Blowing House

The chimney stack is what catches your eye first - a solitary brick tower rising from the moorland near South Brent, oddly defiant against the Devon sky. This is Blowing House, a tin smelting works that's been silent since the 18th century, and it's genuinely fascinating if you're into industrial archaeology or just fancy a proper walk with some substance to it.

What you're looking at are the remains of a tin streaming operation where ore from the moors was processed and smelted. The chimney is the star turn, but the site layout itself tells the story of how these places worked - there's more to see than just stonework if you take time to look around. It's the kind of place that appeals most to heritage walkers and history types rather than families after a quick outing, though kids interested in how things are made will find it intriguing.

The walk out here is half the charm. It sits on moorland that rewards exploration, and if you're based at Ashbourne Woods nearby, it makes a solid afternoon detour rather than a destination in itself. Allow an hour or so including the walk from the car. There's no admission fee that we can establish, and no set hours - it's outdoors and accessible year-round, though winter weather can be brutal up here.

Bring decent boots. The moors are boggy in places, and the wind doesn't let up much. It's worth the trek if industrial heritage speaks to you; less so if you need facilities or a proper visitor experience.