TORS OF DARTMOOR
a database of both lesser- & well-known rocks and outcrops
Lower Leighon Tor One of the most impressive of all lesser known tors on Dartmoor can be found on the lower north-west slopes of Black Hill some 400 metres or so to the north of Leighon Tor. Having mostly escaped comment in the literature of Dartmoor until 2000 when the name of Lower Leighon Tor first appeared in Dartmoor Magazine number 58, this is a truly magnificent tor that is broken up into four main sections on the hillside above Leighon Farm.  The upper part is huge rising to some 3 metres on its north side and has evidence of attempted rock splitting where typical tare and feather marks can be seen. Below here is a giant pyramidal rock and further downhill more sprawling rocks culminating in a huge flat topped overhang a mere 50 metres above the track to Leighon this being the most striking and memorable part of the tor. Despite the size of the ruin here nothing of the tor is shown on popular OS maps.  Indeed William Crossing is the only early commentator to offer some insight into this area when he refers to this as a place where the Reverend Prebendary Wolfe the then inhabitant of Leighon (c1900) claimed to have seen as many as thirteen buzzards settling, and along with sightings of breeding ravens and a golden eagle the rocks have long been a haven for wildlife. It is easy to see why, hidden as they are among a number of spreading holly trees the enormous rocks here offer considerable shelter and protection. An altogether superior tor quite neglected in the literature until recent times it is well worth a visit and if you are prepared to go down far enough you will not be disappointed. 
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