The pretty village of Belstone lies on the very northern edge of Dartmoor and is situated only a few minutes’ drive from Acorn Cottage, so offers an ideal starting point for long walks into the heart of the moors. It is dominated by Cosdon Beacon, also known as Cawsand, which at 550m is one of the highest tors on Dartmoor – on a clear day it is possible to see both the north and south coastlines of Devon! The nearby remains of pre-historic settlements show that there has been human activity in this area for centuries, and the village itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
Just to the south of the village, on Belstone Common, you’ll find the Nine Maidens stone circle. Legend has it that the circle was formed when nine local maidens were turned to stone as a punishment for dancing on the Sabbath. In reality, the circle dates back to the Bronze Age, and marks the site of a burial mound. If you count the stones, you’ll also find that there are considerably more than nine!
If you walk out of the village towards Taw Marsh, you’ll come across the Belstone Bell, also known as the Walrus Stone, for fairly obvious reasons! Further on, you’ll find the Irishman’s Wall as it climbs to the top of Belstone Tor. This wall is reputed to have been built by Irish workers, directed by a land-grabber called Matthew Crawford, who wished to enclose part of the moor for his own private use. However, the locals were having none of it and tore the wall down. Perched on the top of Belstone Tor is the Logan Stone – a large stone which is so finely balanced that only a small amount of force causes it to rock.
Belstone Cleave is situated to the east of the village and offers a circular walk, through a wooded valley above the River Taw and back to the village via a quiet lane. Alternatively, you can continue to follow the river into the village of Sticklepath and visit fascinating Finch Foundry, the last water-powered forge in England.
Should you need refreshments after a long walk, there is a friendly pub (The Tors), with outside tables where you can sit and admire the view, and The Old School Tearoom in the village. But beware – anyone who misbehaves may end up in the Belstone stocks!