
West Devon : Ivybridge Lane A path crossing over Dartmoor between South Hessary Tor and Nun's Cross.
West Devon : Ivybridge Lane
A path crossing over Dartmoor between South Hessary Tor and Nun's Cross.
West Devon : Ivybridge Lane A path crossing over Dartmoor between South Hessary Tor and Nun's Cross.
West Devon : Ivybridge Lane
A path crossing over Dartmoor between South Hessary Tor and Nun's Cross.
Show me another place!

Foxtor Mires is located at Grid Ref: SX6170 (Lat: 50.518707, Lng: -3.9524384)

Administrative County: Devon

District: West Devon

Police Authority: Devon and Cornwall

What 3 Words

///confusion.respect.blackmail. Near Princetown, Devon

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Foxtor Mires

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 50.518707,-3.9524384
Goldsmith's cross
Historic: archaeological_site
Lat/Long: 50.5147456/-3.9527491
Man Made: mineshaft
Lat/Long: 50.5224704/-3.9559839
Man Made: mineshaft
Lat/Long: 50.5226211/-3.9557915
Man Made: mineshaft
Lat/Long: 50.5228179/-3.9551707
Man Made: mineshaft
Lat/Long: 50.5227336/-3.9548542
Man Made: mineshaft
Lat/Long: 50.5211929/-3.956859
Man Made: mineshaft
Lat/Long: 50.5211456/-3.9569068
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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