Blacka Tor (Challacombe)

Blackaton Tor, Black Tor

Either accessed from the road running between Challacombe Down and Hameldown by passing through a succession of fields, or from the open gate to the east, you will reach this short granite tor on top of the hill. It is a pleasing flattish outcrop with a magnificent vista, especially of Hameldown and Soussons.

Earliest reference to the tor found is March 1906, an article titled 'South Devon Foxhounds' in 'The Field, The Country Gentleman's Newspaper'; "But the pack picked up the line and carried it slowly to Challacombe House, then swung to the right, and with a merry cry ran over the inclosures in Challacombe Farm nearly to Black Tor."

Hemery also mentions it in 'High Dartmoor' p.631; "This, although enclosed, nevertheless has a rocky, untamed summit known as 'Black Down' - and the rocks crowning form as Blacka Tor (approx. 1,190 feet). A disintegrated pile sprawled mostly on the west side of the down, it affords a fine view of the W. Webburn valley from Grendon, across the river is the west, to Headland, with its tributary Redwater Brook.."

Blacka Tor (Challacombe)
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 6941 7847
Height:	381m
Parish:	Widecombe in the Moor
Tor Classification:	Summit
Access:	Public
Rock Type:	Granite
Credit:	The British Newspaper Archive Eric Hemery
Reference:	The British Newspaper Archive: The Field, The Country Gentleman's Newspaper (March 3rd 1906) Eric Hemery: High Dartmoor Tim Jenkinson: East Dartmoor The Hidden Landscape: Rocks and Tors

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