TORS OF DARTMOOR
a database of both lesser- & well-known rocks and outcrops
Canonteign Fern Garden Rocks Magnificent rocks can be discovered by walking into the Fern Garden, within the Canonteign Estate, where a footpath weaves its way under huge outcrops either side of the watercourse which is the original stream that carved this valley. The rocks span both sides of it, the northern a more compact outcrop of pale, non-granite rocks with irregular jointings. The southern are equally as pronounced and span a longer part of the valley side where at their conclusion, you can stand atop the beginning of the original waterfall and gaze down at the seemingly endless drop down the hillside. Their dark colours and jagged faces are quite a sight to behold.  This is another magical place laid out with ferns under the instruction of Lady Susan Exmouth in 1880 through what Peter Boyd (2017) describes as 'a small, quarry-like hanging valley through which the original waterfall stream still flows.' Around this time the water from the stream was diverted into a leat to cascade through and over the nearby rocks in spectacular fashion. This can be seen outside of the attraction much further up the hillside at a point where a track leading through Birch Cleave Wood comes to a sharp bend near Shuttamoor Mine, which is open access land.  As with other areas of the Estate, information boards dotted around the attraction enable the visitor to gain both appreciation and understanding of the special landscape we have here. These rocks really are worth seeing and no visit to Canonteign Falls would be complete without paying a visit to the Fern Garden, especially in summer where a proliferation of foxgloves add colour to the scene. 
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