Dartmoor, near Princetown, Devon
Foggintor Quarry
Industrial heritage
Place photograph
6.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.5Granite once left this remote moorland quarry by tramway for major building projects; now its flooded basin and stone remains sit among Dartmoor’s open tors.
Foggintor makes its industrial past part of the landscape: granite faces and traces of workers’ buildings meet a water-filled quarry basin, with open Dartmoor and Kings Tor close by. It rewards a walk and a closer look at the remains, though rough ground and exposed moorland make conditions part of the experience.
Atmospheric · Wild · Dramatic
Find your way
Open mapDartmoor, near Princetown, Devon
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Follow the old railway or tramway approach to the flooded quarry, explore the visible industrial remains from safe ground, and, if conditions and navigation allow, extend the walk towards Kings Tor for views across Dartmoor.
Things to do
Walk the old tramway approach
Follow the route described along a dismantled railway or tramway towards the quarry. Check the route and start point before setting off.
Around 0.5–1 hour for the AllTrails out-and-back route
Explore the quarry remains from safe ground
Look across the flooded quarry basin towards the granite faces, building remains and reported crane bases. Do not climb unstable structures or approach exposed edges.
Extend the walk towards Kings Tor
Dartmoor Partner describes an extended route from the quarry towards Kings Tor for panoramic moorland views. Confirm the route and assess conditions before continuing.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
Quick escape: the quarry basin
- 01
Start from the route access point you have confirmed before travelling.
- 02
Follow the described old railway or tramway approach towards Foggintor Quarry.
- 03
View the flooded basin and quarry remains from safe ground, then return by the same route.
Half day · Half day
Make a half day of it: quarry and Kings Tor
- 01
Walk to the quarry using the confirmed route start.
- 02
Take time to look for the tramway traces and visible remains of the quarry settlement.
- 03
If conditions, navigation and access allow, continue towards Kings Tor for the wider moorland views, then return.
Verified history
Foggintor was a granite quarry worked from the early nineteenth century until its closure in 1906, according to Dartmoor Partner. The quarry was linked to a tramway that carried granite away from the moor. The supplied sources associate its stone with major projects including Nelson’s Column, London Bridge and Buckingham Palace; these specific claims should be treated as source-reported rather than independently corroborated here. Remains of buildings and tramway features are still described at the site.
Hidden details
The double-windowed quarry ruin — Dartmoor Partner singles out a double-windowed ruin as a distinctive feature among the quarry remains. View it from safe ground; the source does not establish that the structure is safe to enter or climb.
When to go
· Choose a clear, settled day for views; no specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The available route and visitor descriptions emphasise the value of clear weather for moorland views, rather than a particular month or season.
Dartmoor conditions can change quickly. The supplied visitor reports recommend suitable clothing or waterproofs; expect exposed, uneven moorland ground.
The route
- ascent
- 95 ft (about 29 m) on the AllTrails route
- stiles
- Check before visiting
- surface
- Mostly gravel, with natural and grassy sections on the listed AllTrails route; quarry terrain is uneven and rocky in places.
- distance
- 2.2 miles (about 3.5 km) out and back on the AllTrails route; Dartmoor Partner describes route options of 3.5–6 km
- duration
- 0.5–1 hour listed for the 2.2-mile AllTrails route; allow additional time to explore
- difficulty
- Easy on AllTrails; Dartmoor Partner describes its route as a trek. Expect uneven ground and rocky sections, so difficulty depends on the chosen variant and conditions.
- waymarking
- Check before visiting; route-finding may be difficult on the quarry circuit.
- route shape
- Out and back for the 2.2-mile AllTrails route; longer loop/extension options are described by Dartmoor Partner
- start point
- The AllTrails route is described as starting from Princetown; confirm the precise start point before travelling.
- parking start
- Visitor reports mention a small parking area, but location, capacity and current parking arrangements should be checked.
- shorter alternative
- Walk to the quarry basin and return by the same approach rather than taking the longer Kings Tor extension; confirm the route and access on arrival.
- Flooded granite quarry basin
- Quarry faces and remains of industrial buildings
- Traces of the dismantled railway or tramway
- Optional extension towards Kings Tor for Dartmoor views
Worth pairing with
Kings Tor
A worthwhile walking extension named in the route description, with panoramic views across Dartmoor.
Princetown
The quarry is described as being near Princetown, which appears in visitor accounts as a starting point for the walk. Check current local services before relying on them.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the high cut granite faces, the water-filled quarry basin, remains of industrial buildings and traces of the old tramway. Dartmoor Partner also highlights a distinctive double-windowed ruin
- 02
view ruins from safe, accessible ground rather than climbing them.
The story
Granite quarrying, workers’ settlement and the historic tramway
Best time to go
Clear, settled weather offers the best chance of open moorland views; conditions can change quickly on Dartmoor.
Choose a clear, settled day for the broadest views. Moorland weather can change quickly, so bring suitable clothing and check conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · History lovers
Before you go
Address
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A disused quarry reached on foot by tracks across open moorland. Reports describe a walk from Princetown and a small parking area, but access and parking arrangements should be checked before setting out. The quarry has steep, uneven rock and water; keep clear of edges and do not enter the water without confirming that it is permitted and safe. Access arrangements are unconfirmed. Check before visiting; do not enter private land or restricted structures.
Check before visiting
Parking
A small parking area is reported near the route start; location, availability and any restrictions should be checked before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check current access guidance and signage before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
The source row reports no wheelchair-accessible car park or entrance. Routes include uneven natural ground and rocky sections; this is not presented as a wheelchair-accessible visit.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Foggintor Quarry
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
