Northeast side of Burrator Reservoir, Dartmoor National Park, Devon
Norsworthy Bridge
Waterside landscape
Source image
5.8
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
5.8A granite bridge beside Burrator Reservoir is the starting point for routes into the Narrator Brook valley, where an old farm track leads to the remains of Deancombe farmstead.
Norsworthy Bridge is a useful gateway to Dartmoor’s reservoir edge and its traces of working and farming history. The strongest sourced experience is a short walk to Deancombe’s ruins, with a longer circular route around the reservoir also described by AllTrails.
Peaceful · Wild
Find your way
Open mapNortheast side of Burrator Reservoir, Dartmoor National Park, Devon
Opening map…
Know this place a little better?
The experience
Start at Norsworthy Bridge car park and choose a walk suited to your time and conditions. The official Miles Without Stiles route reaches an accessible picnic table after 300 m and continues to Deancombe ruins; a separate AllTrails listing describes a 4 km circular route.
Things to do
Walk the old farm track to Deancombe
Follow the Dartmoor National Park route from Norsworthy Bridge car park to the remains of Deancombe farmstead. An accessible picnic table is 300 m from the start; Deancombe is a further 1 km along the linear route.
300 m to the picnic table; 1 km further to Deancombe, then return the same way.
Explore the Norsworthy Bridge circular
AllTrails describes a 4 km circular route around Burrator Reservoir, with dirt tracks, grassy paths and tree-lined lanes. Leather Tor Bridge and Leather Tor are listed as sights.
1–1.5 hours
Take in the Narrator Brook Valley views
Views into Narrator Brook Valley are noted along the Deancombe route. Pause where the landscape opens up, without leaving the described path.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow time for a short out-and-back; the accessible picnic table is 300 m from the car park, with Deancombe a further 1 km along the route.
Deancombe’s old farm track
- 01
Start at Norsworthy Bridge car park.
- 02
Follow the old farm track to the accessible picnic table, 300 m from the start.
- 03
Continue another 1 km to the remains of Deancombe farmstead if conditions and ability allow.
- 04
Return by the same route.
Half day · About 1–1.5 hours; 4 km, circular, with 75 m elevation gain according to AllTrails.
Norsworthy Bridge circular
- 01
Begin at the Norsworthy Bridge area.
- 02
Follow the described circular route around Burrator Reservoir using dirt tracks, grassy paths and tree-lined lanes.
- 03
Look out for the route’s named sights, including Leather Tor Bridge and Leather Tor.
- 04
Expect paths to be muddy or damp after rain; wear footwear with good grip.
Verified history
The Dartmoor National Park route follows an old farm track once used to reach the now-derelict Deancombe farmstead. West Devon Council also identifies traces of tin working, old farmsteads and Devonport Leat in the wider area. The supplied sources do not establish a construction date for Norsworthy Bridge.
Hidden details
The track to a derelict farmstead — The route to Deancombe is not just a reservoir-side walk: Dartmoor National Park notes that the track once served the now-derelict farmstead.
Industrial traces in the wider area — West Devon Council points to traces of tin working and Devonport Leat near Norsworthy Bridge. The supplied source does not specify exact locations, so treat these as wider-area details rather than guaranteed stops on a particular route.
When to go
· No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
Dartmoor National Park notes that spring offers a chance to hear cuckoos and woodpeckers on the Deancombe route. AllTrails warns that tracks and river margins can become muddy and damp after rain.
Expect tracks to be muddy or damp after rain; AllTrails recommends waterproof hiking boots with good grip. Check current route conditions before setting out.
What to look for
- 01
Look for the remains of Deancombe farmstead and the views into Narrator Brook Valley. The supplied West Devon Council source also identifies nearby traces of tin working and Devonport Leat
- 02
their precise locations are not detailed here.
The story
Dartmoor farming and industrial heritage
Best time to go
Spring for the chance to hear cuckoos and woodpeckers on the Deancombe route; check conditions before setting out in wet weather.
Spring is the best-supported seasonal cue: Dartmoor National Park notes the chance to hear cuckoos and woodpeckers along the Deancombe route. No specific time of day is established.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · History lovers
Practical information
Opening & access
Dartmoor National Park describes a walking route starting at Norsworthy Bridge car park. Check current conditions and access information before travelling.
Check before visiting
Parking
Norsworthy Bridge car park is identified as the route start by Dartmoor National Park. Check current parking arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Dartmoor National Park lists public toilets at Burrator Dam and accessible toilets at Burrator Discovery Centre; check opening details before travelling.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting; no reliably sourced café information supplied.
Check before visiting
Dogs
Check before visiting; no sourced dog rules supplied.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Dartmoor National Park describes the route to Deancombe as a gravel path with some slopes, classed for many. It is 300 m to an accessible picnic table, then a further 1 km to Deancombe, returning the same way. Check the route page for current details.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
River and reservoir; swimming or paddling permission is not established by the supplied sources.
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Norsworthy Bridge
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances