First Walk of 2021: Nun's Cross

 Our first walk of 2021 and where better to go than Dartmoor? Because of the crowds enjoying the snow, our first choice destination was not attractive and we decided to go through Princetown and head out towards Whiteworks and Nun's Cross. As we thought, this isolated part of the moor was relatively deserted and the number of people we met was less than around 10.

The weather was cold, with a few snow showers - bracing is perhaps the best description. A great place to walk and one that left me feeling that this was what walking on Dartmoor was all about.

If you look at the route map, you'll see that it wanders around a little - unintentionally. Lost = not knowing where you are. Lost with a GPS = knowing exactly where you are but where you are isn't where you thought you were and where you wanted to be!

We clocked 4.8 miles for this one. We started just north of Nun's Cross and headed out on the track to the Eylesbarrow Mine complex. The intention then was to take a track back to Nun's Cross Farm but this stretch didn't exactly go according to plan because of an indistinct path. After a bit of rather tiring tussock negotiation, we got back on our route.

Panorama towards Burrator. There was very little snow up here, which was surprising as it was at a considerably higher elevation than we were on our previous walk from Norsworthy Bridge. This was about as good as the visibility got.

Siward's Cross or Nun's Cross. This cross stands at the junction of two main tracks across the moor; The Abbots’ way and the Monks’ Path. Both tracks link the Abbey at Buckfast with those at Tavistock and Buckland. The Monks’ Path takes an East/West direction from Fox Tor Farm, passing through Nuns’ Cross, through to Crazywell Pool and beyond. Whereas the Abbots’ Way takes a more South West/ North East direction from Plym Ford to Princetown. The ancient name of Siward’s Cross was quoted in the 1240 perambulation of the Forest of Dartmoor documents. This name is thought to have derived from Earl Siward, a Saxon, who owned the lands around Tavistock prior to the Norman Conquest. The word ‘Siward’ is engraved across the arms of the eastern face of the cross. No-one, it appears, can confidently give the reason for its alternative name of Nuns’ Cross. There is no historical evidence linking either the cross or the area with any nuns. The most plausible explanation is that it is a derivation of the Cornu-Celtic word ‘Nans’. This means a valley, dale or ravine and, as the cross stands near the head of the Swincombe Valley, this could have given rise to the name of Nun’s Cross.

After Nun's Cross, Jan's Cross. She wasn't, of course, but her customary good humour was tested when we had to make our deviation.

The icy track up to Eylesbarrow.

Eylesbarrow mine was a tin mine that was active during the first half of the 19th century. In its early years it was one of the largest and most prosperous of the Dartmoor tin mines. This building, I would surmise, had some sort of mechanical function because of the size of the two graniite blocks either side of it.

A wheel pit that was fed by an overshot leat. For water-powered features like this, the water could be channelled many miles and the area is pocked with leats, water courses and reservoirs.

Although you can't see it, down at the bottom of this valley lies the nascent River Plym.

A frosty panoramic view to the east.

Nun’s Cross Farm is a well known landmark on the ‘high Moor’ to most of us Dartmoor walkers. The Dartmoor Rescue Group have used it as a base to co-ordinate call-outs on the Southern Moor and is currently used as a temporary bunk-house by a local school (Mount Kelly in Tavistock). It is also used for school parties, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Ten Tors etc and it can even be hired out privately by the brave and hardy for £55 a night. Quite a bargain as it's equipped  for 36 people.
The house was built-in 1870 by a John Hooper who had leased the land from the Dutchy of Cornwall and after he and his wife took occupancy in 1871, they proceeded to raise a family. Mr & Mrs Hooper lived well into their 90’s and after that the house itself fell into disrepair and dilapidation.