North Hessary Tor transmitting station, Communication mast in Dartmoor National Park, England
North Hessary Tor is a broadcast transmission facility in Dartmoor National Park featuring a tall lattice steel mast reaching 196 meters skyward. The structure is anchored by steel cables and serves multiple radio stations, with equipment housed in a building at its base.
The station began broadcasting in December 1954 using temporary equipment before the permanent structure was finished in 1956. This expansion was part of the BBC's efforts to extend radio coverage across southwestern England during the 1950s.
The station's building uses stone sourced locally, which connects the facility visually to the surrounding moorland. This choice reflects how broadcast infrastructure was integrated into the natural landscape rather than imposed upon it.
The site is located on open moorland with limited public access, so advance arrangements are needed for close viewing. The exposed location means visitors should prepare for changeable weather and bring sturdy footwear.
The facility sits at roughly 510 meters elevation, making it one of the highest broadcast locations in the country. This elevation allows radio signals to reach across Devon and into Cornwall with exceptional range.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
