A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
August 23, 2022
Ilsington Water Works Fire Hydrant Stones
In the parish of Ilsington there are a number of “tombstone” shaped granite pillars which are all inscribed I.W.W near the top which stands for Ilsington Water Works, then F.H near the middle which stands for Fire Hydrant, then a “number” alongside FT near the bottom which stands for the distance in Feet the pillar is from the water hydrant. The author has found very little history about these markers but was advised by Tim Jenkinson that in the Book of Ilsington it is mentioned that mains water came to Haytor in 1914. Therefore it is suggested that the pillars date from around that period. These pillars are around 0.75m tall and are beautifully finished with deeply inscribed letters and numbers. Mike Brown in his Gazetteer of Dartmoor Names (Supplement) recorded eight of these pillars on page 28. This post covers nine pillars thus far known to the author together with their locations, which comprise seven from the Mike Brown Gazetteer plus two others. There may have been more of these pillars originally and they might have been replaced by the “modern” yellow freestanding posts (with plates) seen today. For example there is modern hydrant marker at Smokey Cross where another pillar may have been located.
Map showing the locations of the I.W.W pillars. Numbers 1,2,4-10 were found by the author. Number 3 is not located but mentioned in the Mike Brown Gazetteer.Table showing the grid references of the I.W.W granite pillars split between the nine found by the author and eight mentioned in the Mike Brown Gazetteer. The one not found is shown in red. The author would like to thank Mark Fenlon for directing him towards the Mike Brown publication and to google earth which clearly shows no. 4Ilsington sign. The location of the Water Works associated with this lovey Dartmoor village is unknown to the author.Ilsington Water Works (I.W.W) Fire Hydrant granite pillar No.1 is located next to the B3387, Bovey Tracey to Widecombe road.The I.W.W pillar No. 1 is located next to a modern Fire Hydrant concrete sign with plate. The pillar is semi-buried, so unfortunately doesn’t show the “distance” (feet) inscription.Contextual view of I.W.W pillar No.1, with Haytor in the distance.Another contextual view of I.W.W pillar No.1, showing its location near a gate.I.W.W pillar No.2 shows the distance to the hydrant as 9 Ft.Location of I.W.W pillar No. 2I.W.W granite pillar No. 2 is inscribed “I.W.W / F.H / 9 FT”Possible location of where I.W.W pillar No. 3 might have been (ref: Mike Brown Gazetteer – Supplement). Possible location of where I.W.W pillar No. 3 might have been (near Meadowside and Firs Trees Cottage). The author engaged a local in conversation and although they were not aware of the pillar did state there was a water tap / source outside of the property called Meadowside. I.W.W pillar No. 4 is in the centre of Haytor Vale (near Rock Inn) where there is still a fire hydrant cover in the road.I.W.W granite pillar No. 4 (after mud makeover) is shown as inscribed “I.W.W / F.H / 3 FT”Rock Inn, Haytor ValeI.W.W granite pillar No. 4 in relation to the modern “H” and hydrant cover in the road.More I.W.W granite pillar No. 4 contextual views.I.W.W granite pillar No. 5 can be found in the hedge line opposite a house called “The Shotts” at the west end of Gold Flake Lane.I.W.W granite pillar No. 5 is inscribed “I.W.W / F.H / 2 FT”On the opposite side of the lane to IWW (number 5) is a property caller “The Shotts” – in estate agent parlance, this is a 7 bedroom detached property with a “magical, fairy tale feel” as inside it has lots of exquisite Moroccan tiles. It has fabulous views.I.W.W granite pillar No. 6 can be found in the hedge line opposite a house called “Bluestone”I.W.W granite pillar No. 6 is inscribed “I.W.W / F.H / 10 FT”Entrance to “Blueburn”. The I.W.W pillars numbered 5,6 and 7 on the sketch map are all located along a lane known locally as Gold Flake Lane. This name is linked to a Violet Wills who lived in Bel Alp House (which is located between “The Shotts” and “Blueburn”) in the 1920s. Apparently the name is a reference to her family’s tobacco industry and how they made their millions. Source: Tim JenkinsonI.W.W granite pillar No. 7 can be found in the hedge line opposite a house called “Shott House”I.W.W granite pillar No. 7 is inscribed “I.W.W / F.H / 2 FT”Contextual view of I.W.W pillar No. 7, which is located at the east end of Gold Flake LaneI.W.W granite pillar No. 8 can be found by a gateway outside the Ilsington Country HotelI.W.W granite pillar No. 8 is inscribed “I.W.W / F.H / 4 FT”Contextual view of I.W.W pillar No. 8, which is located next to a modern hydrant postIlsington Country Hotel. The granite pillar is located at the west entranceI.W.W granite pillar No. 9 can be found opposite the Carpenters Arms in Ilsington. It is inscribed “I.W.W / F.H / 5 FT”On top of the I.W.W pillar No. 9 was this small stone with painted message.Contextual view of the location of I.W.W pillar No. 9Carpenters Arms I.W.W granite pillar No. 10 can be found in Old Liverton near the lane leading to Woodgate Cottages and opposite Mill House. The picture was taken by Tim Jenkinson and can be found on FLICKR and has been included in this post as the light conditions on the stone were excellent and highlights the inscription. Thanks to Tim for allowing this to be included in this postI.W.W granite pillar No. 10 is inscribed “I.W.W / F.H / 3 FT”Contextual view for I.W.W pillar No. 10 which is opposite a modern fire hydrant sign
Real interesting, is this the markers of a private water company or markers of the original wells in common ownership and then privatised? I know Woodbury wa a private water company of Rolle that went bankrupt late 19 thc.
Many thanks for your message. Aside what is written in the post, I have been unable to find any more information on the Ilsington Water Works. My guess is that it was a private water company before 1914, when mains water came to the area. I do not believe the 9 possibly 10 water markers relate to springs but are just distance markers to the hydrants (there are now modern yellow ‘H’ markers located adjacent to most of them). I do not have a copy of the ‘Book of Ilsington’ but that publication may have more information.
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Clare Baitup August 3, 2025
Real interesting, is this the markers of a private water company or markers of the original wells in common ownership and then privatised? I know Woodbury wa a private water company of Rolle that went bankrupt late 19 thc.
SteveGriggDartmoor August 3, 2025 — Post author
Clare,
Many thanks for your message. Aside what is written in the post, I have been unable to find any more information on the Ilsington Water Works. My guess is that it was a private water company before 1914, when mains water came to the area. I do not believe the 9 possibly 10 water markers relate to springs but are just distance markers to the hydrants (there are now modern yellow ‘H’ markers located adjacent to most of them). I do not have a copy of the ‘Book of Ilsington’ but that publication may have more information.
Kind Regards,
Steve (Dartmoor Explorations)
Chris August 27, 2025
Hello, I have been finding similar stones in the South Ribble area of Lancashire.
SteveGriggDartmoor August 28, 2025 — Post author
Hi,
I wonder how many more there are across the country ?
Kind Regards,
Dartmoor Explorations