Burrator Quarries

Located on the south-western edge of Dartmoor close to the impressive Burrator Reservoir are the disused Upper and Lower Burrator Quarries.

The Upper Burrator Quarry offers an opportunity to view a rare exposure of the contact between the Dartmoor granite and Devonian rocks. Indeed, veins of pink granite can be seen penetrating these rocks which were once slates resulting from the deep burial and intense deformation of mudstone, originally laid down in marine conditions. However, the high temperatures that resulted from the intrusion of the hot granite transformed them into re-crystallised rocks known as hornfels.  Minerals such as black tourmaline have been formed in the original slate.

On foot: both of the quarries are situated on Yennadon Down which is common land. You can roam freely on foot and on horseback.

By bus: there is a regular bus service from Yelverton to the nearby village of Dousland. There is also a regular service to Yelverton from Tavistock and Plymouth, visit the Travel Devon website for the latest times.

By bike: National Cycle Network Route 27 ‘Devon’s Coast to Coast’ from Plymouth to Ilfracombe runs near to Yelverton and the site.

By road: The site is accessed from the minor road heading east from Yelverton towards Burrator Reservoir. The site lies west of the road approx. 300 metres south of the reservoir’s dam.  Car parking is available in the southern quarry.