TORS OF DARTMOOR

Sourton Tors

Sourton Tor, Granite Tor (possible site), Granate Tor (possible site)

Probably better known for the long time disused Sourton Ice Works on Prewley Moor to the north-east, the actual Sourton Tor group has been somewhat overlooked in the literature of the moor. That is surprising as the impressive rockpiles here form a large and sprawling collection of metamorphic outcrops on the north-western periphery of Dartmoor. There are beautiful views to be had from the summit OS trig point that was erected c1936 along with others across the UK to record distances and heights; "Once in place, on a clear day surveyors could see at least two other trig points from their own. Then, careful measurements of the angles between other trig points triangulated the lands of Great Britain. Positions of all land boundaries, roads, railways, bridges, and other infrastructure could be accurately plotted by the network."

The tors here are a conspicuous landmark when coming back from Cornwall along the A30 into West Devon where the black jagged piles are a welcome sight set up on the slope to the right of the dual carriageway, that is if not shrouded in mist and rain.

Part of the problem in their recognition may stem from the opening of the Okehampton Military Camp in 1894 and the subsequent commandeering of large parts of the north moor for military manoeuvres and combat practice. This included the erection of a flagpole on Sourton Tors, probably somewhere near the summit, to warn visitors of live firing and the need to stay away from this part of the moor - although something was already happening prior to this date according to this account from September 1892:

"A dismounted portion of the Royal Artillery arrived at Okehampton Station on Monday, and proceeded to the camp, where a company of the Royal Engineers have been for nearly a month past preparing the camp and repairing the approaches and road making. They have been quartered in the huts that have been erected during the winter and the erection of other buildings for the accommodation of the permanent staff &c, is still being proceeded with by the contractors. Precautions have been taken to ensure public safety around the Okehampton range during the artillery gun practice, which opens there next week, and continues well into September. Danger flags are to be hoisted on Yes Tor, Watchett Hill, Hanging Stone, Kitty Tor and Sourton Tor one hour before the practice begins, and that portion of the Moor that is indicated by freely sprinkled notice boards is then unsafe. Practice terminates at 5 p m, and never begins before 8 a m. On Sundays there is to be no practice, and as a rule Saturdays are "off days.""

This exclusion of Sourton from public access might have dissuaded early commentators such as William Crossing from exploration as at one time only Sundays were accessible. This would explain the absence of anything substantial in his books. Nowadays in the first half of the 21st Century it is free from inclusion in the Okehampton Range as the boundary has been moved further to the east to give villagers and visitors alike the opportunity to walk without fear. More disquiet is expressed at the time from 1894:

"I hear that there is not unanimous satisfaction with the War Office Authorities for using the northern part of Dartmoor as an artillery practice ground. Around Sourton the farmers and graziers complain that the cattle and ponies are driven from their land to considerable distances, and that the continual firing from guns and mortars is not always unattended with danger to livestock. It is true that compensation was given to the owner of a pony, which withheld in any case of loss or damage. But another was shot, and it is not to be supposed indemnity would be cause of complaint is that during the summer months hundreds of visitors are deterred from visiting the most interesting parts of the moor in the Okehampton district. I was on Yes Tor recently, and from there towards Sourton Tor and Cawsand Beacon the Moor is strewn with exploded shells, and other warlike debris. A few cannons were left on the ranges, and I came upon three dummy men lying dead upon the heather, their corpses punctured by bullets."

We look to Eric Hemery (1983) for hopefully an accurate a history of the Ice Works where he writes: "The venture of Sourton Ice Works dates from about 1875 and endured for only a decade. Requirements for its successful operation were all in hand on the north-east shoulder of Sourton Down: water, high incidence of frost, exposure to icy winds, accessibility for horse and cart. Water was conveyed from a hillside spring into long, shallow, rectangular pits, in which deepening ice invariably formed during the long winter months on this bitterly cold, north-west slope of northern Dartmoor. Ice was cut into blocks and laid for storage in specially dug trenches."

"When needed for transportation, it was transferred to a walled pit inside the rectangular house, from which it could be loaded in the minimum of time onto waiting carts. In those day before mechanical refrigeration, ice was much in demand by fishmongers for the preservation of their stock; the Plymouth merchants were supplied from Sourton by horse-and-wagon." There are still some groundwork indentations and furrows to show where the works took place with gateposts and other upright stones of interest. There is also a suggestion that a part of this range probably way to the south is the so-called Granate Tor often cited in the literature but its position never confirmed. However, the rock type here is not granite so we may need to look elsewhere. There is also the added complication of the site of East Tor somewhere on the slopes but that is probably a William Crossing misnomer.

One of the best ways to access to this super range of tors is without doubt a steady climb from Prewley Moor to the north. Alternatively, if able to park around the village green below Sourton Church, it is possible to climb the slope from the west where a track leads up between enclosure walls to greet the lower rocks that in misty weather memorably loom up out of the gloom.

In recent years the Tors here have received a rare commendation from Josephine Collingwood where she grades them all as an 8/10. This is one of her more encouraging assessments and is fully justified. Her notes include: "Big views, easy access, notable geology and the fascinating ice works". She also highlights the abandoned apple crusher segment that is set on Sourton Common, albeit a good way SE of the main outcrops that are, according to the author, "too many to count". So much to explore.

Sourton Tors
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 5433 8983
Height:	440m
Parish:	Sourton
Tor Classification:	Summit
Access:	Public
Rock Type:	Metamorphic
Credit:	Ordnance Survey William Crossing
Reference / Further Reading:	Collingwood, J. (2023): Dartmoor Tors Compendium Crossing, W. (1912): Guide to Dartmoor Ordnance Survey Maps Ordnance Survey: What is a trig pillar? | OS Maps Discover Western Times (1892): 23rd September Western Times (1894): The Artillery on Dartmoor, 11th May