Bennetts Cross, Dartmoor

This cross can be found just beside the B3212 near the Warren House Inn. By its crude carving, it appears to be very old. It was thought to have been one of several that marked the old track across the moor before the roads were build in about 1760.
It was also used as a marker stone for the warren nearby and the Birch Tor and Vitifer Mines , the remains of which can still be found in the valley of the Redwater Brook together with the Golden Dagger Mine. Anyone with an interest in Industrial Archaeology will be able to spend many happy hours among the remains along the valley floor.
They were working from the mid 1800's until 1925 and even during the last war, in some form or other, Their best year was 1845 when they smelted 150 tons of black tin.
I understand that during the war, unexploded bombs were detonated on the site which may explain the lack of more visible remains.
This morning all was quiet and peaceful but rather cold and there was just Jinxy and me and a few sheep to enjoy the solitude.