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| Great Staple Tor | |
|---|---|
| Name | Great Staple Tor |
| Elevation m | 308 |
| Prominence m | 35 |
| Range | Dartmoor |
| Location | Devon, England |
| Coordinates | 50.5510°N 3.9210°W |
| Grid ref | SX 654 747 |
Great Staple Tor Great Staple Tor is a granite tor on Dartmoor in Devon, England, notable for its blockfield and association with Bronze Age remains and modern outdoor recreation. The tor rises near the River Dart and overlooks moorland frequented by walkers, researchers, and heritage organizations. It lies within the Dartmoor National Park and has been the subject of archaeological surveys, geological mapping, and conservation efforts by national and local bodies.
Great Staple Tor stands on the northwestern margins of the Dartmoor plateau between the communities of Princetown and Yelverton, close to the A386 road and within sight of Okehampton moorland. The tor overlooks tributaries of the River Meavy and River Plym, and it forms part of a skyline that includes Yes Tor, High Willhays, and Hameldown. The surrounding landscape is a mosaic of peat bogs, heaths, and enclosed commons such as Burrator and Vicary's Cross areas, falling under the administrative jurisdiction of West Devon and the Tamar Valley influence. Topographical mapping by the Ordnance Survey places the tor on sheet references used by groups from Exeter University, Royal Geographical Society, and local rambling clubs like the Ramblers Association.
The tor is composed primarily of coarse-grained granite formed during the Cretaceous to Permian magmatic events that affected southwest England and associated with the larger Cornubian Batholith. Weathering has produced characteristic tor torsion, blockfields, and spheroidal fracturing visible in block outcrops, boulder trains, and clitter slopes similar to those at Dartmoor exposures near Haytor and Bowerman's Nose. Geological mapping by the British Geological Survey identifies jointing patterns influenced by regional stresses linked to the Variscan Orogeny, while later periglacial processes during the Last Glacial Maximum sculpted the surrounding peat and denudation surfaces. Petrological studies by researchers at University of Plymouth, University of Exeter, and the Natural History Museum, London have noted feldspar phenocrysts, quartz veins, and kaolinized pits analogous to features described in classic works by A. C. Ramsay and H. H. Thomas.
The tor and adjacent moor support upland heath vegetation dominated by Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea communities typical of Dartmoor ecology studies conducted by Natural England, the Wildlife Trusts, and English Heritage. Peat bogs and wet flushes harbour specialist plants recorded by botanists associated with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and survey teams from Joint Nature Conservation Committee, while birdlife includes species monitored by the RSPB and local ornithological groups such as Dartmoor Birders and Devon Birdwatching Society. Invertebrate surveys by Buglife and university entomology departments have documented moorland beetles and moths comparable to populations on Exmoor and Bodmin Moor, and amphibians recorded by Herpetological Conservation Trust affiliates use nearby streams. Grazing regimes maintained historically by commons rights holders, the National Farmers' Union, and tenants influence vegetation structure and interact with conservation initiatives by Dartmoor National Park Authority.
Archaeological features around the tor include Bronze Age hut circles and stone rows comparable to excavations at Grimspound, as recorded by antiquarians like Sabine Baring-Gould and archaeologists from English Heritage and Historic England. Evidence for prehistoric field systems, cairns, and boundary markers links the site to wider prehistoric networks that include Hemyock, Meldon, and Plympton landscapes documented in regional surveys by University of Cambridge and the Society of Antiquaries of London. Medieval and post-medieval use is reflected in tin streaming and tinners' works paralleling records from the Dartmoor tin-mining industry overseen historically by the Stannary Courts and referenced in legal archives at The National Archives. Military use during the 20th century by British Army training units and mapping by the Ordnance Survey left traces in access tracks used by Ministry of Defence agreements and recorded in reports by local councils including Devon County Council.
The tor is a destination for walkers, climbers, and photographers guided by routes promoted in guides from authors affiliated with the Long Distance Walkers Association, Alpine Club, and local hiking groups like Dartmoor Preservation Association. Access is governed by public rights of way, permissive paths negotiated with commons holders and promoted by National Trails literature and the VisitEngland tourism body alongside maps from the Ordnance Survey. Rock climbers refer to route guides produced by regional climbers' clubs, and orienteering events organized by groups such as Devon Orienteering Club utilize the nearby open moor. Visitor information and safety guidance is provided by Dartmoor National Park Authority, local rescue teams including Devon Search and Rescue, and volunteer wardens from the Dartmoor Commons community.
Management strategies for the tor integrate objectives from Dartmoor National Park Authority, Natural England, and the Environment Agency concerning peat restoration, erosion control, and habitat recovery consistent with policies in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and directives implemented via DEFRA programmes. Collaborative projects involving National Trust, RSPB, and local landowners address grazing regimes, invasive species, and archaeological site protection with technical advice from the Historic Environment Record and mitigation plans coordinated with English Heritage. Funding and monitoring have come from sources including Heritage Lottery Fund, European Union rural initiatives administered historically by Local Action Groups, and research grants from institutions such as Royal Society and NERC that support long-term ecological and geomorphological studies.