Grenofen Explained

Grenofen is a hamlet in Devon. It is located about 2 miles south of Tavistock on the A386 at the southwestern edge of Dartmoor National Park. Grenofen was mentioned as Grenefenne in 1238 in the Assize Rolls for Devon.^[1]

Geography

When the South Devon & Tavistock Railway was built by Brunel in the 1850s, several tunnels and bridges were necessary to cover the terrain. The most northerly tunnel of the railway was located in Grenofen.^[2] The tunnel is 374 yards long and today forms part of the Tavistock to Plymouth cycle route, part of the Drake's Trail.^{[3] [4]}

Part of the track forms the Gem Bridge, crossing the River Walkham, just south of Grenofen.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Book: J. E. B. Gover, A. Mawer, and F. M. Stenton. The Place-Names of Devon, Part 1 (EPNS 8). 1931. Cambridge.
2. Web site: Grenofen Tunnel. www.forgottenrelics.co.uk. 2017-02-19.
3. Web site: Grenofen Tunnel - Graces Guide. www.gracesguide.co.uk. en. 2017-02-19.
4. News: Devon cycle path includes Brunel tunnel and £2m viaduct. 2011-06-19. BBC News. 2017-02-19. en-GB.
5. Web site: Wednesday 5th September Gem Bridge and Grenofen Tunnel Open. mydartmoorwalks.blogspot.co.uk. 2017-02-19.