Two distinct themes come together in Wotter: the Reave and field system on Wotter Common, and the history of kaolin extraction. Together, they represent prehistoric landscape organisation and later industrial development.
Field System and Kaolin Landscape
The Wotter field system covers about 23 hectares and lies on the south-west slope of Wotter Common, in an area of gorse and bracken. Its position on the slope and the surrounding vegetation give a concrete impression of the landscape in which the field system sits.
A different landscape feature can be seen above the villages of Lee Moor and Wotter. The central part of the Parish of Shaugh Prior is dominated by kaolin pits above both settlements; the kaolin landscape includes white spoil heaps and enormous excavations. The field system lies on the south-west slope of Wotter Common, while the kaolin pits dominate the central part of the parish above Lee Moor and Wotter. This takes the view from a specific slope to a landscape that also encompasses Lee Moor.
Wodetor and Wotter Reave
Wotter is first mentioned as Wodetor in a survey dating from 1262. The Wotter Reave lies on Wotter Common. Within the parallel system of Saddlesborough, it is the south-easternmost reave. This places it within a system rather than as an isolated archaeological feature.
In 1980, radiocarbon dating dated the Wotter Reave to 1560 BC, with a margin of plus or minus 80 years. This uncertainty is part of the dating: 1560 BC should be read as an approximate date, not an exact one. This takes the timeline far back, well before Wotter’s industrial development.
From Mine Operations to Industrial Village
Captain Selleck reopened the disused Wotter mine in 1901. The Dartmoor China Clay Company began a major expansion programme, which led to a sharp increase in housebuilding in Wotter after 1906. The industrial history thus includes both the resumption of mining and the transformation of the settlement through housebuilding.
Wotter developed into a thriving industrial village. Employment opportunities in the kaolin works were a major driver of its growth. Together with the history of housebuilding, this adds the settlement’s development as an industrial centre to the archaeological perspective.
Road Connection and Cycle Route
The road from Bickleigh to Cornwood and Ivybridge passes through the three larger settlements of Shaugh Prior, Wotter and Lee Moor. This places Wotter in a named sequence of settlements along this road.
A route description from 2017 gives a cycle route from Marsh Mills to Wotter. It follows the Drakes Trail, Route 27, to Bickleigh and then continues along quiet country roads. The route includes sections both on and off road. Check route conditions before setting off.
The road information names the settlements on the connection from Bickleigh to Cornwood and Ivybridge; the route description runs from Marsh Mills to Wotter. These details offer different ways to orient your travel plans: one indicates Wotter’s location among the named settlements, while the other describes the course of a cycle route.
Discover more destinations: Torrington, Cornwood, Bradninch, Yarcombe, Westleigh, Burlescombe, Sampford Peverell, Slapton.
For the broader travel overview: Devon.
