A SERIES of walks exploring the remains of some of the railways and tramways which have run across Dartmoor in years gone by will take place this Bank Holiday weekend. From Saturday, May 26 to Monday, May 28, Dartmoor National Park guides will lead participants through some historical examples set in moorland landscapes. Dartmoor's landscape was once a hive of industrial activity with materials being transported from the depths of the high moor. The remains of this transport network remain today, a reminder of Dartmoor's cultural heritage. To set the scene, an illustrated talk, entitled Railways of the Moor, will be given tomorrow (Friday) at 8pm at Meavy Village Hall, by Len Copley. On Saturday a five-hour walk exploring Tyrwhitt's horse-drawn tramway is taking place, with participants meeting outside the High Moorland Visitor Centre in Princetown at 10am. Also on Saturday there is an opportunity to join a four-hour walk to the remains of the Rattlebrook peat railway – constructed to link Rattlebrook peat works to the main line at Bridestowe Station. The walk starts at 10.30am at Lydford High Down. On Sunday at 10am participants meet at Okehampton Youth Hostel for a six-hour walk to visit the Withered Arm. Part of this line has been transformed into the traffic-free walking and cycling route. Also on Sunday a six-hour walk explores the Zeal Tor Tramway and Red Lake China Clay Works, starting at 10.30am from Shipley Bridge. On Bank Holiday Monday a three-hour walk departs from Shaugh Bridge at 10am to visit the Dewerstone Tramway. The final walk leaves Haytor Lower Car Park at 2pm to explore Templar's Tramway, one of the best known of Dartmoor's tramways, built to carry granite from quarries in the Haytor area. If participants travel to one of DNPA's guided walks by public transport, and show the ticket to the guide, they can join the walk free of charge. For more information contact Mike Nendick, communications officer for DNPA, on 01626 832093.
