Page:Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries.djvu/370

 Of Dartmoor and its Borderland, g 30!: scz CHAPTER II. « ran: ^^ The Boundary Crosses of Brent Moor* E51- it Brent Hill— Brent Fair— Church of St. Patrick— Christopher Jellinger— gt Brent Market Cross — Hobajon's Cross — Old Map of Dartmoor — y,, Butterdon Stone Row— Three Barrows — Western Whitaburrow — "' Petre's Cross— Sir William Petre— Buckland Ford— The Abbots* -^' Way— Clapper Bridge — Huntingdon Cross — The Valley of the Avon. is: •V i^

On the left bank of the Avon, a stream that has its source in a solitary part of the south quarter of the forest, as the central portion of the great moor is termed, is situated the small market town of South Brent, and it is here that we shall commence our ramble. It is distant some mile and a half from the confines of the moor, to which several roads lead. Immediately to the north of it rises a lofty eminence known as Brent Hill, and on the west it is overlooked by the Eastern Beacon on Ugborough Moor. The chief attraction in the immediate vicinity of the town is the first-named height, whence is commanded a most extensive view, the beauty of which amply compensates the visitor for the toil of the ascent. The greater part of the South Hams of Devon lies, as it were, at the feet of the beholder, while in the other direction is a grand sweep of moor, with the ridge of Hameldon rising huge and bold against the northern sky. On the summit of Brent Hill are the scanty ruins of a small building, locally reported to have been a chapel. It is also stated to be the remains of a windmill, erected towards the end of the eighteenth century by Dr. Tripe, of Ashburton. What truth there is in this I know not, but if any, it would seem more probable that he converted some ancient building to his purpose. Many years ago I learnt from one who remembered when much more of the ruin than now exists was standing, that the walls were pierced with loop holes, and he had always heard that it was used as a '* look-out house."