Haytor Granite Tramway, Haytor Vale, Dartmoor National Park

Haytor Granite Tramway, Haytor Vale, Dartmoor National Park

Up on Haytor Down, near Haytor Quarry, is a big lump of granite into which are carved the words Templer Way Haytor - Teignmouth.

The Templer Way is a modern recreation trail following the route of the old Haytor Granite Tramway on which granite was transported from the high moor down to the coast.

Built in 1820 by George Templer of Stover House, the tramway ran down to Stover Canal. The canal was built by George's father James Templer II between 1790 and 1792 to transport clay. Today, the canal is a dry channel near Stover School and Stover Country Park. It runs for a couple of miles between Stover and Newton Abbot. The River Teign flows from Newton Abbot to the Teign Estuary and Teignmouth completing the route.

In parts the tramway is remarkably well preserved. On the ground, you'll see rectangular lengths of granite joined to form the tramway. These are particularly impressive on Haytor Down and in Yarner Wood. The canal basin down by Stover is also fascinating.