Haytor Quarry Dartmoor

All around the granite mass of Haytor lie the remains of the quarry that takes its name. Opened in September 1820 by George Templer who had won a contract to supply granite for the old London Bridge. (Which is now in the USA). The blocks of granite were transported on a granite rail system some 10 miles to the Stover Canal at Ventiford and thus by barge down the river to Teignmouth and the sea. In these 10 miles, the railway dropped some 1300 feet and the wagons carrying the granite most likely completed the journey by gravity. It is said that a train of 12 cars were hauled back to the mine by a team of 18 horses.

This is the remains of the hoisting davit on the main quarry, which was used to load the granite blocks onto the wagons.