From the front of the Washington Singer building it was nearly always possible to view Haldon Tower away on the high ground in the distance. It is not surprising, therefore, that one day we set out to explore it. We had expected some ancient, romantic ruin. The reality turned out to be rather different.......

A party of 18 left St. David's station at 9:25 am. After a half hour journey along the picturesque Teign Valley line, we reached the small station at Trusham. We took the road to the left and began the ascent towards Haldon. It was cloudy and threatening rain but, after walking the three miles to the main Haldon Ridge Road, the sun began to break through and light up the brilliant autumn colouring of the trees. For large parts of the way the road was thickly strewn with golden autumn leaves. We stopped at the beech wood to obtain a view of the Tower and then proceeded down to the drive gates. Here a notice said that the Tower was not open until 2:30 pm, being a private residence. So we returned to to the beech wood and took lunch. While we were eating it began to rain heavily and the view was shrouded in mist. At 1.40 pm two of us made our way to the gate to meet Pat and her party. They were not at the rendezvous and after 20 minutes David and the rest of the party joined us. We decided to shelter under the bridge in the grounds. After 10 minutes Pat and her party arrived very wet. Soon the rain eased off and we walked up to the Tower. Although misty, we could gain some impression of the magnificent panorama which stretches below the place in all directions. Somewhat reluctantly (in view of the very wet state of the party!), the keeper admitted us (sixpence per head) and then realising that, despite our wet and bedraggled appearance, we were very curious and interested, he gave an excellent talk on the origin and history of the Tower. It was built by Robert Paul in memory of General Lawrence. A statue of Lawrence stands in the centre of the ground floor room. Haldon Hall stood on the east side of the tower, only a small portion remains. The bridge carried the Tower drive over the House drive. A similar bridge stood in the middle of the wood. The staircase in the Tower is of great interest because of its slender spiral construction. The top room of the Tower was used as an observation post by 10 soldiers during the war. They claimed to see ghosts both in the Tower and in the grounds. There are nine rooms altogether in the Tower. The one above the ground floor is a ballroom. Many Americans apparently claimed that the view from the top was the finest in the world. After saying goodbye to the keeper, we took the road for Christow. Rain was by now very heavy and the party was very wet indeed, but not disheartened. We had achieved what we wanted to do which was to see what went on at that remarkable landmark. We caught the train back from Christow to St. David's station at 5:08 pm. Twenty three in all turned out for this walk.

No! You can't bring him on the walks.