Dartmoor & Exmoor
Laughter Tor
421M
1381FT
About Laughter Tor
Rising above the East Dart valley, this modest granite outcrop offers a quieter alternative to nearby Bellever Tor. The terrain is largely grassy and easy underfoot, leading to a summit that provides clear, unobstructed views across the central moorland towards the high ridges of Cut Hill and Fur Tor.
Key Statistics
Rank
48th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Dartmoor
Prominence
?
44
Nearest Town
Postbridge
Geology
The ground beneath you is solid granite. It formed from molten rock that cooled deep underground, creating the sturdy backbone of this landscape.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SX653756
Latitude
50.5646°N
Longitude
3.9033°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely derives from the Old English 'hlaw', meaning a mound or barrow, reflecting the numerous prehistoric burial sites found in the immediate vicinity rather than any jovial associations.
- •A few hundred metres south of the summit stands the Laughter Man, a restored Bronze Age standing stone that reaches nearly 2.5 metres in height and serves as a striking waypoint on the approach from Postbridge.
- •The hill is frequently climbed alongside Bellever Tor, though it lacks the crowds of its more famous neighbour, making it a better spot for observing the sweeping forestry of Bellever and the winding path of the East Dart river.
- •Despite the name, the ascent is unlikely to provoke fits of hysterics; the most amusement to be found is usually watching walkers in the valley below struggle with the infamous Dartmoor mires while you remain on dry, grassy ground.