A collection of walks, discoveries, insights and pictures of exploring Dartmoor National Park
October 26, 2022
Wembley Walk – Burrator Arches
The ‘Wembley Walk’ folly, also known as Burrator Arches can be accessed from the Burrator Discovery Centre, which is located from the road running close to the west shore of Burrator Reservoir. This folly comprises two “arches” (with various artefacts), which were built between 1928 and 1934 in a section of lane which was once part of the access road to Sheepstor and Longstone Manor. The original reservoir dams (Burrator and Sheepstor) had been built between 1893 and 1898 (opening ceremony on 21st September). However, from 1923 through 1928 the dams were raised by 10 feet enlarge the capacity to enlarge the reservoir from 668 million to 1,026 million gallons. The enlarged reservoir was opened on Wednesday September 12th 1928. During the reservoir expansion works of the 1920’s, Plymouth Corporation Water Works and George Shillabeer the resident reservoir caretaker saved a number of artefacts (mostly from Longstone Manor) and many of these have been built into the folly we see today.
The folly takes its name from the Empire exhibition at Wembley, London which was visited as a celebratory trip to the capital by many workmen and their wives who were involved in the enhanced constructions of the dams. Information for this post has been obtained from the Burrator Discovery Centre and from ‘Dartmoor Follies’ by Philip Knowling.
1871 plaque is thought to be the foundation stone for Headweir cottage which was the home of Amos Shillabeer – Plymouth Leat foreman. The cottage was demolished 1897 as it would be under the new reservoir opened 1898. The cottage was replaced by Burrator Lodge 1896 which included office and Boardroom for Plymouth Corporation Water Works
Stephen Barrow March 26, 2023
1871 plaque is thought to be the foundation stone for Headweir cottage which was the home of Amos Shillabeer – Plymouth Leat foreman. The cottage was demolished 1897 as it would be under the new reservoir opened 1898. The cottage was replaced by Burrator Lodge 1896 which included office and Boardroom for Plymouth Corporation Water Works
SteveGriggDartmoor March 26, 2023 — Post author
Dear Stephen,
Thank you very much for the additional information, which I will add to the post, acknowledging you.
Kind Regards,
Dartmoor Explorations (Steve)