By: Blonde One

I was intrigued to find this tiny little building as I took a walk on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in an area not previously explored. The mound of grass seemed to be manmade with a water trough at the bottom and a fascinating triangular building at the top. There was no door as such, except a boarded up opening on top of the splendid seating. From every side of the building there were stunning views either across Tavistock, to Cornwall on a clear day or towards the open moor. I could easily have whiled away an hour or two here!

There weren’t really any clues to be found except that on the map there was marked a reservoir. Either this reservoir was underground or it no longer existed.

Investigation back at home revealed that this was a Grade II listed folly built in 1914 which was later given the unfair nickname of ‘The Pimple‘. Sir Edwin Lutyens (best known for designing London’s Cenotaph and Exeter’s Castle Drogo) designed the folly which sat at the top of the underground reservoir which provided water to some of the local houses. Beneath the folly is a metal ladder apparently which goes down to the reservoir holding 100,000 gallons of water.

There’s lots in this area to explore as well as The Pimple, all right next to the excellent stannary town of Tavistock.

Copyright Ordnance Survey