Enjoy a virtual tour of Laughter Tor near Postbridge on Dartmoor with stunning views of the moor, especially toward Princetown.
We walked here from Bellever Forest which was where we spent the night, the majority of people come here via Dunnabridge car park or Bellever Tor and the car park situated near Postbridge. There are a few circular walks that will take you around some of the old settlements, open moorland over to Bellever Tor, down to Bellever Forest, the river and back up again.
Suddenly Swarmed Upon by Thousands of Flies
Walking along the forestry roads from Bellever Forest was quite boring and laborious, so I would recommend to try and work out a route to avoid the roads if possible. When you finally reach the top it’s covered with heather and the granite blends in that you could almost walk past. I wasn’t sure which of the two was the highest, but the views from the top of both granite tops were magnificent, you can see for miles especially toward Princetown. Just be aware though it took only a matter of minutes being stood on the top when we were suddenly swarmed upon by thousands of flies and it happened on both granite tops. Maybe it was the time of year, we were here in mid September.
There are what seems some old ruins on the slope just down from the tor, apparently this was used as an animal pound. When it was full, the farmer would know how many sheep they had. I wasn’t aware at the time, but if we had carried on walking past the pound toward the road we’d come across the standing stone known as the Laughter man.
Stumbled Across an Adder
As we wanted to climb both tors we made up our own trail, heading up to Laughter Tor, from Bellever Forest then around to Bellever Tor. It was here where we stumbled across an adder basking in the sun. It was to quick though and had scarpered off into a bush before I could get my camera out.
Laughter Tor is a granite tor in Dartmoor, Devon, UK and is located near Bellever Forest.
- There are numerous Cists and Hut Circles on the slopes around the tors.
- Bellever is a working forest and the Forestry Commission have been growing Timber there since 1931.
- The first mention of a settlement at this location is in a Duchy of Cornwall record from 1355 which gives the name of a farm here as Welford
- In 1934 some of the barns of Bellever Farm were let to Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales) and now form the oldest, still functioning youth hostel in Devon.
- Bellever Forest lies 1.5 kilometres (1 mi) to the North East.
- It is important to keep all gates shut in order to prevent cross-breeding with ponies from the surrounding area. Please do not feed the ponies.
The forest is bursting with archaeology from its clapper bridge and the Lich Way to the more subtle but abundant stone cists, burial cairns and field boundaries. There are over thirty hut circles within the forest, just a hint that there were many more people living on the high moor during the Bronze Age (4000-2600 years ago) than there are today. Excavations in the 1890s found flint knives, scrapers and shards of pottery, some of it highly decorated.
If you’re not keen on camping then you can always book in at the youth hostel.
- Camping, Individuals and small groups are allowed to camp for up to two nights in the same place without asking permission. When planning your trip, make sure you check-out the Dartmoor Wild Camping map. All wild campers must adhere to the Dartmoor Backpack Camping Code.
- Hostel, YHA Dartmoor from £16.99 a night for a room or camping at £5 per person per night.
- Bellever Forest
- Bellever Tor
- Circular Walking Trails
- Huccaby Tor
- Standing Stone (Laughter Man)
- Postbridge
- Stone Row
There is a village shop and pub in Postbridge or just a little further up the road Warren House Inn.
- BBQ
- Picnic
- East Dart Hotel
- Warren House Inn
Most start from the Postbridge car park and it’s a moderately slow but steady climb up the hill to the top. It can also be soft underfoot in places.
Laughter Tor, Yelverton PL20 6TT. coming by car would be the easiest way to get here.
- Bus, The 98 from Yelverton Roundabout stops at Postbridge and Bellever village.
- Car, Parking at Dunnabridge car park is free, then a moderate walk up to the tor.
Tip: Remember Dartmoor has a 40mph speed limit to protect the cattle, sheep and ponies who freely roam the moor and can wander onto the roads at any time.
- You could park for free at nearby Dunnabridge car park.
- There are a couple circular walks that take you around some of the old settlements, open moorland and up to Bellever Tor.
- Walking along the forestry roads is quite boring and laborious, so I would recommend you work out a route to avoid it as much as possible.
- Beware of adders, the Uk’s only venomous snake.
- It is important to keep all gates shut in order to prevent cross-breeding with ponies from the surrounding area. Please do not feed the ponies.
- There is a village shop and pub in Postbridge.
- Camping, individuals and small groups are allowed to camp for up to two nights in the same place without asking permission. When planning your trip, make sure you check-out the Dartmoor Wild Camping map. All wild campers must adhere to the Dartmoor Backpack Camping Code.
- Dogs must be kept on a lead in the presence of grazing animals and around the picnic area.
- You can see all my camping gear here.
- Tip: £25 off your first Airbnb trip of £55 or more click here.
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