Rippon Tor facts for kids
Rippon Tor is a really cool rock formation, called a tor, found on the eastern side of Dartmoor in England. It stands tall at about 473 meters (that's about 1,552 feet) above the sea! Imagine climbing that high!
Rippon Tor is special because it has three large piles of rocks, known as cairns. These cairns are some of the biggest you'll find on Dartmoor. People built these rock piles a long, long time ago, sometimes to mark a path or a burial spot. There's also a special stone pillar called a triangulation pillar at the top. This pillar was used by mapmakers to help create accurate maps of the area. From Rippon Tor, you can see amazing views of the northern parts of Dartmoor, including places like Fernworthy Forest and Great Mis Tor.
Contents
What Can You See from Rippon Tor?
From the top of Rippon Tor, you get incredible views all around! You can look south towards North Hessary Tor near a town called Princetown. You can also see Holne Ridge. On a clear day, you might even spot the River Teign winding its way towards the sea at Teignmouth.
Distant Landmarks and Other Tors
Looking out, you can often see the clay pits between Kingsteignton and Bovey Tracey. These are big areas where special clay is dug out of the ground. Many other famous tors on the eastern side of Dartmoor are visible too, like the very popular Haytor and Saddle Tor. It's like a giant natural map spread out before you!
The Nutcracker Stone
Close to Rippon Tor, there's a famous logan stone known as the Nutcracker. A logan stone is a huge rock that is balanced so perfectly that you can make it rock back and forth with just a little push! It's a fun natural wonder to discover.
How to Visit Rippon Tor
Getting to Rippon Tor is quite easy. You can start your adventure from the Hemsworthy Gate Car Park. This car park is located just off the B3387 road, which connects the villages of Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Bovey Tracey. It's a great spot for a walk and to enjoy the Dartmoor scenery.
Nearby Features
Rippon Tor is in an interesting area with a few other notable features nearby. The Rippon Tor Rifle Range is located on Horridge Common, not too far away. Also, the tor is close to where the River Ashburn begins. The River Ashburn is a smaller river that eventually flows into the larger River Dart.
