Charcoal / Saltpetre Works

Hidden among Dartmoor's moorland, these industrial ruins mark a surprising chapter in the moor's history. During the English Civil War and later conflicts, charcoal and saltpetre works operated here, converting local timber into the raw materials for gunpowder. The scattered stonework and earthworks reveal the scale of operations that once disturbed this remote landscape.

Walking among the ruins, you can trace the remnants of furnaces and processing areas, though nature has largely reclaimed the site. The setting itself tells a story, this industrial venture depended on Dartmoor's forests, which were gradually depleted through such demands. The works offer a tangible reminder that even this seemingly timeless wilderness has been shaped by human needs and conflicts.