In Gems in a Granite Setting (page 79) William Crossing describes a visit to Bovey River at Horsham Steps and explains that: "Lower down there are footbridges and by the higher one the visitor may reach Water Rock where is a magnificent view of the valley and its surroundings."
Whilst the footbridge is no longer in evidence what appears to be the Rock in question can still be reached via a footpath that leads through that part marked as 'Woodash' on OS maps. Now almost entirely shrouded in vegetation the Rock stands about 50 metres above the track and rises to around 4 metres in height on its east side.
Unfortunately, the view described by Crossing is now mostly obscured by trees, but this was evidently once an important landmark in the area as the author also refers to it in his 'Guide to Dartmoor' (p307) and it is marked by name on the OS 1882 map of the area on the slopes here of what Crossing calls Water Hill. The name no longer appears on the modern-day versions. In addition, Mudge also names the Rock in his map of Dartmoor 1809.
Water Rock
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 7668 8083
Height:
210m
Parish:
Manaton
Tor Classification:
Valley Side
Access:
Public
Rock Type:
Granite
Credit:
William Crossing Tim Jenkinson Colonel William Mudge
Reference / Further Reading:
Colonel William Mudge: Map Survey of Devon 1809 William Crossing: Gems in a Granite Setting & Guide to Dartmoor Tim Jenkinson: Dartmoor Magazine Issue 133 Winter 2018: The Rock Piles of East Dartmoor: The Hidden Landscape Part 2 page 39
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