LETTERBOXING
Lydford is part of a network of thousands of letter boxes scattered across Dartmoor, the original being more than 150 years old! Some can be found next to log fires in the guest lounges of its country houses, whilst others are hidden on the remotest of tors and take many an hour of hard walking to find. Join the many enthusiasts who stay with us and take part in this pursuit, our guest record, set by one of Lydford House's regular families, stands at over 200 stamps collected in a week!

Dartmoor letterboxing can be enjoyed by anyone.

BUT WHAT IS IT?

Basically it is rather like a treasure hunt - an enjoyable walk on Dartmoor in fantastic scenery punctuated by searches for letterboxes. There are thousands of them hidden across Dartmoor, under stones and in all sorts of nooks and crannies. They are found in waterproof containers, containing an ink pad, rubber stamp to mark your own book, and a visitor book. The stamps vary considerably in style, mostly being commemorative, funny, quirky, illustrating wildlife on Dartmoor, or depicting the site in some way.

Clues are available to help find them, but it is not always easy! That is part of the fun. Now that letterboxing is so popular, there are books available and various websites with clues, and they often get passed informally from person to person or group to group.

You will need a pen, a small notebook for the stamps, and the usual gear needed when out walking. When a letterbox is found, there is a ritual to follow. Stamp your notebook, and note with it the date and time. Put your details in the box’s visitor book, pack up the box and replace carefully. Once your collection starts building up, you will be well and truly hooked! Not all letterboxes are on the open Moor. Some are held in fixed locations, such as pubs, cafes, hotels, shops, attractions and even some ice cream vans – but you do have to ask! They are not on display. Getting these stamps is an easy way to build up your collection and can often be combined with having a relaxing drink, ice cream or delicious meal.

Why not combine the pleasure of being on Dartmoor with letterboxing? It might be the start of a fascinating and pleasurable hobby. Overleaf are details of our members who hold letterboxes. Why not pay them a visit?

History and origins

Modern-day letterboxing's origins can be traced to Dartmoor, England in 1854. William Crossing in his Guide to Dartmoor states that a well known Dartmoor guide (James Perrott) placed a bottle for visitors cards at Cranmere Pool on the northern moor in 1854. From this, hikers on the moors began to leave a letter or postcard inside a box along the trail (sometimes addressed to themselves, sometimes a friend or relative) — hence the name 'letterboxing'. The next person to discover the site would collect the postcards and mail them. The first Dartmoor letterboxes were so remote and well-hidden that only the most determined walkers ended up finding them, allowing weeks to pass before the letter made its way home. Increasingly, however, letterboxes have been located in relatively accessible sites. As a result, the tradition of leaving a letter or postcard in the box has been forgotten.

 

 

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