TORS OF DARTMOOR

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Blacksmith's Shop (Sig Head)

Old Smith's Shop, Black Rock

Described by Dave Brewer (DB 2002) as a 'considerable outcrop of rock almost at the head of the northern arm of the Sig above the right bank', this is indeed a 'mini tor' of two main masses below and to the south of the B3357 road that are set on the west side of the infant river.

Views are commanded north towards the huge bosses of Hay Tor whereas south the river twists its way towards Bag Tor. We also learn from DB that the more recent name of 'Old Smith's Shop' has been applied the rocks. On top of the southerly outcrop the large letters of 'I' and 'B' have been inscribed marking the boundary between Ilsington and Bag Tor Manor.

Another much smaller rock with a similar inscription lies prone in the mire 50 metres or so to the south east. As DB observes neither of these bound stones are recorded by the Ordnance Survey.

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Blacksmith's Shop (Sig Head)
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 7571 7646
Height:
365m
Parish:
Ilsington
Tor Classification:
Small
Access:
Public
Rock Type:
Granite
Credit:
Dave Brewer
Reference / Further Reading:
Dave Brewer: Dartmoor Boundary Markers (2002)

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