Taw Plain and Taw Marsh, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park
Walk south from Belstone village and you come to a vast natural ampitheatre of moorland, river and rock. This is Taw Plain. At the southern end of the plain rises the conical Steeperton Tor. Two arms of high ground embrace the flat river plain. The high ground to the west is formed by Belstone Tor and Oke Tor. To the east are the huge domed masses of Cosdon Hill, White Hill and Metheral Hill. The River Taw meanders down the centre of the plain. Roughly in its centre is Taw Marsh.
Stand on top of Steeperton Tor in sunshine after a period of heavy rain and you'll see vast areas of Taw Plain sparkling in the light. It's a wet, boggy area but thankfully it's relatively easy to explore on tracks/roads and well worn paths that rise in all directions to the high ground.
To visit Taw Plain and Taw Marsh, we'd recommend starting from Belstone. Head south through the village and past Belstone Great Green to a gate that leads out onto the moors. Follow the track/road into Taw Plain. About half way down, you'll see a distinctive kink in the River Taw called Horseshoe Bend. There's a concrete ford here connecting to other tracks so, at this point, you have the choice of exploring either the east or west side of the river.
We'd also suggest you head up Steeperton Tor for the view back down across Taw Plain and Taw Marsh. It's a bit of a slog to get up to the top. From the top of Steeperton Tor, you have the option of returning on either side of the river.
Photo Gallery
