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Sydenham
Damerel is a small parish on the western border of Devon, lying approximately
midway between the north and south coasts and bounded to the south-west
by Cornwall and the river Tamar. It is mainly a community of hamlets,
farms and small rural businesses and is home to about 200 inhabitants.
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The
small village of Sydenham Damerel lies near the centre of the parish.
It is an ancient settlement, close to one of the few bridges over the
Tamar. South of the parish lies Kit Hill, a granite mass rising 334 metres
above the Tamar, which is tidal to nearby Gunnislake.
From the summit there are extensive views over the Tamar valley, West
Devon and South-east Cornwall. In clear weather the Eddystone Lighthouse
in the English Channel and the china clay workings at St. Austell can
be seen.
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There
are no major roads - the busiest road is the B3362 Tavistock to Launceston
route, which crosses the northern tip of the parish. The village is approached
via quiet country lanes, mostly bordered by Devon stone hedges.
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The
fifteenth century stone Horsebridge provides a through route for traffic,
connecting Devon to East Cornwall. The bridge is a narrow single track
with refuges for walkers, crossing from a spur of high ground on the
Devon side to the Cornish flood meadows.
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In
times of severe wet weather, the river spreads across the flood meadow,
and will sever the road link at peak flood.
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At
Horsebridge is the
Royal Inn, formerly a nunnery, but now a country pub serving excellent
food and drink in a relaxing "old world" atmosphere. The Tamar
Trail long distance walk crosses the Tamar here, and then heads north
towards the village.
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Sydenham
Damerel village is typical of many west country villages that have lost
their school, shop and post office to the economics of the 20th century.
Now the only facilities on offer are a public telephone, a post box, a
noticeboard, and the church of St. Mary's.
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A bus connects to Tavistock and Plymouth once a
week. The nearest village offering a shop, post office and primary school
is Milton Abbot, some two miles away, and there is a garage and shop a
similar distance away on the Tavistock - Launceston road at Collacombe
Down. Tavistock, some 6 miles to the east, offers all the facilities of
a market town, with a wide selection of shops and a large secondary school.
Gunnislake, about three miles downriver, marks the end of the Tamar Valley
Railway, which runs via a spectacularly scenic route down the Tamar to
Plymouth and the main line railway station.
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The
climate is generally mild and wet, typical for south west Britain. Snow
falls only on one or two days a year, and rarely settles for more than
a few hours. When it does, though, the lanes quickly become impassable
to cars, providing entertainment and inconvenience to all road users.
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Spring
comes early, and the trees and hedges burst into life with a plethora
of wildlife. Rabbits, foxes and badgers are common, and deer seek shelter
in the woods.
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The
Tamar valley was once an area of intensive mining, but now there are few
indications of the industrial activities. Chimneys, ruined buildings hidden
amongst trees, mysterious tunnels disappearing into the hillsides, and
bare spoil heaps give some sign of the copper, lead and later arsenic
extraction which went on here until the early 20th century, before the
ores became uneconomic for mining. Perhaps the most obvious sign to visitors
of this area's past lies in some of the names of the hamlets - wheal,
the Cornish word for mine often appearing on signposts.
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Key
Facts:
Area:
567 hectares, 1400 acres
Population: 227 (2002)
Settlements: Sydenham Damerel, Townlake, Horsebridge
Clerk to the Parish Council: D. Head. email: parishclerk@sydenham-damerel.org.uk
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