The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free
Otter Hunting on Dartmoor
The Eastern Counties Hunt unleashes otterhounds on a Dartmoor river
In partnership with:
Overview
An otter hunt on Dartmoor sees Eastern Counties hunters and otterhounds search the river bank for otters. The otters prove to be elusive. Otters have been hunted for pelts since the early 1700s and became to be seen as pests due to the damage caused to fish stocks. Ancient fish ponds holding reserved fish would attract otters and to protect stocks landlords encouraged hunts. The sixties saw a rapid decline in otter numbers.
The use of darts, arrows, traps are early hunting methods before the introduction of dogs and rifles. Otterhounds are a breed of dog which have been bred from water dogs and scent dogs. A true breed of otterhound is recorded in 1880 and today it is on the Vulnerable Breeds List. Otters and otter habitats are protected since 1978 and successful reintroduction has increased numbers. Otter hunting is now regarded as part of our hunting heritage past.
Related
Watch for free
The Way to the West The Way to the West
Travelogue 1947 17 mins Silent Location: Cheddar Gorge
Hitchcock went the wrong way! Head south by southwest with this travelogue from Bath to Cornwall.
Watch for free
Postbridge Clapper Bridge Postbridge Clapper Bridge
Current affairs 1963 1 mins Silent Location: Dartmoor
Dartmoor's foremost Saxon bridge receives traditional repair.
Watch for free
Recollections of Our Summer Holiday at Babbacombe South Devon August 1931 Recollections of Our Summer Holiday at Babbacombe South Devon August 1931
Amateur film 1931 10 mins Silent Location: Babbacombe
Bowling along country lanes in the family's Austin motor car plus dancing on the beach: the delights of a holiday in Devon
Watch for free
Cricketers visit Dartmoor Prison Cricketers visit Dartmoor Prison
News 1968 0 mins Silent Location: Dartmoor
Ex-England, England and County Cricketers visit Dartmoor Prison
Watch for free
Dartmoor Pony Trekking Dartmoor Pony Trekking
Current affairs 1962 4 mins Location: Dartmoor
A group of riders unbridle their passion for horses and moors
Watch for free
Dartmoor Ten Tors Dartmoor Ten Tors
Current affairs 1976 1 mins Silent Location: Dartmoor
Young people take the Ten Tors challenge on Dartmoor
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.