The Thirlestone, Watern Tor
By Miles ·
The weathered granite of the Thirlestone frames a sunlit moorland view at Watern Tor, with cloud-filtered rays reflecting in a small pool below.
Hidden amongst the remarkable granite formations of Watern Tor, on Dartmoor's remote northern moor, is a distinctive natural opening known as the Thirlstone.
Formed by two enormous stacks of weathered granite standing close together, the Thirlestone creates an unusual window onto the surrounding landscape. Its name is thought to derive from an old word meaning a hole or opening, a fitting description of this curious geological feature.
Photographed in May 2016, I was drawn to the view through the narrow gap between the rocks. Beyond the dark, imposing granite, the open moorland stretches towards the distant hills, while shafts of sunlight break through the clouds overhead.
Immediately below the opening, a small pool of water catches the light, its gently rippled surface reflecting the brightness of the sky. The contrast between the shadowed rocks, the illuminated water and the softer landscape beyond creates a wonderful sense of depth.
The granite itself is fascinating. Its pronounced horizontal joints and weathered surfaces give the impression of enormous slabs stacked one upon another, shaped over countless years by the natural processes that have created Dartmoor's distinctive tors.
For me, this photograph captures something of the pleasure of exploring the moor's more remote corners. Sometimes it's not the sweeping views from the summit that leave the strongest impression, but the smaller details discovered amongst the rocks.
The Thirlestone offers both, a remarkable natural formation and a beautiful little window onto the wild landscape beyond.