A 5-mile walk linking the two museums of north Dartmoor – Finch Foundry in Sticklepath, and the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton. This route crosses open moorland, and care should be taken before setting out – follow Dartmoor National Parks’ code for your safety. Children may collect a letterbox stamp at the start and finish of the route – ask at reception.

1

Start at Finch Foundry which is owned and run by the National Trust. The Foundry was home to a thriving business in Sticklepath, making agricultural hand tools for Devon’s farmers. Go through the gate at the bottom of the car park at the back of the Foundry and follow the track through the grassed area known locally as Billy Green.

2

Walk alongside the river and over the footbridge. Turn right. Once through the gate take the right fork.

3

Keeping the River Taw on your right, you will pass Cleave Mill on the opposite bank which was once owned by the Pearse family that included Tom Pearce of Widecombe Fair fame. The leat to the Foundry starts here, and has been in existence since at least 1147.

4

Continue on the track through Skaigh Woods. After approximately a half mile cross the footbridge. Follow the track up a slight slope, turning left onto a wide path at the top, and follow this for approximately 1⁄2 mile until you come to the bottom of a sharp incline. This is Belstone Cleave, which features in Henry Williamson’s novel “Tarka the Otter”.

5

Climb the short incline to the top and turn left, along the path of an old leat. Follow this towards the village of Belstone.

6

Walk across the common into the village. You will be able to see the back of the Tors Inn Pub. Keeping the pub on your left, follow the road to the T-junction. The old Belstone Telegraph Office can be seen on the opposite side of the road. Turn left here.

For an easier walk avoiding the more difficult moor terrain, turn left at the Telegraph Office then take the next turning right. Walk along this road for 11⁄2 miles (21⁄2 km). Pass under the road and railway bridges and bear left. Take the left fork into a small lane, passing a car parking area at Fatherford. After going through the gate, cross Charlottes Bridge and join the trail again at Point 10, keeping the river to your right.

7

Continue on into a dead-end road passing Belstone Water Works and through the moor gate. Stay on the track with the wall to your right. Keeping the wall close, walk to the crest of the hill. The East Okement River flows in the distance. Follow this track down onto a broader track, and turn right here. Continue for a further 1/3rd mile, passing the ruins of Watchet Hill cottage and noting the bridge across Chapel Ford. You will come to a clearly defined grassy track leading down to the river. Turn here and descend down to the bridge.

8

Across the bridge, follow the footpath keeping the river to your right. Bear right at the Dartmoor Way sign. Shortly the track will lead you to a rocky outcrop. Look for the handrails which will lead you down past spectacular waterfalls.

9

At the bottom of the slope continue along the footpath following the river downstream. Be careful here – there are some difficult rocks to negotiate by the waters’ edge. At Halstock Woods look for a gap in the stone wall. Once through this, follow the footpath to your right leading to a bridge across a tributary. Follow the ‘Dartmoor Way’ waymarkers, keeping the river to your right. The footpath will eventually lead you under the A30 road bridge and a 5- arched railway bridge at Fatherford.

For a shorter walk, you can start/finish here. There is a car parking area across ‘Charlottes Bridge’

10

Go through the gate at Fatherford and continue along the footpath, through Tramlines Wood. Take the first footpath on your right (by the green bench) down a steep slope to Simmons Park. Cross the bridge into the grounds of Okehampton College. Turn left, crossing the next bridge a short distance along. Turn right and follow the path through Simmons Park to the exit.

11

On leaving Simmons Park, turn left and follow the road past the Post Office. Turn left at the crossroads, and left again into the Museum Courtyard.

12

Here you will find the Victorian Tea Rooms, Okehampton Visitor Information Point and the Museum of Dartmoor Life where there is a fascinating selection of artefacts, photographs and information about Dartmoor and the people who lived there.