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
Video Player is loading.
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
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.