Discover Wotter: Industrial History and Wotter Common

Wotter between the Kaolin Industry and an Archaeological Landscape

Wotter combines a rich history of kaolin mining with archaeological landmarks on Wotter Common. The village’s growth and the character of the surrounding industrial landscape are a particular focus; the field system and reave offer a different historical perspective. For your travel planning, there is also a described cycling route from Marsh Mills to Wotter.

From Pit to Industrial Village

A survey from 1262 mentions Wotter for the first time as Wodetor. In 1901, Captain Selleck reopened the abandoned Wotter pit. These dates mark different milestones: the earliest record of the name and a specific turning point in the history of kaolin mining.

The Dartmoor China Clay Company began a major expansion programme; after 1906, housebuilding in Wotter increased sharply. The village developed into a thriving industrial community. Jobs in the kaolin works made a significant contribution to this growth. Wotter’s development can therefore be traced through both the workings of the pit and the expansion of housing in the village.

The Kaolin Landscape Around Wotter

The industrial character is also evident in the wider landscape. Kaolin pits dominate the central part of the Parish of Shaugh Prior, above the villages of Lee Moor and Wotter. The kaolin landscape includes white spoil heaps and vast excavations. This makes it possible to understand the industrial history not only through the workings of the pits and the village’s growth, but also through the landscape.

Wotter Common: Field System and Reave

The Wotter field system covers approximately 23 ha on the south-west slope of Wotter Common, in an area of gorse and bracken. Its area, hillside location and surrounding vegetation offer different clues for understanding this landscape feature; the figure should be treated as approximate.

Another archaeological landmark on Wotter Common is the Wotter Reave. It is the south-easternmost reave in the parallel system of Saddlesborough. In 1980, radiocarbon dating placed it at 1560 BC, with a margin of ±80 years. This margin is part of the dating estimate and should be read together with the date. The details answer different questions: Wotter Common locates the reave, while the dating provides an approximate time period.

Cycling Route and Road Connection

A route description from 2017 lists a cycling route from Marsh Mills to Wotter. It follows Route 27, the Drakes Trail, as far as Bickleigh, then continues along quiet country roads. The route includes sections both on and off-road. Check route conditions before setting out.

Another road connection runs from Bickleigh to Cornwood and Ivybridge, passing through the three larger settlements of Shaugh Prior, Wotter and Lee Moor. The cycling route from Marsh Mills and this road connection describe different ways to include Wotter in your travel plans.

Choosing Wotter as a Destination

When looking for hotels for a stay in Wotter, you can choose what to focus on according to your interests: kaolin mining and the village’s development point to industrial history, Wotter Common to the field system and reave, and the cycling route offers a specific option with sections both on and off-road. Different interests can therefore guide your choice of destination: local history, archaeological landscapes or cycling.

Discover more destinations: Yealmpton, Stoke Rivers, Sparkwell, Bere Alston, Tavistock, East Portlemouth, Harberton, Princetown

For the main travel guide: Devon.