Battle of Sourton Down Battlefield, Sourton, Dartmoor National Park

Battle of Sourton Down Battlefield, Sourton, Dartmoor National Park

Sourton is a small village on the north eastern border of Dartmoor National Park. Sourton Down is a nearby area of countryside where the A30 passes over the A386. Dartmoor's highest ground at Yes Tor and High Willhays is visible from the down. On the night of the 25th April 1643, this was the location of the English Civil War's Battle of Sourton Down.

There's a great description of the battle in Okehampton's Museum of Dartmoor Life. Pop in to learn more en route to the battlefield. The description ends:

'By dawn the Royalists had withdrawn to Bridestowe and the Parliamentarians to Okehampton. The field was held by Chudleigh and 12 of his horse. Save for sixty Royalists dead, Sourton Down was deserted. In the local church register, there is no mention of those killed, so they were probably buried on the field of action.

Such a severe blow to the Royalists was a major coup for the Parliamentary cause. The London pamphleteers could not find sufficent words to praise the Devonian value and resolution.'

If Dartmoor battles are of interest, see also the Battle of Bovey Heath Battlefield and the Battle of Lydford Battlefield.