Think of Dartmoor, and you think of its unique natural landscape...the tors, the granite, the bogs, the heathland...add it all together, and it makes a stunning natural vista.

But look a little closer, and you'll also find some amazing, man-made contribitions to Dartmoor's uniqueness.

These are the follies which are scattered liberally across the moor, and which are now featured in a book extolling their virtues.

"Dartmoor Follies" is a celebration of the moor's eccentric architecture, hidden gardens, arches and ruins.

Another of Buster Jones' "follies" - Cobwell Hall

One of the buildings featured is The Highwayman pub at Sourton, which has been transformed over 40 years by its late owner, Buster Jones, who died earlier this year.

The author, Philip Knowling, says it is a fine example of eccentricity at its best: "It's probably the most amazing pub in the country, let alone on Dartmoor.

"It was an ordinary range of granite buildings until Buster Jones came here at the end of the 1950s, when he started adding things to it and this is the result. It is truly wondrous."

Buster Jones' daughter, Sally Thompson, said that her father had never intended the pub to end up as it is now, but that it simply developed over the years.

"When he first came here it was a business enterprise," she said. "He obviously wanted to attract people and it snowballed from there. He got quite carried away I think."

A section of the exterior slate wall at The Card House, Ashburton

Among the unique touches are a piece of bog oak from the moor, which acts as a bar top, while the dartboard is fixed to a tree stump set into the wall. The pub also has a strong nautical theme in places.


The author describes the pub as a "three-dimensional riddle, a spot-the-hidden-object puzzle crossed with a maze. Inside and out, there's wit and whimsy, imagination and inspiration - plus a little macabre kitsch."

Buster didn't just leave his mark on the pub. Another of the buildings in Sourton - on the north-western edge of Dartmoor - is also down to his handiwork. Cobwell Hall used to be the village hall, but he turned it into his home.

The Card House

Then there's the Card House in Ashburton. It's also known as the House o' Cards or the Pack 'o' Cards, and is thought to have got its name as a former gaming house.

The building is in the historic North Street, which dates back to medieval times. The Card House itself was probably built during the 1600s, but it was renovated in 1989.

The most startling feature of the building is the card motifs, which must have been incorporated in the days when it was a gaming house.

What's that doing there..? The Pimple, near Tavistock

Many of the follies serve no purpose at all, other than to amuse.

But The Pimple near Tavistock in West Devon is different. It is actually the entrance to a reservoir, 11ft below.

In all, 22 follies are featured in the book - all selected by Knowling, who has visited follies all over the world, and has written articles about curiosities for the magazine, Devon Life, since 1997.

Dartmoor Follies, by Philip Knowling, is published by Orchard Publications of Chudleigh, price £4.95. Contact 01626 852714.