The Abbots way near the Avon reservoir marked the way between Buckland and Buckfast Abbey which were Cisterian houses. They were a religious order that traded extensive quantities of pack horse wool. The Abbot decreed to prevent tragedies on the moor that a number of granite crosses should be erected to mark the track between the various monasteries. By doing this travellers had guide stones that would safely lead them across the moor. He also ordained that every monk that trod the path must stop and pray at each cross for the souls of their missing brothers. The track became known as the Abbot's Way and today some of the old granite crosses can be seen pointing the way across the wastes of Dartmoor.

Boddy Collection