Bellever
Encyclopedia
Bellever is a hamlet in Dartmoor
, Devon
, England
. It is located on the river East Dart about 2 kilometres (1 mi) south of Postbridge.
The first mention of a settlement at this location is in a Duchy of Cornwall record from 1355 which gives the name of a farm here as Welford,
a contraction of wielle (spring) and ford. However an alternative proposal is that the name comes from bal (mine) and ford, meaning the mine by the ford.
Until the period after World War II
the hamlet consisted of Bellever Farm and outbuildings with a small number of cottages for the farm workers. However in 1930 the Forestry Commission
began a large planting scheme. As a result several houses were built in the 1950s to house the forestry workers. The coniferous plantation known as Bellever Forest surrounds the hamlet on its North, West and South sides.
The farm itself was previously owned by the Duchy of Cornwall
and was sold to the Forestry Commission in 1930. In 1934 some of the barns were let to Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales)
and now form the oldest, still functioning youth hostel in Devon.
While owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, the farm gained a reputation for the introduction of Galloway
and Aberdeen Angus
cattle onto Dartmoor.
Despite its smallness, Bellever is served by a twice daily bus
service from Princetown
operated by DAC Coaches.
During the summer the Forestry Commission also run a small visitor centre by the East Dart river.
Bellever Tor lies 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) to the southwest.
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers .The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is located on the river East Dart about 2 kilometres (1 mi) south of Postbridge.
The first mention of a settlement at this location is in a Duchy of Cornwall record from 1355 which gives the name of a farm here as Welford,
a contraction of wielle (spring) and ford. However an alternative proposal is that the name comes from bal (mine) and ford, meaning the mine by the ford.
Until the period after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the hamlet consisted of Bellever Farm and outbuildings with a small number of cottages for the farm workers. However in 1930 the Forestry Commission
Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain's forests and woodlands and increase their value to society and the environment....
began a large planting scheme. As a result several houses were built in the 1950s to house the forestry workers. The coniferous plantation known as Bellever Forest surrounds the hamlet on its North, West and South sides.
The farm itself was previously owned by the Duchy of Cornwall
Duchy of Cornwall
The Duchy of Cornwall is one of two royal duchies in England, the other being the Duchy of Lancaster. The eldest son of the reigning British monarch inherits the duchy and title of Duke of Cornwall at the time of his birth, or of his parent's succession to the throne. If the monarch has no son, the...
and was sold to the Forestry Commission in 1930. In 1934 some of the barns were let to Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales)
Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales)
The Youth Hostels Association is a charitable organisation, registered with the Charity Commission, providing youth hostel accommodation in England and Wales...
and now form the oldest, still functioning youth hostel in Devon.
While owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, the farm gained a reputation for the introduction of Galloway
Galloway cattle
The Galloway is one of the world's longest established breeds of beef cattle, named after the Galloway region of Scotland, where it originated. It is now found in many parts of the world....
and Aberdeen Angus
Angus cattle
Angus cattle are a breed of cattle much used in beef production. They were developed from cattle native to the counties of Aberdeenshire and Angus in Scotland, and are known as Aberdeen Angus in most parts of the world....
cattle onto Dartmoor.
Despite its smallness, Bellever is served by a twice daily bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
service from Princetown
Princetown
Princetown is a town situated on Dartmoor in the English county of Devon.In 1785, Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, Secretary to the Prince of Wales, leased a large area of moorland from the Duchy of Cornwall estate, hoping to convert it into good farmland. He encouraged people to live in the area and suggested...
operated by DAC Coaches.
During the summer the Forestry Commission also run a small visitor centre by the East Dart river.
Bellever Tor lies 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) to the southwest.