TORS OF DARTMOOR

a database of both lesser- & well-known rocks and outcrops

Home Search Map The East Access About Team Social Blog

Bel Tor

Bell Tor, Bellettor

After Vixen, Bel Tor, sat so close to a car park bearing its name, is probably the most well known forbidden outcrop on Dartmoor. It has been closed to the public for over 25 years now. William Crossing, in his 'Guide to Dartmoor' tells us that; "On the left within a farm enclosure is Bel Tor, which although only a small pile, is sufficiently interesting to call for notice. A gate in the wall will enable the rambler to visit it." Sadly, that gate now has the obligatory 'private' sign, and, if landowner permission cannot be sought, the public must be content with gazing from the perimeter walls well over one hundred metres away.

Walking the perimeter, enticing glimpses of the extent of the granite can be had, especially if you stand at Mel Tor, looking north. You will see two main outcrops on a hill being consumed by gorse. For a description of the outcrops, both William Crossing and Eric Hemery give an insight from those days when access was not an issue. Hemery, in 'High Dartmoor', says that from a distance, the tor "offers little of interest" but then goes on to describe a logan stone and three rock basins. Crossing tells of the largest rock basin; "On the surface of a logan, curiously poised and appearing as though it would topple over at any moment, is a rock basin measuring 38 inches by 32, with shelving sides, and to this a tradition attaches. It used to be said that good fortune would await anyone seeing the reflection of the rising sun collected in it."

Ordnance Survey maps show us that there is also a triangulation pillar on its top, but this cannot be seen from a distance thanks to the encroaching gorse and bracken. Looking at the trigpointing.uk website, the forbidden location of pillar number 3469 makes it one sought by enthusiasts, who likely visit more often than tor baggers. It is disappointing that this tor is incarcerated with no visitor privileges. Whilst the fields surrounding the tor are farmed, often inhabited by cattle, a permissive footpath would be welcomed for this one.

icon
icon
Bel Tor
The map above is not a navigation tool and we recommend that the grid reference shown below is used in conjunction with an Ordnance Survey map and that training in its use with a compass is advised.
Grid Ref:
SX 6965 7299
Height:
354m
Parish:
Widecombe in the Moor
Tor Classification:
Summit
Access:
Private (but visible from public land)
Rock Type:
Granite
Credit:
Ordnance Survey
Reference / Further Reading:
Ordnance Survey Maps
William Crossing: Guide to Dartmoor
Eric Hemery: High Dartmoor
Trigpointing UK: TP1244 - Bel Tor

Please Support Us

We are proud to see the names of lesser-known tors are now being used more commonly on other websites and whilst this is to be encouraged we do request that, should you wish to use the information on this page, you provide a backlink to the website as reference, by copying the relevant address:

https://www.torsofdartmoor.co.uk/tor-page.php?tor=bel-tor

Please also consider a small donation to the upkeep of the site; any contribution goes toward the fees to keep the database online and any costs incurred when undertaking research such as subscriptions to online archives.