For some fifty years from 1844, this beautiful area of Dartmoor was the site of a large gun powder mill producing 'black powder' for use in the mines and quarries in the region.
The location was ideal because it was isolated and land was cheap, allowing the buildings to be well spaced out to prevent a chain reaction if there was an accidental explosion.
The invention of dynamite and the development of gelignite finally killed off the demand for 'black powder' and the site closed in 1897.
The site fell in decay and only a few of the original cottages remain.
During the Second World War the site was home to 3,000 American soldiers as they trained for the D Day landings in Normandy.
Today and yesterday's pictures of Dartmoor are wonderful. Spent a week and some in southwest England a while back. Even without a car, we saw so much. It was an extraordinary experience.
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