TAVISTOCK & VILLAGES INITIATIVE
|
|
|
|
 |
EN2.5 Areas of historic importance |
 |
English
Heritage manages three sites in the area: Lydford Castle and Saxon Town,
Merrivale prehistoric settlement and the Upper Plym Valley. |
 |
The
moorlands of Dartmoor possess one of the finest collections of surviving
prehistoric monuments in Europe. The relative indestructibility of the granite
used in their construction, combined with the subsequent decline in the
attraction of Dartmoor as a human environment has enabled them to survive
in exceptional quantity. The whole spectrum of prehistoric life is reflected
in the monuments and includes: small stone rings as hut foundations, enclosures
for livestock or arable field boundaries and ritualistic monuments. Building in the Dartmoor National Park, DNPA Lydford must rank
as one of the most important medieval settlements in Devon, if not further
afield, and has significant archaeological remains. The village has a
remarkable lack of modern development and is therefore well preserved
in its historical form. There are
many areas where the nineteenth century mining heritage is evident. Particularly
noteworthy is Devon Great Consols’ designation as a Site of Special
Scientific Interest and the current application to UNESCO for parts of
Cornwall and the Tamar Valley (especially Morwellham Quay) to become a
World Heritage Site. |
 |
‘Help
needed for Morwellham Quay.’ ‘Reopen
canal to Morwellham.’ |
 |
Strategic
Aims: Environment; Maintain historic buildings and sites Culture, Media, Sports & Leisure; Develop and interpret the area's history and traditions |
|
Updated
October 2007
Website
by WesternWeb Ltd
© Tavistock
and Villages Initiative 2004
Photographs © WesternWeb
Ltd except where indicated.
Photographs may not be reproduced without the express permission of WesternWeb
Ltd
115