How do I get to Bowerman's Nose?

Park at Swallerton Gate car park (also called Hound Tor car park) off the B3387 between Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Manaton. From there, it's about a mile walk north across Hayne Down—wear decent footwear as it can be boggy.

Why is it called Bowerman's Nose?

It's named after a local legend about a hunter called Bowerman who was turned to stone for hunting on a Sunday. The rock stack genuinely looks like a face with a prominent nose, which is why the name stuck.

How tall is Bowerman's Nose?

It stands about 21 feet high. It's a weathered granite tor that's been shaped by wind, water, and frost over thousands of years.

Dartmoor Tors & Legends

Bowerman's Nose: The Dartmoor Rock Stack That Punishes Working Weekends

This distinctive tor on Dartmoor supposedly marks the spot where a hunter and his pack were petrified mid-chase for the crime of hunting on the Sabbath. The details shift depending on who's telling it—some versions blame divine wrath, others point to a vengeful witch—but everyone agrees that working Sundays came with rather permanent consequences.

17 August 20267 min read