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Letterboxing is like a Treasure Hunt!
Simply a letterbox is a small box hidden in a particular place on Dartmoor, which enables people to prove they've been there by signing the book, and stamping their own book. It is also a very entertaining way to explorer regions of Dartmoor, and is a pastime that can be enjoyed by absolutely anyone. It is the searching for the boxes, and the walking in fantastic scenery that appeals to people
A letterbox contains typically a rubber stamp to mark your own book with, and a notebook to leave a message or, (as most people do nowadays), stamp with your own rubber stamp. Sometimes there will be an inkpad within the box, but this is a rarity. This is an example of one to be found on Barn Hill.
They come in all shapes and sizes, with the most common being and old army amunition tin, closely followed by a tupperware container. However the Army is keen for the use of the Amunition tins to be phased out in the interests of safety. (They use parts of Dartmoor to practise, and do not want people to get used to picking up these types of cotainers, especially if there is ammo in there!)
There are many different types, with the majority being in the same hiding place all of the time. However there are boxes that move around and can be anywhere on the moor. There are also aprasite boxes which attach themselves to another box in it's hiding place until someone moves it to another box's hiding place.
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Basically anywhere, except for on sites of historical interest or where wildlife lives eg Birds nests and badger sets. They are most likely to be found in nooks and crannies on one of the many Tors or other geographical sites. They can also be found in public buildings and Pubs in and around Dartmoor |
To look for the boxes it is best to have The Ordinance Survey Outdoor Leisure 28 Map as it is the only map which covers the whole of Dartmoor with a large enough scale to be able to pinpoint the rock you are standing next to.
It is also beneficial to have a compass, to take bearings, and some clues you get are entirely based on bearings!
You don't actually much to go letterboxing, but there are a few things that are advisable to take A map and Compass are very handy, and any sensible boxer will have these for safety reasons as well as enabling them to find the places they want more efficiently You will need an inkpad in order to use the rubber stamp. (Very few boxes have pads as they get stolen very often A book and a pen is also a must, so you can collect the stamps from the boxes, and sign the books within them A rubber stamp of your own, so that you can leave your mark in the book, is also becoming very common, and you only have to look through the books to discover that nearly everyone has one! Sensible clothing for the Dartmoor Conditions
Letterboxing first started last century, when a bottle was placed at Cranmere Pool by James Perrot, (a famous Dartmoor Guide), in 1854, for visitors to prove that they had been to this inaccessible place.
The number of boxes over the next few decades moved up to five, but they have grown exponentially this century, with over 21,365 registered, and many more to be found which are unrecorded, and has grown up into a pastime enjoyed by millions every year.
The box at Cranmere still exists, (It is now maintained by the Western Morning News), and it is one of only two on Dartmoor which has had a permamnent structure purpose built for the box. The other is at Ducks Pool, and they are the only two marked on the Ordinance Survey Map.
Basically anyone can put a box on Dartmoor, as long as it complies with the rules. However each person has to ensure that the box they place is maintained, ie It doesn't get waterlogged, and any missing pieces are replaced. When a box is placed it has to be registered with Tony Moore
Registration lasts 5 years, after which the box has to re-registered. This is to ensure that boxes are kept in good condition, and that people don't go searching for boxes that dissapeared 20 years ago
Official organisations can place boxes also, but not use them for blatant advertising!
The one hundred club is specifically for those people who have found over 100 of the boxes. You get a cloth badge and a car sticker, and are able to attend the bi-annual meeting at the Dartmoor Prison Officers Social Club in Princetown, where a special letterbox makes an appearance!
There are over 12,000 members of the 100 club. There are also special badges for those who have visited 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 boxes. A special badge exists for those with over 5,000 box visits.
As the pastime involves a lot of people walking with their dogs, a 100 club for dogs exists for dogs who have visited 100 mboxes with their owners, but it is safe to say that the dogs probably did not collect the stamps themselves as it would be very difficult to open the box with paws! And whether the dogs is aware he has visited 100 boxes is also unsure!
Other useful sites to visit for information regarding Dartmoor and Letterboxing
Please contact me with any relevant information about letterboxes, ie any new ones discovered, unsual boxes, or boxes that you have placed and want people to know about